Talent at Biopôle

TALENT SHAPING THE LIFE SCIENCES

One of the biggest challenges faced by life sciences organisations today is talent acquisition and retention – which is why we offer various programmes to help our members find the right people. A pool of highly educated life sciences graduates enters the job market each year, including in our local area, thanks to the presence of world-leading universities such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL): we make it our mission to attract this talent and expertise.

Over time, thanks to the dynamism of our campus, the diversity and educational level of our workforce has steadily increased: according to the latest figures, over three quarters of people working at Biopôle have a Master’s degree, one third have a doctoral degree, nearly half work in R&D and more than half come from outside Switzerland – meaning that 37 different nationalities are represented on campus. What’s more, people who come to work here often stay here: more than one fifth of our workforce has been employed by more than one company or research organisation on site. We’re proud to host this array of talented people, who enrich our campus no end.

33%

of people

who work at Biopôle have a doctoral degree

47%

of talents

work in R&D

20%+

have worked

for more than one company or research organisation on site

30-39

years old

on average

POSTGRAD CONSULTING

In 2023, as part of its Investment Readiness Programme, which is open to all companies that have been awarded funding by Biopôle’s Start-up Fund, Biopôle introduced a Postgraduate Consulting scheme. The team of specially selected postgraduate consultants is comprised of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from EPFL and UNIL, who analyse the science behind each company, with support from specialist tech consultants at Alcimed. This gives early-career researchers the chance to gain an insight into the industry and build invaluable connections with peers and potential business partners.

INTERNSHIPS

Biopôle launched an internship programme in partnership with Catalyze4Life from EPFL’s School of Life Sciences. The programme not only supports young graduates taking their first steps in the life sciences industry, but also helps our members access new talent. Up to three EPFL Master’s students per year can complete a six-month internship at a Biopôle start-up, allowing them to test drive a career in the life sciences industry while also gaining transferrable skills in a fast-paced start-up environment.

Companies can submit internship opportunities on the EPFL website starting from September.

BIOPÔLE DISCOVERY DAY

This popular annual event is tailored to students, young professionals and academic researchers wishing to explore career opportunities in the life sciences. On Biopôle Discovery Day, we open the doors to our community, letting participants tour our campus facilities and network with inspirational leaders from a range of different companies.

Save the date! The next Biopôle Discovery Day will take place on 25^th March, 2025.