The life sciences sector in the UK is undergoing a geographic shift. While London and the South East remain influential, significant expansion is now taking place across regional centres such as Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. These locations are benefitting from a combination of public funding, academic infrastructure and commercial investment.
As a result, digital and IT professionals are now able to access high-value life sciences roles without needing to be based in the capital. For those with expertise in infrastructure, software engineering, data or cybersecurity, this trend represents a new set of professional opportunities combined with improved lifestyle conditions.
Regional Growth in Focus
The UK’s Golden Triangle which includes Oxford, Cambridge and London has historically dominated life sciences innovation. In a 2025 publication, CBRE announced that take-up across these locations totalled 266,300 sq ft, a 5% increase above the average in the first half of the year.
However, this is beginning to rebalance. Over the past five years, regional cities have received increased government backing, academic investment and private capital to develop new science parks, data centres and innovation corridors. These developments are accelerating the formation of new clusters for applied science and healthcare technology.
Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor has become a focal point for medtech, diagnostics and digital health. Manchester is well positioned within the UK’s £120 billion life sciences sector and has the potential to play a central role in its continued development. The city-region offers particular strengths in data, genomics, oncology and real-world evidence trials, making it a significant contributor to both current and future innovation. Moreover, the prospectus, “Investing in Life Sciences in Manchester”, developed by MIDAS and the Oxford Road Corridor partnership, was formally presented on 26th June during a private event held at Sister, the £1.7 billion innovation district at the heart of the city.
Leeds is now recognised as a centre for health informatics and clinical data research. Newcastle continues to grow its bioscience and innovative urban health sectors through its £350 million Newcastle Helix development, a 24-acre innovation quarter that brings together industry, academia, and the community with world-leading facilities.
Edinburgh and Glasgow are also building strong reputations in digital healthcare and research commercialisation, supported by their university networks. Bolstered by university networks and government initiatives like the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and the Digital Health Innovation Engine. Both cities host world-leading universities and innovation hubs, such as the Digital Health Validation Lab in Glasgow and Edinburgh's Edinburgh Innovations and DataLoch resource.
This regional infrastructure is supporting the creation of new technical roles and increasing demand for qualified professionals across digital functions.
Technical Capability in High Demand
As the sector becomes more reliant on data, cloud computing and secure platforms, the need for digital expertise has increased significantly. Life sciences companies are actively recruiting software developers, cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, DevOps professionals and data engineers. Many of these roles require experience working in complex, regulated environments.
This demand is especially pronounced in regional locations where digital capabilities are still being developed. According to industry reports, life sciences organisations across the UK are experiencing significant hiring bottlenecks in digital functions. Companies are therefore looking beyond traditional sector experience and prioritising candidates who can deliver reliable, secure and scalable systems.
Professionals from sectors such as healthcare technology, consultancy or government often bring relevant IT and Tech experience, even if they have not worked in life sciences previously. Skills such as regulatory compliance, stakeholder management and delivery under constraint are directly applicable to the technical challenges these organisations face.
Relocation as a Strategic Option
The idea that career growth depends on remaining in London is increasingly out of date. Life sciences teams outside the capital now offer roles that are technically challenging, strategically important and well supported by both funding and leadership. These roles often involve greater ownership, earlier exposure to decision makers and faster progression routes.
Regional relocation offers clear lifestyle advantages. Professionals relocating outside the South East typically benefit from lower housing costs, reduced commuting time and easier access to outdoor space. Cities such as York, Leeds and Edinburgh are also known for their cultural infrastructure, professional networks and quality of life.
For professionals with families or those seeking more stability in their working week, these factors can significantly improve long-term job satisfaction.
Hiring Criteria Are Changing
While some IT professionals assume that sector-specific experience is essential, many life sciences employers are now shifting to a skills-based approach. The emphasis is less on previous job titles and more on evidence of structured delivery, technical communication and adaptability.
Industry analysis suggests that hiring based on problem solving ability, cross functional collaboration and experience in regulated environments leads to faster onboarding and higher long term retention.
This shift is expanding the candidate pool. Where technical fundamentals and delivery patterns align, sector-specific terminology or workflow familiarity can often be acquired during onboarding.
The key priority for many teams is delivery readiness rather than historical industry alignment.
Modern Onboarding Practices
Concerns about transitioning into a new sector are understandable. However, most regional employers now have formal onboarding practices in place for digital hires. These frameworks are designed to support new starters as they develop sector knowledge and become familiar with the systems.
Some organisations even simulate role-relevant challenges during the hiring process. This allows candidates to gain contextual understanding before they begin, while also helping hiring managers assess potential for integration.
Additional strategies include sandbox environments, modular training resources and mentoring from technical leads. These measures help reduce time to contribution, build confidence and improve retention for individuals moving across sectors.
Purpose Led Work in Regional Teams
One of the defining characteristics of digital roles in life sciences is the opportunity to contribute to socially meaningful outcomes. Many professionals move into the sector because the work aligns with healthcare delivery, patient safety or scientific discovery.
Projects may include developing secure platforms for clinical trials, building data pipelines for hospital analytics or supporting national research initiatives through software engineering. These roles often require technical depth, but they also allow candidates to engage with real-world challenges that have public impact.
Conclusion
The continued expansion of the life sciences sector outside London is creating new opportunities for IT professionals across the UK. With increased demand, evolving hiring criteria and improved quality of life, relocation is now a serious option for individuals looking to advance their digital careers in a meaningful sector.
Connect with nufuture to explore your next opportunity in life sciences digital and IT, whether you are hiring or job searching across the UK’s growing regions.