The European Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) sector is a vital engine in the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology landscape, and it’s currently buzzing with opportunity for skilled professionals. As of May 2025, the sector is not just growing; it’s undergoing a dynamic transformation, leading to a significant demand for talent. If you’re a job seeker in this space, understanding where the current opportunities lie, and crucially, why they exist, can give you a distinct advantage. This article is designed to help you navigate this exciting terrain, stay informed, and confidently discuss the sector’s development.

The European CDMO market is robust, with 2025 valuations estimated between $USD 37.98 billion and $USD 45.68 billion, and forecasts pointing towards an impressive $USD 70.05 billion to $USD 88.84 billion by 2034. This translates to a strong and sustained need for a skilled workforce, driven by consistent growth (projected CAGR of 7.04% to 7.62% between 2025-2034). This isn’t a fleeting trend; it’s a structural expansion.

Why the Surge? Key Drivers of CDMO Hiring in Europe

Several interconnected factors are fueling the current and anticipated demand for talent:

• Market Growth & Sustained Investment: The overall biopharmaceutical market is expanding, supported by increasingly complex R&D pipelines. A significant rebound in biopharma venture capital funding in 2024 (over 20% year-on-year growth) is now translating into increased R&D spending in 2025. This directly fuels demand for CDMO services as more projects move through the development pipeline. Lonza, for example, saw early-stage inquiries surge by over 40% in 2024. This wave of investment means more projects requiring the specialized capabilities CDMOs offer.
• Technological Leaps & Specialization: The industry is witnessing rapid innovation with the rise of complex biologics and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) like cell and gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, peptides, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Global sales for ADCs, for instance, are set for a CAGR of around 20% over the next five years. CDMOs are investing heavily in these specialized capabilities (e.g., AGC Biologics’ new Cell and Gene Technologies Division, 3PBIOVIAN’s ATMP facility investments). This shift demands a workforce with cutting-edge scientific and technical expertise beyond traditional manufacturing.
• Expanding Horizons: New Facilities & Service Lines: Direct and immediate catalysts for recruitment are the physical expansion of facilities and the launch of new services. Numerous CDMOs across Europe are undertaking significant capital expenditure projects. Lonza is expanding in Switzerland, Siegfried is operationalizing its viral vector facility in Zurich, Recipharm has enhanced sterile filling in Germany, Axplora is investing in API production in France, PCI Pharma Services is expanding packaging in Ireland, and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is significantly expanding its Danish site. Hiring for these projects often starts well before facilities are fully operational, beginning with project management and engineering, followed by operational and QC staff.
• The Quality Imperative: A Stringent Regulatory Landscape: The pharmaceutical industry operates under rigorous standards like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), with recent updates like the revised EU GMP Annex 1 further intensifying compliance. This necessitates a robust and highly skilled workforce in Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and regulatory affairs. These roles are critical for ensuring product safety and efficacy, especially with increasingly complex therapies.

Where the Jobs Are: European Hiring Hotspots & In-Demand Roles (May 2025)

Opportunities aren’t evenly spread. Certain regions and specific skill sets are experiencing particularly high demand:

Geographical Hotbeds:

• Switzerland (Visp, Stein, Basel, Zurich): A nucleus for advanced biologics and ATMPs. Lonza’s investments in drug products and ADCs, and Siegfried’s new viral vector facility, are key drivers.
• Germany (Minden, Leipzig, Wasserburg, Bovenau & others): A CDMO powerhouse with diverse activities including API manufacturing (Siegfried), liquid fill/finish (Adragos), sterile fill/finish (Recipharm), and biologics manufacturing (Richter Biologics). FUJIFILM’s large Danish expansion also impacts this region’s talent pool.
• Ireland (Dundalk, Stamullen, Athlone): Rapidly emerging as a strategic hub for pharmaceutical packaging, especially injectables and drug-device combinations, spearheaded by PCI Pharma Services’ expansions.
• United Kingdom (Slough, Cambridge, Swindon & others): Hosts key R&D sites (Lonza) and specialized manufacturing (FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Catalent).
• France (Mourenx, Le Mans, Livron-sur-Drôme & others): Seeing significant investments in API manufacturing, particularly GLP-1s (Axplora) and ADCs, alongside broad operational needs at various CDMOs.
• Italy (Milan/Bresso, Ferentino, Monza): Milan is becoming a focal point for Cell & Gene Therapy (AGC Biologics). Other CDMOs are active in operations and talent development.
• Spain (Pamplona, Madrid): Specialized hiring driven by biologics/ATMPs in Pamplona (3PBIOVIAN) and major sterile injectable manufacturing expansion near Madrid (ROVI).
• Benelux (Netherlands – Geleen, Oss; Belgium – Gosselies, Bornem): Important facilities for companies like Lonza, Catalent, and Thermo Fisher, with roles in MSAT, engineering, operations, and quality.

Predominant Types of Roles in Demand:

The increasing complexity of the CDMO sector is reflected in the roles being sought:

• Specialized Scientific & Technical Roles: High demand for experts in biologics process development (upstream and downstream), ATMP manufacturing (viral vectors, cell therapy, pDNA), antibody-drug conjugation, peptide chemistry, lyophilization, and advanced analytical techniques.
• Manufacturing Operations & Engineering: New and expanded facilities require skilled operators, technicians, supervisors, process engineers, automation engineers, and maintenance specialists, especially for sterile fill/finish and large-scale production.
• Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC): Universally sought after are QA officers, QC analysts (bioassays, complex molecule characterization), validation specialists, and regulatory compliance experts due to stringent GMP requirements.
• MSAT (Manufacturing Science and Technology) / Tech Transfer: Critical roles bridging R&D and commercial manufacturing, involving process scale-up, technology transfer, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Project Management: Essential for overseeing large-scale facility expansions, new product introductions, and complex client projects.

There’s a notable need for both highly qualified scientists (PhD/MSc level) for R&D and process development in novel areas, and large teams of skilled technicians, engineers, and operators for GMP manufacturing.

Companies on the Grow: Who’s Hiring?

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, several CDMOs are showing strong hiring indicators as of May 2025 due to strategic expansions and investments. Keep an eye on companies such as:

• Lonza: Significant hiring across its Swiss sites (Visp, Stein, Basel) and other European locations, driven by expansions in drug products, ADCs, and bioconjugation.
• Siegfried Holding AG: Strong recruitment for specialized roles in cell and gene therapy (Zurich), API production (Minden), and R&D (Evionnaz) as new facilities become operational.
• Recipharm: Actively hiring across Europe, particularly in Germany (Wasserburg) for sterile filling, and for roles supporting its focus on sterile fill/finish and high-potency products.
• 3P Biopharmaceuticals (now 3PBIOVIAN): Expecting significant hiring in Spain (biologics) and Finland (new ATMP facility), with needs for expertise in their new AAV and pDNA platforms.
• AGC Biologics: Major hiring focus on Cell & Gene Therapy roles, especially in Milan, Italy, following the launch of a new dedicated division. Copenhagen is also active.
• Axplora: Significant recruitment anticipated in Mourenx, France, for its new GLP-1/peptide API facility (2025-2026) and in Le Mans for ADC payload manufacturing.
• PCI Pharma Services: A substantial recruitment drive in Ireland (Dundalk and Stamullen) for new and expanding packaging facilities for injectables and drug-device combinations.
• FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies (FDB): A major and sustained hiring drive is expected at its Hillerød, Denmark site due to a DKK 6 billion expansion, covering a wide range of roles.
• ROVI Pharma Industrial Services: Substantial hiring expected in Spain (Madrid) to support a major expansion in sterile fill/finish capacity, aiming to become a global Tier I CDMO in injectables by 2026.
• Adragos Pharma: Hiring anticipated in Leipzig, Germany, related to a new liquid filling line, with ongoing recruitment across other European sites.
• Richter Biologics: Active hiring at its Bovenau, Germany site due to production expansion, focusing on QC, lab management, fermentation, and engineering.
• Catalent Pharma Solutions: Broad-based hiring across European sites in manufacturing, operations, and quality. The recent acquisition by Novo Holdings may influence future strategy.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Patheon CDMO services): Ongoing hiring across Europe, with numerous internships in Italy. An acquisition expected to close by end of 2025 may also lead to future hiring.
• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (Life Science Services / CDMO): Actively hiring for commercial and technical support roles to drive CDMO business, particularly in Germany, France, and Benelux.

Job seekers are strongly encouraged to visit the official careers pages of these and other CDMOs for the latest vacancies.

Future-Proof Your Career: Skills for Tomorrow’s CDMO Landscape

The European CDMO sector’s growth is a long-term trend, with major projects extending for several years. To thrive, consider the evolving skill set:

• Embrace Specialization: Expertise in high-growth areas like ATMP manufacturing, advanced analytical techniques, sterile processing of biologics, ADCs, and peptides will be paramount.
• Develop Multidisciplinary Expertise: Professionals who can bridge scientific understanding with GMP manufacturing, manage complex projects with novel modalities, and understand regulatory compliance will be highly valued.
• Boost Your Digital Literacy: Familiarity with AI applications (e.g., in route scouting) and advanced automation in manufacturing is becoming increasingly critical.
• Commit to Continuous Learning: The pace of innovation demands ongoing professional development. Look for companies that invest in talent development.

The “war for talent,” especially in niche segments like cell and gene therapy, is real. By understanding these trends and focusing on in-demand skills, you can position yourself for success.

Your Opportunity Awaits

The European CDMO market in May 2025 offers a wealth of opportunities for motivated and skilled job seekers. By understanding the drivers of growth, the geographical hotspots, the types of roles in demand, and the evolving skill requirements, you can confidently navigate this dynamic landscape. Stay informed, tailor your approach, and you’ll be well-equipped to contribute to and benefit from this exciting phase of industry development. Good luck!