Biotech Job Openings in Madison, Wisconsin

Last updated: September 5, 2024
Started January 9, 2018 by Bryan Husk

Madison Biotech Jobs Continue Hovering Near 300

Just over 300 biotechnology job openings were tallied in September 2023, and again in March 2024. Now in September 2024 the job count has slipped to 291.

This continues the lowest job total trend since this project began tracking local biotech job offerings in 2018. At no point between 2018 and 2023 had the total biotech jobs count dipped below 400. The job count drop in September 2023 to just above 300 marked a 35% dip from the 464 recorded at the start of  that same year.

One might optimistically assess the most recent 291 job openings tally as a sign that Madison’s biotech hiring is holding steady; less enthusiastically, it may reflect a slowing trend in biotech hiring.

How should these numbers be interpreted and what do they suggest for biotechnology job seekers?

On a positive note, there continue to be job openings at most Madison biotech companies. Some like Catalent, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Exact Sciences, and Promega have even increased hiring over the past six months. Other companies like drug target research company, Empirico, are steadily expanding their workforce and company footprint.

Maybe the strongest sign of an encouraging future, in July 2024 the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, led by BioForward Wisconsin, was awarded $49 million by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) for its Phase 2 proposal. The federal grant will be used to support a collection of projects statewide to fuel advances in personalized medicine and enhanced healthcare outcomes.

“This Phase 2 Tech Hub award represents a significant opportunity for Wisconsin to showcase its strengths across many sectors of our biohealth industry and statewide manufacturing capabilities,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of BioForward Wisconsin.

Early projections estimate the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub will generate up to 30,000 new quality jobs and as much as $9 billion in regional GDP growth over the next decade.

One thing is for sure: Job candidates should prepare for a competitive job market by developing cross-functional skills and expanding their professional network.

Madison Biotechnology Job Opportunity Highlights

Caution Amid Uncertainty

Madison’s commercial biotechnology industry has proven remarkably resilient over the past twenty years, but economic headwinds have challenged local biotech companies.

The “Great Recession” mortgage lending crisis dramatically slowed the nation’s economy from 2007-2009, but Madison and its dynamic biotechnology industry weathered the disruption remarkably well. As evidence, the M.S. in Biotechnology had no difficulty recruiting new students at the time, and program alumni reported few problems finding employment.

A decade later, facing global economic disruption due to the COVID pandemic, Madison’s biotech industry revved up. Local hiring in the biotech economy DOUBLED as COVID testing and vaccine development money flooded the market. The inevitable decline of COVID-related Federal funding, though, contributed to some company layoffs witnessed over the last 24 months.

But that’s not the sole reason hiring has lessened:

Slowdowns in global economic markets outside the United States have contributed to negative quarterly sales and revenue for many American biotech companies, including some in Madison.

Lower revenue has forced some companies to cut back their labor costs through rounds of layoffs or by opting not to fill new or existing job needs. And while inflation has lowered, persistent high interest rates continue to elevate operational expenses and raise the cost of borrowing money and making capital investments. Until these factors abate, biotech companies will remain cautious when making new hires.

Madison Remains Resilient

There are many reasons for optimism. As mentioned earlier, Madison’s biotechnology industry is remarkably resilient. Most local biotech companies are still hiring, but just a lower numbers.

The largest local biotech companies like Eurofins, Exact Sciences, MilliporeSigma, Promega Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PPD), and Labcorp Drug Development show continued signs of growth. Another positive, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is nearing completion of its $250 million manufacturing buildings in Verona. Finally, the University Research Park, home to dozens of biotech start-up companies, and Forward BIOLABS, Madison’s co-works lab space for biotech start-ups, are both operating near capacity.

Whether you are an entry-level bench scientist or a senior executive, Madison biotechnology employment opportunities still exist at all levels of career advancement.

How does this effect you?

Job candidates need comprehensive technical skills, cross-functional experience, and broad knowledge of the biotech industry to best compete in a tighter labor market.

It might be the right time to consider the M.S. in Biotechnology Program to expand your skillset, knowledge, and professional credentials as the biotech job market becomes more competitive.

Many biotechnology companies offer tuition reimbursement to attract and retain talented employees.

Companies are finding and keeping their most talented employees by supporting their career development through education in advanced degree programs likes the M.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Consistent with this corporate strategy, most students in the M.S. in Biotechnology Program working full time receive tuition support from their employer for at least a portion of their tuition, if not the total cost.

Since the degree was launched in 2002, biotechnology companies have recognized the value of the program’s industry-focused curriculum. Corporate leaders with employees in the program praise students who can apply functional knowledge of business, legal and regulatory frameworks toward their company’s push to development, manufacture and commercialize new biotechnology products.

If you are biotechnology professionals in Madison:

Apply to the M.S. in Biotechnology program to help accelerate your career potential. Most M.S. in Biotechnology graduate students work full time while obtaining their degree. Reach out to your mentors and discuss how your goals fit within your company’s strategic plans. Work with them to gain company support so that you can achieve educational and employment success. Don’t forget to ask about your employer’s tuition reimbursement policy.

If you are considering relocating to Madison:

The biotechnology community is always looking for new talent. Qualified applicants to the M.S. in Biotechnology program are very likely to find full-time employment within the local biotechnology community. Contact the M.S. in Biotechnology Program to help you determine which local biotech companies best match for your background and experience and present you with the most favorable opportunities for hire.

If you have an interest in biotechnology:

You’ve probably already thought about working in the biotechnology industry. Now is the ideal time to make that career leap! Get invaluable work experience and consider applying to the M.S. in Biotechnology graduate degree program. Contact the M.S. in Biotechnology Program to determine how you can get started working in the fast-paced, rapidly expanding field of biotechnology.

Make this the year you grow your career in the field that is transforming the world and apply for Fall admission to the Master of Science in Biotechnology Program at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Related Press Releases

[1] “PPD boosts biopharma in the Madison area,” Wisconsin State Journal, June 2, 2018.

[2] “Promega Corp.’s $190 million R&D center to be architecturally unique,” Wisconsin State Journal, July 15, 2018.

[3] “New $60 million corporate headquarters is proposed for Exact Sciences,” Wisconsin State Journal, June 16, 2018.

[4] “Here’s why Exact Sceinces soared 42.8% in January,” Feb 4, 2019. The Motley Fool.

[5] “Illumina expands its Madison production facility,” Wisconsin State Journal, June 11, 2015.

[6] “Illumina construction,” University Research Park, May 4, 2017.

[7] “Promega’s newest building, the Kepler Center, opens for business,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 29, 2015.

[8] “Catalent Biologics to expand Madison operations, add 100 jobs,” Wisconsin State Journal, October 22, 2016.

[9] “Stem cell company Cellular Dynamics expands and relocates new headquarters,” BioSpace.com, January 3, 2017.

[10] “After buying Covance food testing unit, Eurofins plans to build $35M complex near Dane County Regional Airport,” Wisconsin State Journal, November 18, 2018.

[11] “Exact Sciences $.28 biollion acquisition causes ripples in medicine, biotech, and finance alike,” The Capital Times, July 31, 2019.

[12] “FDA Decision Expands Market for Exact Sciences’ Cologuard Test,” Xconomy.com, September 23, 2019.

[13] “Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics prepares to open ‘cleanroom’ facility,” Wisconsin State Journal, September 15, 2019.

[14] “Stratatech hopes $28 million expansion propels growth in skin-tissue business,” Wisconsin State Journal, April 29, 2019.