West Michigan seeks – and scores – top young science talent

A recent study of West and Southwest Michigan’s life sciences capabilities says the growing cluster of life sciences firms will create its own allure for young scientists and researchers looking to move to, or move back to, the area—but that’s only part of the story of why many of them are already here. Quality of life, natural resources, and alternate career opportunities are creating their own magnetic forces.

According to excerpts from the story:

As Perrigo seeks a far greater role in the global market for generic drugs, as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients, it’s reaching out for talent “to a much greater degree than ever before,” said Jaclyn Ahearne, the company’s director of talent acquisition.

And right now, as Van Andel Institute senior scientific investigator Art Alberts puts it, the region “is not seen as a center of research” and “not on the radar” of the scientific community, at least not to the degree of Boston, San Francisco and North Carolina.

But that is changing, and Bee and others say the growing cluster of life-sciences companies can ultimately create its own allure.

Read the complete story here.