Independent report

R&D skills supply and demand: workforce trends and projections

An analysis of research and development (R&D) workforce trends, characteristics and skills demand in the UK.

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Details

This report explores:

  • trends in the聽R&D聽workforce, including personal characteristics and occupational makeup
  • employer skills demand, with an investigation of 鈥榟ard-to-fill vacancies鈥� and 鈥榮kills shortage vacancies鈥�
  • how the skills required in鈥�R&D鈥痡ob postings compare to non-R&D jobs

Detailed insights into the skills required for the聽R&D聽workforce, perspectives on the influence of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues and other topics are explored using in-depth interviews with employers and employees in the聽R&D听蝉别肠迟辞谤蝉.

This analysis also looks into future projections of R&D employment. It covers expected changes in employment levels for jobs related to research and development (R&D) and their share in overall employment under various future scenarios. It examines how these outcomes vary across different regions and countries in the UK.

The report adds to the evidence base for policies to enhance the inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability of the聽R&D聽workforce. These efforts will be crucial given the evolving needs for automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation.

The analysis was conducted in collaboration with City-REDI, University of Birmingham. Lead author is Dr Konstantinos Kollydas.

Updates to this page

Published 29 May 2025

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