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Life sciences (human health)

Scotland is renowned for medical firsts like anaesthesia, bone grafts, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which were all developed here. It continues to be at the forefront of world-leading research in life sciences for human health, catalysing medical breakthroughs and developing revolutionary treatments.

Life sciences (human health) in Scotland

  • Industry-leading research facilities

    15 of Scotland's universities excel in medtech, life sciences and healthcare.

  • A booming sector

    Scotland is home to more than 500 human health companies, from global organisations to homegrown start-ups.

  • Demand for roles

    Scotland plans to increase jobs in the human health sector by 117% by 2030.

Scotland is doing life-enhancing work across medical devices and technologies (medtech), pharmaceuticals, and digital health and care.

We have one of the most accessible, well-connected, and collaborative life sciences clusters in Europe, as well as four medical schools. Our culture of world-leading research means you can explore specialities like precision medicine or advanced therapies at the forefront of science, right here.

So, bring your skills to Scotland and develop a rewarding career, benefit from cutting-edge facilities, and find opportunities in a £4.9 billion sector.

Your skills are in demand

Steady investment and innovation continue to create job opportunities in life sciences (human health) in Scotland, which employed 22,600 people in 2024.

And with the sector aiming to grow turnover to more than £10 billion by 2030, skilled individuals are in demand.

As a home to many big-name industry innovators, developing your life sciences (human health) career here gives you a unique opportunity to make an impact at leading global organisations.

Companies with a sponsor license include:

Medtech

Scotland excels in diagnostics, imaging, therapeutic devices, and more. The wealth of organisations in our medtech cluster mean you can put your skills to work in a range of areas like device development and design, physics and phonics, bioengineering, or molecular diagnostics.

There are also many opportunities to build expertise in associated sectors. This includes device regulation and health economics, which are both in high demand for bringing medical technologies to market.

Some of the medtech companies with a sponsor license in Scotland include:

Digital health

Digital health is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world. While Scotland already has more than 7000 people working in the sector, there's a demand for new talent to continue its growth, particularly in the design and delivery of digital solutions.

In-demand skills include clinical and social care informatics, big data, quality and assurance, cyber security, and patient stratification. We have more than 135 companies working in this sector where you can explore diverse opportunities.

Digital health companies with a sponsor license in Scotland include:

Scotland is home to globally renowned companies as well as innovative homegrown industry leaders. So, whatever your skills and experience, you can find your next role right here.  

Find the latest life sciences (human health) roles in Scotland 

We’re constantly innovating across the life sciences (human health) sector. So, whatever your passion, and however niche your expertise, you’ll find a home for it in Scotland. 

Find life sciences (human health) jobs on LinkedInopens in a new window 

How Scotland supports life sciences (human health)

Our academic institutions are renowned for making great strides through research and development. This is backed by investment to develop new products, processes and opportunities. 

Groundbreaking medical technology research is happening at 15 of our universities across the country. In fact, Scotland receives 19% of biosciences funding given to UK universities.

In the medtech sector, cutting-edge work and unique proof-of-concept and trials continue, all backed by invaluable data on disease. We also have 80,000 patients participating in government-funded projects.

Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Strategyopens in a new window lays out the Scottish Government’s support for growth in the digital sector. It identifies how Scotland plans to use technology to reshape and improve services, support person-centred care, and improve outcomes for all. 

The sector at a glance

Scotland’s life sciences have grown strongly following the Covid 19 Pandemic. Many of the technologies developed during that time have helped accelerate growth in the health care sector. 

Scotland is an unrivalled destination to develop new solutions for healthcare, with world-class health informatics systems. We have over 500 life sciences companies focused on human health in Scotland.

These are located across the country, with key hubs including:

  • Edinburgh BioQuarter, a 160-acre life sciences hub hosting 8000 clinicians and researchers and BioHubs in Dundee and Aberdeen
  • The Medicine Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC), Scotland’s new advanced manufacturing innovation district (AMIDS) near Paisley. One of its projects is a partnership with the UK Government to create a new £26 million centre for oligonucleotide manufacturing excellence. Oligonucleotides hold immense potential to revolutionise treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.

We have a strong culture of research, innovation and creativity. Our National Health Service, NHS Scotlandopens in a new window is aligned with academia and industry partners, providing unique opportunities for co-development and clinical testing.

Collaboration and innovation

Scotland has an unrivalled ecosystem of research, development, and manufacturing, supported by government, academia, the commercial and public sectors, and industry bodies. These networks have given rise to an innovative environment where you can build your skills and do life-changing work that makes a difference.

In medtech and digital health and care, eight of the country’s state-of-the-art innovation centres provide support, expertise, and dedicated facilities across a range of research topics.

These centres include:

Scotland is also home to iCAIRD (Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics)opens in a new window, a world-class centre of excellence focusing on the application of artificial intelligence to digital diagnostics.

Scotland’s expertise in areas such as precision medicine and Informatics, coupled with defined research and development infrastructure, means you can be at the cutting edge of research. Continuously innovating, Scotland’s laboratories can replicate almost any environment in the world, from city-related problems to rural and remote island healthcare challenges.

We have 15 Scottish universities performing world-leading research within life sciences, healthcare, and related disciplines. These include the University of Dundee, the top-ranking university for biological sciences, and the University of Edinburgh. Their School of Informatics is the largest computer science department in the UK.

Our wider community of networks and industry initiatives create connections and opportunities for collaboration. Some of these include:

Quality of life

Scotland has lots to offer outside of work. 
 
Wherever you decide to work in Scotland, you’ll discover welcoming communities, rich history and vibrant culture. Enjoy shorter commutes, world-class education, free healthcare, and plenty of green space on your doorstep. 

Building a career in Scotland comes at a lower cost of living than many other major locations.  You’ll benefit from flexibility for hybrid and remote working while being fully supported by reliable digital connectivity. 

As one of the best-connected places in Europe, Scotland has six airports with daily direct flights to 150 destinations worldwide. We also have fast and frequent rail links to all parts of the UK. 

Moving to Scotland

We welcome people from around the world who want to build exceptional careers across Scotland. 

Learn more about moving to Scotland on Scotland.org opens in a new window