Strengthening Your Life Sciences CV for 2026

A strong CV in 2026 needs to show your core expertise, the results you have delivered, and how your experience fits the direction of the life sciences industry. Employers look for people who can adapt, work across functions, and contribute to wider organisational goals. A clear and well-structured CV helps hiring managers understand your strengths quickly.

As you read on, you will find practical guidance on presenting digital capability, cross-functional experience, and measurable achievements in a way that supports your career goals.

Key considerations for 2026 life sciences CVs

Highlight impact and measurable outcomes

Hiring managers want more than an overview of your day-to-day responsibilities. They want to understand the value you contributed, the challenges you helped solve, and the meaningful outcomes you delivered. In a sector where accuracy, compliance, timelines, and data integrity directly influence scientific progress and patient safety, measurable results carry significant weight.

Your CV should show how your work improved a process, supported a milestone, reduced risk, or strengthened team performance. This applies across R&D, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, clinical operations, medical affairs, and commercial functions. When results are supported by numbers, such as percentages, time reductions, error-rate changes, cost savings, or throughput improvements, they become stronger and easier for hiring teams to evaluate.

This approach also helps your CV perform better in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI-driven screening tools, which prioritise language tied to achievement and quantitative outcomes.

Example: “Improved assay reproducibility by 18% by updating protocol steps and introducing a standardised QC checklist.”

This type of example shows clear impact, the method used to achieve it, and a specific metric that demonstrates value.

 

Demonstrate cross-functional and relevant expertise

Life sciences workflows are highly interconnected. Scientists collaborate with regulatory teams to prepare filings, R&D teams rely on data teams for analysis, manufacturing partners work closely with quality assurance, and clinical teams coordinate across sites, vendors, and internal project groups. Because of this, employers prioritise candidates who can work effectively across functions and communicate clearly with colleagues in different specialities.

Your CV should reflect where you collaborated beyond your immediate role or contributed to multi-team initiatives. This might include supporting regulatory documentation, working with manufacturing on technology transfer, partnering with data engineers to introduce new analysis tools, or aligning with commercial teams on technical content for launches.

Cross-functional contributions show that you understand how your work fits into broader scientific, regulatory, or commercial goals. They also signal your ability to work in modern, matrixed environments where communication and shared ownership are essential.

Example: “Partnered with regulatory and clinical teams to prepare documentation for an IND submission, reducing revision cycles and improving overall submission quality.”

This demonstrates collaboration, influence beyond your core function, and a clear improvement tied to your involvement.

 

Show adaptability and continuous learning

Life sciences as an industry continues to evolve rapidly as organisations adopt new technologies, refine regulatory frameworks, and introduce advanced therapeutic platforms. Employers look for professionals who can adjust to new systems, workflows, and expectations without losing momentum. Demonstrating adaptability on your CV helps hiring managers see that you can navigate change while maintaining high-quality work.

Continuous learning is equally important. Professionals who invest in expanding their skills, whether through training, certifications, digital tools, new research methodologies, or exposure to different environments, are better equipped to meet the sector’s increasing complexity. This holds true at every career stage, from early-career scientists building foundational knowledge to senior leaders adopting new digital or regulatory competencies.

Highlight any relevant training, courses, certifications, or expanded responsibilities that show you can keep pace with emerging industry needs. Include examples that demonstrate how you adapted to new technology, transitioned between teams, or took on work outside your initial job scope.

Example: “Completed GCP training and transitioned from a lab-based role into supporting early-phase clinical operations, improving coordination between research and clinical teams.”

This example shows both adaptability and a deliberate investment in skill development, two qualities employers consistently value.

 

Next steps for life science professionals

To stay competitive, shape your CV around the skills and responsibilities gaining the most attention across the sector. Focus on achievements that show how you improved quality, supported digital processes, strengthened compliance, or contributed to operational efficiency. Show where you have worked across teams and functions, as this reflects how organisations now structure their projects.

Think about how your strengths align with the wider hiring landscape. Identify where your experience creates the most value, whether in research, operations, manufacturing, regulatory work, or commercial activity. A specialist recruiter can help you understand where your background fits and what roles match your long-term goals.

Registering your CV gives you access to active roles and updates on changing hiring trends. This helps you act quickly when roles appear that align with your skills.

For deeper guidance on advancing your career and help with structuring and positioning your CV, explore our recent article on top hiring trends in 2026.

 

Key takeaways for life sciences candidates in 2026

• Demand is rising for people who combine scientific knowledge with digital, regulatory, or sustainability experience
• Specific and measurable achievements help your CV make a clear first impression
• Cross-functional work adds value across all areas of the sector
• Updating your CV regularly positions you well for upcoming opportunities

 

Partner with EPM Scientific to advance your life sciences career

EPM Scientific supports life sciences professionals across research, clinical development, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial functions. We work with organisations across global markets and provide permanent, contract, and multi-hire support. Our teams have helped thousands of specialists build long-term careers.

Learn more about our approach, values, and global reach through Our Story.