How to Attract, Hire, and Retain Top Chemicals Talent in 2026?

The traditional CV-first approach is no longer enough. We encourage clients to adopt a skills-first hiring mindset, focusing on candidates’ capabilities rather than just their credentials. We also recommend streamlining the recruitment process, as lengthy hiring timelines can lead to losing top candidates. By reducing time-to-hire without compromising quality, organisations can secure the talent they need more efficiently. 

Suggested read: How to create a hiring strategy for the STEM market? 

Offer flexibility and purpose 

Chemicals professionals are increasingly seeking roles that reflect their values and support their lifestyle. We recommend that clients consider their working models to perhaps offer hybrid working in the laboratory, focus on sustainability-driven positions, and provide clear opportunities for career progression.  

Purposeful work, supported by transparent processes, well-defined objectives, and clear desired outcomes, not only adds value but also strengthens employees’ commitment to success and serves as a powerful retention tool. 

Invest in development 

Leading professionals in the chemicals sector are seeking more than just employment; they want a workplace that actively invests in their long-term growth. To stand out as an employer of choice, it’s essential to demonstrate how your organisation supports professional development.  

This can be achieved by outlining structured career advancement opportunities, offering access to ongoing training and apprenticeships, and providing mentorship, leadership training, and industry networking. When candidates can clearly visualise their future trajectory within your company, they are far more likely to join, and stay with, you rather than explore offers from competitors. 

Suggested Read: Leadership strategies in the laboratory 

Create fair, inclusive and positive environments 

Fostering a supportive workplace atmosphere is key to keeping employees engaged and committed. Develop an environment where teamwork, diversity, and mutual respect are fundamental values. Encourage clear and honest communication between staff and leadership, facilitate cross-functional collaboration to spark new ideas and improve job fulfilment, and recognise accomplishments to maintain high spirits across the team. 

Making sure employees perceive fairness and equal treatment is vital. This involves offering competitive pay, providing the same opportunities for career growth to everyone, and consistently enforcing company policies. When team members feel appreciated and treated justly, it strengthens the overall sense of belonging and positivity at work. And remember, diversity drives innovation. To know more about ways to drive diversity & inclusion in leadership, read our guide here. 

How SRG helps you find and connect with top chemicals talent 

Finding the right chemistry talent isn’t just about filling vacancies; it’s about building a skilled workforce that can drive success of current projects and ensure future capability as the sector landscape evolves.  

At SRG, we know that top candidates are often passive, highly specialised, and motivated by more than just salary. That’s why our approach goes beyond traditional recruitment, focusing on strategic engagement and finding talent that has the skills, drive, and passion to meet an organisation’s long-term goals. 

Deep Sector Expertise 

Our Life Sciences staffing and workforce solutions specialists understand the impact of growth across the chemicals industry.  

As chemicals, the processes, and the technology behind the industry evolve and innovate, we work adaptively to connect organisations with high-quality talent that matches the complexity and urgency of ever-developing project requirements. 

Access to niche talent pools 

We have built an extensive database of talent, providing us and you with access to over 100,000 in-demand Life Sciences experts, including candidates with skills and expertise suited to the full spectrum of chemicals roles.