My Recruiting Blog

Those with Tucson city jobs in the bioscience industry have a lot to look forward to.

A recent study from the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice found that, despite the economic recession that slaughtered most industries during 2008 and 2009, Arizona's bioscience industry continued to rapidly grow, adding high-paying jobs and new firms.

From 2002 to 2008, bioscience jobs in Arizona increased by 31 percent, compared to the 12 percent growth rate experienced by the nation as a whole. During 2008, the average salary for a bioscience job in Arizona was $55,749, 33 percent higher than the average private-sector salary in the state.

One bright spot in the report is that 50 bioscience companies have spun off from university research since 2002. The Tucson area alone has added 38 bio firms since that year, accounting for a total of 82 firms in the area.

A previous Battelle study found that Arizona's bioscience industry has an annual revenue of about $12.5 billion, creating an additional $8.6 billion in economic activity and generating more than $765 million in state and local tax revenues.

The current study found that, during 2008, jobs in the state's bioscience industry increased by 5.8 percent, or 4,900 positions, to 89,674 jobs. At the same time, employment in Arizona's private sector decreased by 3.2 percent.

Although it's too early to guess how well Arizona's bioscience industry fared during 2009, several major bioscience employers throughout the state announced expansions, including W.L. Gore & Associates, Covance, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. and Sanofi-aventis.

The Battelle Technology Partnership Practice has been commissioned by the Flinn Foundation to develop Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap, a comprehensive analysis and strategic plan. Of the 19 recommended action items included in the plan, progress has been made on 17, with substantial progress on 11.

Some notable recent happenings include:

• New bioscience and technology incubators were launched in Chandler, Phoenix and Surprise.
• Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute announced plans to create its own accelerator.
• The University of Arizona is building a major bioscience park.
• Flagstaff's new incubator graduated its first major tenant.
• A "fund of funds" was created to raise and manage up to $200 million for private venture-capital investments in early-stage bioscience and technology firms.
• STEM - or science, technology, engineering and math - education programs were expanded.

During 2008, a total of $435 million was spent on academic research and development expenditures at Arizona's public universities. However, grant funding from the National Institutes of Health decreased by 10.1 percent to $157.6 million.

Fortunately, the current NIH funding outlook is encouraging, with $33 million already secured in research funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. From 2002 to 2008, NIH funding in Arizona increased by 14 percent.

However, during 2009, Arizona also saw its bioscience venture capital-investments substantially decline. Firms secured five investments during the year, totaling $16.4 million, a decrease from the $65 million received during 2008, and the lowest level of funding received since 2003.

Labels: Tucson city jobs