What Candidates Want in Aberdeen in the Health, Social care & Life Sciences Sectors.

Recent survey results from our candidate questionnaire were interesting. They suggest a cautious market environment where candidates might indeed prefer permanent placements over other avenues.

Recent national data from the REC and KPMG “Report on Jobs” may help explain the attraction to permanent roles, as employers raise permanent salaries making stable employment more appealing to candidates, increasing the attractiveness.

Here is a concise breakdown of current candidate demand from our wee survey:

79% seeking Full time employment,

21% seeking Part time employment, where;

83% seeking Permanent placement as their first choice,

10% seeking Contract placement as their first choice,

7% seeking Temporary placement as their first choice.

17.2% — Life Sciences, Laboratory and Biotech Roles

Candidates are looking for laboratory-based, quality control, microbiology, and biotech pathways, with the preference of opportunities in Aberdeen.

10.3% — Nursing Roles (RGN, Clinical Lead)

Interest is focused on clinical roles with leadership potential and career progression.

3.4% — Data and Technical Roles

A smaller but relevant pool of cross-disciplinary talent interested in analysis and engineering.

10.3% — Other Specialist Roles

This includes Legal professionals, Air-Medic Pilots and Doctors.

What This Means for Employers

• Band 2–3 care roles offer the strongest recruitment pipeline and fastest time-to-fill potential.

• Life sciences employers can benefit from a motivated pool of early-career and technical talent.

• Nursing candidates are seeking mentorship, progression, highlighting the importance of internal development pathways.

• Specialist candidates indicate an increasingly diverse regional talent landscape attracted to the stability of the healthcare, social care and life sciences sector.

• There is support to collaborate and also alleviate the burden of employers’ ability to facilitate visa sponsorship in Scotland where eligibility is met, to take on those whom require it.

At Sorcha Recruitment, we’re strengthening partnerships across Aberdeen to match motivated talent with organisations that value growth, quality, and long-term development.

Question for employers:
We’d love to hear which roles are the hardest for you to recruit right now, and why?

Feel free to DM us here or email [email protected] or feel free to give us a bell on 07823 648 423, thank you.

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