Oncology Job Market Heats Up as Industry Forecasts Significant Growth

The global oncology market is poised for substantial expansion, with projections indicating a near doubling by 2034, according to Towards Healthcare. This growth forecast is driving a surge in job opportunities across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, particularly in oncology-related roles. Industry experts suggest that oncology remains a "safe bet" for job seekers, given the constant need for innovation in cancer treatment.

Companies Ramping Up Oncology Hiring

Several major pharmaceutical and biotech companies are actively recruiting for oncology positions, reflecting the industry's focus on cancer research and treatment:

• AbbVie has over 20 open positions, including roles for clinical pharmacology directors and medical directors in oncology and specialty patient safety.
• Amgen is offering more than a dozen roles, such as senior oncology specialists and global safety managers in hematology oncology.
• Daiichi Sankyo has posted over 20 openings, including directors of translational pathology and global oncology medical affairs positions.
• Moderna is seeking to fill about 10 positions in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a focus on cancer vaccine research and clinical biomarkers in oncology.

Other companies with significant oncology job openings include Foundation Medicine, IDEAYA Biosciences, Recursion, Regeneron, and Takeda. These positions span various locations across the United States, with some offering remote or hybrid work options.

Diverse Roles and Specializations in Demand

The oncology job market is showing demand for a wide range of specializations:

• Clinical Development: Companies like Foundation Medicine and IDEAYA Biosciences are seeking professionals for roles such as principal scientists in clinical development and vice presidents of early oncology clinical development.
• Research and Innovation: Positions in cancer vaccine research, bioinformatics, and translational biology are available at companies like Moderna and Recursion.
• Regulatory Affairs: Regeneron is looking for a vice president of regulatory affairs strategy in oncology and hematology.
• Medical Affairs and Education: Roles such as oncology nurse educators and medical analytics specialists are in demand at companies like AbbVie and Daiichi Sankyo.

Bryan Blair, vice president of life sciences at talent solutions firm GQR, emphasizes the stability of oncology careers: "In terms of safety, that's probably just about as safe as they come is oncology. I don't think that we'll ever see massive reductions in companies' oncology portfolios compared to other areas."