1. cell biologist

Competition for top cell biologists has long been at a fever pitch, and now that competition is increasingly stratified along geographic lines as well. For companies headquartered around major medical research hubs in California and Massachusetts, for example, it has become nearly impossible to find the talented resources they need. So if you've got the degree and the skills to land a position as a cell biologist at a life sciences firm, you can pretty much write your own ticket.

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2. clinical research associate (CRA)

The best CRAs boast a rare blend of soft and hard skills: interpersonal skills (site monitoring), familiarity with complex technical documentation (case report forms), digital savvy (Google Cloud Platform), plus a whole lot more. Well-rounded professionals, they’re also extraordinarily hard to come by, which means compensation is competitive. Depending on skills, experience and location, clinical research associate salaries can range from $51k to $136k. For these reasons and more, CRAs are on our list of in-demand jobs in life sciences.

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3. medical writer

Medical writers are absolutely indispensable to the operations of healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceutical companies alike, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, making complex scientific information accessible to the general public is no small task. As such, medical writers are well compensated, with salaries ranging anywhere from $82k to $134k. Those who have any kind of significant experience are extremely in demand.

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4. quality assurance (QA) specialist

QA specialists ensure the highest standards are upheld at all times and across all areas of operations. Plus, these professionals touch everything from research and development (R&D) to clinical trials, and their work has implications that can make or break high-stakes discovery efforts. Good QA specialists are worth their weight in gold, and mid-range salaries are anywhere from $85k to $111k.

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5. regulatory affairs associate

“After X years of development and Y dollars invested, is this drug going to make it to market or not?” For many life sciences companies, that is literally the question — and how it gets answered is partly a regulatory equation. So, is it really a surprise that there’s red-hot demand for savvy regulatory affairs associates? These are skilled pros who excel at navigating complexity, and life sciences companies can’t effectively navigate without them. While compensation varies by specialty and location, entry-level regulatory associates can expect to make at least $46k, and those with more experience can make upwards of $120k.

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essential life sciences skills and certifications