UNH Discussed Life Sciences Workforce Strategies
The University of New Hampshire hosted a summit on September 9 to align industry growth with educational curriculum.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Internships
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On September 9, industry leaders and educators convened at the University of New Hampshire to address the rapid growth of the state’s life sciences sector. The meeting focused on closing the talent gap as the industry continues to outpace current labor production.
Why it matters
The rapid expansion of the life sciences sector has created an urgent need for closer collaboration between universities and employers. Bridging this disconnect is essential to ensure that graduates are prepared for the specialized roles required by expanding firms.
New Hampshire saw a 24% increase in life sciences employment from 2019 to 2025, significantly outpacing the 4% growth in the state's total private sector. Lonza, currently employing 2,400 people in Portsmouth, plans to add 300 to 400 more by the end of 2027.
The players
University of New Hampshire
This is a public research university that has seen its federally supported biomedical research funding triple to over $14 million in the last seven years.
Lonza
This is a multinational manufacturing company that operates a significant facility in Portsmouth and currently employs about 2,400 people.
Pirouette Pharma
This is a life sciences firm that utilizes rotational programs for its new hires to teach the product development process.
The details
The university is responding to these labor demands by developing a 43-acre project called The Edge, which aims to provide direct connections between students and industry partners. Additionally, companies like Pirouette Pharma are implementing rotation programs to better integrate new hires into the product development process.
Timeline
Employment growth in the sector was measured from 2019 to 2025.
The university broke ground on The Edge in the spring of 2026.
The Empower Life Sciences event took place at UNH on September 9, 2026.
Lonza expects to hire 300 to 400 new staff members by the end of 2027.
Market Landscape
The university's investment in workforce development mirrors the sector's rapid growth trend, which is defined by the 24% rise in life sciences employment observed from 2019 to 2025. By creating physical hubs like The Edge, the institution is positioning itself to capture a larger share of regional industry partnerships.
Students and job seekers in the region may find increased access to internships and specialized roles as the university integrates these firms into its curriculum. These shifts aim to reduce the time it takes for graduates to transition into professional positions at major local employers.
The takeaway
Effective collaboration between academia and industry is critical for sustaining localized high-growth sectors. Professionals in these fields should monitor upcoming developments at university-affiliated projects to identify new networking and employment opportunities.
Further reading
Learn more about local career pathways in Internships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NH Business Review.
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