Advanced Clinical: The Podcast

From Disruption to Growth: The Future of Talent in Pharma & Biotech

After an intense year of layoffs across the life sciences in 2025, many people are feeling anxious and uncertain amid an increasingly crowded global talent market. In this episode, we explore how the landscape has shifted: an employer‑driven market, remote hiring widening the field, and a growing preference for candidates who can flex across disciplines. We look beyond the headlines to understand what’s really driving these changes, from strategic realignments and redirected investment to the rise of convergent science and the demand for deeper, more specialized skill sets. While the challenges are real, new opportunities are emerging through cross‑pollination between companies, digital upskilling, and more agile, project‑based workforce models. It’s a moment of disruption, but also one of reinvention. Where the industry goes next, and what it means for the people navigating it, is exactly what we unpack in this conversation. Hosted by: Jacob Midwinter, Vice President, Strategic Resourcing & Consulting Services Jacob leads the sales, delivery, and operational strategy for Advanced Clinical’s Strategic Resourcing & Consulting Services division. With over 13 years of experience supporting the life sciences and technology sectors, he has delivered a wide range of tailored workforce solutions, including RPO, MSP, Executive Search, SOW, Managed Staffing, and Interim Resourcing. Special Guests Mariusz Stokowacki, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Advanced Clinical Mariusz heads all permanent recruitment activities at Advanced Clinical across Europe and the Asia‑Pacific region. A qualified Professional Performance Coach with over 2 decades of professional work experience – including 17 years in pharmaceutical recruitment and sales – he has partnered with leading CROs, pharmaceutical organizations and staffing companies worldwide, supporting stakeholders at every level. Philippa Clarke, Director of Business Development at One Nucleus Philippa brings two decades of experience in client development and engagement within the life sciences sector. At One Nucleus, a Cambridge‑based not‑for‑profit membership organisation, she supports both emerging and established companies in their growth and development. She is actively involved in accelerator and mentoring programmes for young businesses and volunteers on the ELRIG General Committee, a complementary membership organisation to One Nucleus.

Should we be afraid of AI?

In this episode of Advanced Clinical: The Podcast, we are joined by Stacey Arrambide, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development Operations at Advanced Clinical and Matthew Dabney, Senior Director, Process Innovation and AI at Alta Sciences, to discuss the evolving role of AI in clinical development. As AI is becoming embedded in the tools and workflows organizations use daily, what is next for AI and the people using it? Together, we explore how AI is currently being used to improve efficiency in clinical development, the challenges that may limit its impact, and where it could deliver real value. Just as importantly, we consider where human judgment, oversight, and expertise remain critical, and why people must stay at the center of every AI-enabled solution. For leaders in biotech, pharma, and clinical operations, this episode offers timely perspective on how to approach AI and how to ensure people stay at the center of every AI-enabled solution.