Scientific Software

We recruit software engineers, developers and firmware specialists across the UK and Europe, supporting scientific instrument vendors, laboratory automation companies and lab informatics businesses. We understand that scientific software requires more than great coding skills - it takes an understanding of the instruments, applications and scientific environments it supports. It’s specialist scientific software recruitment built on genuine industry understanding.

Where we can help

We recruit Software Engineers, Developers, Software Test Engineers and Firmware Specialists across the UK and Europe's scientific sector, supporting instrument manufacturers, laboratory automation companies and lab informatics businesses. Scientific software isn’t generic software - our technical backgrounds mean we understand the instruments, applications and laboratory environments behind it, helping us identify developers with the right combination of software and scientific expertise.

Stack coverage

Roles

Job titles from Software Engineer, Software Developer, Software Test Engineer and Firmware Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, Software Test Engineers, Test & Validation Engineers through to Technical Leads, Software Engineering Manager and Head of Software.

Roles

Industries

Industries served: scientific instrument manufacturers, laboratory automation and OEM businesses, medical devices, life science software and biotech informatics.

Industries

Industries served: scientific instrument manufacturers, laboratory automation and OEM businesses, medical devices, life science software and biotech informatics.

Employment Type

Permanent, temporary and contract assignments across UK and Europe.

Employment Type

Permanent, temporary and contract assignments across UK and Europe.

Why scientific software hiring needs scientific recruiters

Scientific software requires more than strong coding skills. Developers may be building software that controls scientific instrumentation, interfaces directly with hardware, writing firmware that runs analytical instruments, supports laboratory automation or building software stacks that are used within regulated environments (e.g GMP, GLP, GXP, ISO). We understand this context, so we look beyond programming languages to consider the instruments, applications and end users behind the software - helping us identify developers with the right technical experience for scientific environments.

What makes scientific software different from generic enterprise software?

Scientific software often sits much closer to the science and hardware it supports. It may control analytical instruments and lab automation, interface with embedded systems and firmware, or operate within regulated pharma and clinical environments where validation and compliance are critical. It’s designed for specialist users, so understanding how the software is actually used can be just as important as the technology stack behind it.

Which technical stacks does VRS recruit against?

Our scientific software recruitment expertise spans instrumentation control software, data processing, UI & UX, LIMS, laboratory automation, embedded software and computer systems validation (CSV). We recruit across C, C#, C++, Python, .NET and React, matching candidates not just by programming language, but by their wider technical experience and the scientific applications they’ll be working with.

Scientific software roles we recruit for

From Software Engineers and Developers to Heads of Software and Engineering Directors, we recruit across all levels of experience. Typical roles include Software Engineers, Software Developers, Application Developers, Software Test Engineers, Front-End and Back-End Developers, Full-Stack Developers, Desktop Application Developers, Systems Developers, Web Developers, CSV Engineers / Computer Systems Validation Specialists, Software Programmers, Data Engineers, Embedded Software Engineers, Firmware Engineers and Software Engineering Managers.. and plenty of variations in between!

Does VRS recruit Engineering Managers and Heads of Software?

Yes! We recruit senior software and engineering leadership positions, including Software Engineering Managers, Heads of Software and Engineering Directors. For these hires we look beyond technical expertise to understand leadership and management experience, software delivery and stakeholder communication. Retained search is available for particularly senior, specialist or confidential appointments.

Does VRS recruit Scientific Software professionals for contract assignments?

We recruit contractors for a range of scientific software projects, including application development for new and existing instrumentation, UI and front-end development, software upgrades, LIMS and ELN integration, laboratory automation and embedded software development. We also support with additional development resource or interim technical and software leadership.

Industries we recruit for

Our scientific software recruitment expertise spans scientific instrument manufacturers, laboratory automation and OEM businesses, life science software and medical devices. We recruit for software teams developing chromatography, mass spectrometry and broader analytical instrumentation, robotic and liquid handling platforms, LIMS and ELN systems, bioinformatics platforms, IVD software and other specialist scientific technologies.

Does VRS recruit LIMS and laboratory informatics developers?

We recruit across LIMS, ELN and wider lab informatics platforms, from system configuration and integration to bespoke software development. We understand these roles can require more than knowledge of a particular platform, looking at experience with laboratory workflows, instrument data integration, computer systems validation (CSV) and the wider regulated scientific environment in which the software operates.

What about firmware and embedded software roles?

We recruit Firmware Engineers and Embedded Software Developers working on scientific instrumentation, laboratory automation and other technical products. These roles commonly involve C and C++, alongside embedded systems and hardware integration, so we look beyond programming languages to understand candidates’ experience of developing software that interacts directly with instruments and equipment.

FAQs

Got a question?

You can always ask us - we’re real people and we’re very friendly!

In the meantime, our marketing team tells us FAQs are good for SEO, so here are a few we prepared earlier.. 😉

Absolutely! We recruit Scientific Software professionals across the UK, Europe and North America. From our Paris office, we support scientific software recruitment throughout Europe, with regular opportunities in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Nordic countries. Our US office covers Scientific Software recruitment across North America, too!

Every search is different! Timescales depend on the technical requirements, scientific context, seniority, location and availability of suitable candidates. Our networks give us a strong starting point across scientific software, from Software Developers and Test Engineers to specialist Firmware, Embedded Software and LIMS professionals. We’ll discuss your requirements and agree realistic shortlisting timescales at the outset.

Salaries vary considerably depending on experience, technical expertise, location and the complexity of the software or scientific application. From Software Developers and Test Engineers to Technical Leads, Engineering Managers and Heads of Software, we can provide up-to-date salary benchmarking tailored to your requirements and help you understand current market expectations for the skills you need.

Absolutely! Not every scientific software role requires scientific experience. For many positions, strong software engineering skills and the ability to understand the product, application and end user are more important. For roles closer to the hardware, such as firmware, embedded software and instrument control, an engineering, physics or applied science background can be particularly valuable. We assess the technical and scientific requirements of each role individually rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

We recruit for onsite, hybrid and fully remote Scientific Software positions, depending on the requirements of the role and employer. Roles involving firmware, embedded software, instrument control or hardware testing may require greater onsite presence, while other software development positions can offer more flexibility. We discuss working arrangements with both clients and candidates from the outset to make sure expectations align.

Roles requiring a combination of specialist software expertise and scientific or instrumentation experience can be particularly challenging to fill. These include Embedded Software and Firmware Engineers, experienced LIMS and laboratory informatics specialists, and developers combining scientific software experience with broader application or cloud technologies. Senior Engineering Managers and Heads of Software who can lead multidisciplinary teams across embedded, firmware and application development are also highly specialist appointments.

Active jobs

Responsable Pôle Laboratoire Contrôle Conformité - Pharma

Orléans

France

68,000€ - 80,000€ + Bonus & benefits

Rattaché.e au Directeur Qualité du site, vous prenez la responsabilité d'un périmètre regroupant les activités de contrôle physicochimique, microbiologique, logistique des échantillons, articles de conditionnement et support analytique. Vous animez une organisation d'environ 85 collaborateurs au travers de 5 managers directement rattachés.

Commercial.e Export DACH

Sens

France

40,000€ - 45,000€ + OTE

Vous développez les ventes sur la zone DACH auprès d'interlocuteurs variés : partenaires prescripteurs, responsables de laboratoire, chercheurs, responsables techniques, ingénieurs. Le poste combine construction de nouveaux comptes et fidélisation d'un portefeuille B2B existant : vous qualifiez les projets clients, réalisez les devis, et pilotez l'ensemble du cycle de vente, de la découverte du besoin jusqu'au closing. Vous assurez également des présentations commerciales et techniques, en lien avec les équipes internes, et représentez l'entreprise lors de salons, congrès et événements scientifiques sur la zone (environ 6 à 7 semaines de déplacement par an). Vous travaillez en collaboration étroite avec les équipes techniques, marketing et la direction, et contribuez à faire remonter les besoins du terrain pour faire évoluer l'offre.

Business Development Manager - South EU & LATAM

Sens

France

40,000€ - 50,000€ + OTE

Vous identifiez et développez des opportunités commerciales auprès de prescripteurs, d'OEM et de clients finaux, en combinant prospection téléphonique, présentations et visites terrain. Vous représentez l'entreprise lors de salons et conférences du secteur (5 à 6 déplacements par an : environ 3 en Espagne, 2 à 3 en Amérique latine). Vous travaillez en lien étroit avec les équipes commerciales et marketing pour construire une approche cohérente sur votre territoire, et suivez vos projets du premier contact à la signature — les plus gros dossiers étant gérés directement par vous, les plus petits avec l'appui d'une assistante commerciale.

Product Specialist / Field Service Engineer, X-Ray Analytical Instrumentation

Catania

Italy

30,000€ - 40,000€ + Car

You are the technical face of the company for customers using these systems. You install and commission instruments, diagnose and repair faults, maintain systems, train users, and act as product specialist when customers want to know what their equipment can do. Most of your work is around Catania and Sicily, with trips elsewhere in Italy when needed. Travel is around 70 to 75% of your time, but mostly day trips, with only a few nights away per year.

Field Service Engineer - X-Ray insturmentation

Germany

70,000€ - 90,000€ + bonus + Car

You'll be the trusted technical face of the company for customers who depend on equipment most engineers have never even seen — installing new systems, diagnosing faults that mix electronics, mechanics, and software, and training customers to get the most out of their instruments. You'll work independently in the field, but you're backed by a real team: a structured buddy-based onboarding program, first-line colleagues across Germany, the UK, Spain, and Poland, and second-line specialists in the US and Japan when a problem needs deeper expertise.

Sales Manager - Laboratory Instrumentation

South France

France

Around 60,000€ + OTE + Car

Vous gérez un territoire couvrant le Sud de la France avec une base idéale dans la région Auvergne Rhone Alpes où se trouvent certains des principaux clients. Votre rôle mêle gestion de la relation client sur un pipeline existant et développement de nouvelles opportunités : vous accompagnez vos clients dans des projets d'investissement à cycle long (environ un an), incluant budgétisation, validation et parfois procédures d'appels d'offres publics. En moyenne, une demi-douzaine de visites clients par semaine, avec certaines semaines plus intenses nécessitant quelques nuitées; le territoire étant important, la mobilité est un vrai pré requis du poste.

Head of Computer-Aided Drug Discovery

Cambridge

East Anglia

Competitive

We are seeking an experienced computational drug discovery leader to head a specialist CADD team within an established drug discovery organisation.

Analytical Technology Transfer Scientist

Macclesfield

North West

£45,000-£53,000

Are you an experienced Analytical Scientist looking to make an impact in the pharmaceutical sector? This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven and innovative scientist to take a leading role in supporting commercial drug products at our clients globally renowned pharmaceutical organisation at their state-of-the-art facility based in Macclesfield.

Scientific Software

Where we can help

Stack coverage

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Roles

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Industries

Industries

Industries

Industries

Employment Type

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Employment Type

Why scientific software hiring needs scientific recruiters

What makes scientific software different from generic enterprise software?

Which technical stacks does VRS recruit against?

Scientific software roles we recruit for

Does VRS recruit Engineering Managers and Heads of Software?

Does VRS recruit Scientific Software professionals for contract assignments?

Industries we recruit for

Does VRS recruit LIMS and laboratory informatics developers?

What about firmware and embedded software roles?

FAQs

Does VRS recruit Scientific Software professionals outside the UK?

How quickly can VRS shortlist scientific software roles?

What salary ranges should I expect for UK scientific software developers?

Can VRS recruit developers without scientific backgrounds?

Does VRS handle remote and hybrid scientific software roles?

Which scientific software specialisms are hardest to recruit?

Active jobs