Deloitte’s Vikram Kunnath discusses hiring in life sciences and the skills needed to give yourself the best shot at a new career.

“Ireland is a premier global hub for life sciences, hosting over 700 companies, including 19 of the top 20 pharma and 18 of the top 20 medtech firms, which account for over 50pc of national exports,” said Vikram Kunnath, a partner of technology and transformation at Deloitte. 

He told SiliconRepublic.com that there are a number of key elements to the 2026 life sciences landscape, such as industry composition where strong FDI presence is combined with a growing indigenous sector, key hubs and sectors, major investments, growth drivers, workforce demand and challenges amid global uncertainty. 

Here Kunnath talks more about Deloitte’s hiring plans and the life science skills that make a candidate stand out.

What is the purpose of Deloitte’s new Global Centre for Life Sciences Manufacturing?

The purpose of the Deloitte Global Centre for Life Sciences Manufacturing is to operate globally, as our life sciences clients do, provide services for the manufacturing and operations teams of our clients and to be more effective in manufacturing and delivering cost-effective medicine for patients. Also, to act as a hub for implementing advanced technologies like automation, AI and machine learning to streamline drug development and improve manufacturing precision overall.

What kind of industry challenges does this new team in Deloitte address?

We hope to manage the intense pressure on profit margins by finding efficiencies through automation and optimised, continuous manufacturing and reducing the reliance on slower, labour-intensive methods. As well as address the difficulty of moving from clinical trials to commercial-scale manufacturing, solving issues related to yield variability, process immatureness and technology transfer. The team aims to utilise AI-led simulations and real-time monitoring to optimise batch production and minimise waste.

Another challenge is in navigating patchwork global regulations by implementing unified, digital and automated systems for documentation such as electronic batch records to ensure compliance and patient safety. As well as addressing data siloes and enhancing cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive, intellectual property and patient data from rising cyberattacks. Lastly, overcoming the challenges of manufacturing highly specialised, personalised and patient-specific therapies, which require advanced, closed-system technologies.

In what capacity would a life science expert work at Deloitte?

Globally, Deloitte has over 5,000 life science experts as part of our sector team. Our clients expect us to be able to help them address challenges that are impacting the industry such as digital transformation, the business adoption of AI, new and advanced therapies and next generation manufacturing. To do this effectively, we need to understand the business. Hence, we offer a range of opportunities for candidates with experience and interest in working in the sector. 

Industry knowledge and experience are important differentiators as we work with life science clients across all of our business areas. For example, in our tax and legal team, we have engineers and PhD scientists who work with clients on their research and development priorities. Our advisory teams include pharmacists, engineers and PhD scientists working on a range of projects, including strategy, mergers and acquisitions, data privacy and security, regulatory compliance and digital transformation. Working as part of Deloitte’s life science team offers individuals the opportunity to address challenges at all parts of the life science value chain and to be part of how the industry is evolving. 

What kind of applicant would be best suited?

We are looking for specific applicants who are passionate in supporting our global life sciences clients on solving challenges around life sciences manufacturing. This role offers the chance to collaborate with industry experts and cross-functional teams on impactful digital projects that directly influence manufacturing, product quality and patient safety. Candidates will be challenged to innovate within a highly regulated environment, with significant opportunities for leadership and professional growth in a dynamic, collaborative setting.

What skills or qualifications might be needed?

We are hiring applicants who have experience across a variety of skillsets to include those having direct experience in implementing and supporting shopfloor applications like manufacturing execution systems, lab systems, supply chain systems like Kinaxis/ OMP, those working on IT or OT convergence and at the intersection of manufacturing data and industrial data platforms like SCADA, Historian and advanced analytic tools and finally including those that have experience in working on setting up digital first smart greenfield pharma plants.

Have you any advice for a potential job applicant considering Deloitte?

My advice to applicants considering joining Global Lifesciences Manufacturing COE in Ireland would be, if you have a background in life sciences manufacturing, quality and supply chain, have a level of consulting and technical aptitude around IT/OT/data and AI and have a collaborative mindset and if you love working with global, diverse teams and solving a multitude of challenges put to life sciences teams then do apply.

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