Scientific Recruiter

Harbor ATS/CRM; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbor ATS/CRM is seeking an ambitious Scientific Recruiter with a Ph.D. in Life Sciences to join our partner-based biotech recruitment team.

You will leverage deep technical knowledge to identify, evaluate, and recruit senior researchers, technical directors, and C-suite leaders for venture-backed biotech startups. The role requires proactive sourcing, end-to-end recruitment, and peer-to-peer technical assessments, partnering with founders and venture partners to translate scientific needs into

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences required.
• Understanding of early-stage biotech and drug development lifecycle.
• Excellent communication to convey complex concepts to non-scientists.

Responsibilities

• Source technical talent for biotech startups and leadership roles.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment and panel interviews.
• Assess publications, research backgrounds, and domain expertise for fits.
• Define headcount with startup founders and venture partners.
• Monitor market trends to build active talent pipelines.
• Track candidate communications and referrals within the agency ATS.

Skills

Technical sourcing

Full-cycle recruitment

Peer-to-peer screening

Startup advisory

Market intelligence

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Tools

ATS

Job description

Our partner recruitment agency specializes in early-to-growth-stage biotechnology startups to build the scientific and executive teams driving the next generation of therapeutics, platform technologies, and life science innovations.

They are seeking an ambitious Scientific Recruiter holding a Ph.D. in the Life Sciences to join the team. Because clients rely on deep technical comprehension to assess key hires, your doctoral background will allow you to evaluate complex scientific capabilities, engage high-caliber research talent peer-to-peer, and act as a trusted strategic advisor to venture capital founders and startup leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Talent Sourcing: Leverage your scientific background to identify, engage, and recruit top-tier researchers, technical directors, and C-suite leadership for venture-backed biotech startups.
• Full-Cycle Recruitment: Oversee the candidate journey end-to-end, from initial technical screening and scientific alignment through to panel interviews, offer negotiation, and placement.
• Peer-to-Peer Screening: Conduct deep technical evaluations of candidate publications, research backgrounds, domain expertise (e.g., cell/gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, synthetic biology, computational biology), and cultural fit for fast-moving startup environments.
• Startup Client Advisory: Work directly with biotech founders, executives, and venture partners to define headcount requirements, translate complex technical needs into compelling job profiles, and calibrate market talent availability.
• Market & Scientific Intelligence: Stay current on emerging biotechnology trends, scientific breakthroughs, funding rounds, and competitive landscapes to build active talent pipelines.
• ATS & Pipeline Management: Track recruitment metrics, candidate communications, and referral networks systematically within our agency ATS.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education (Required): Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Genetics, Computational Biology, or a related Life Sciences discipline.
• Industry Acumen: Understanding of early-stage biotech operations, seed-to-Series B funding dynamics, and the drug discovery/development lifecycle.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-scientific stakeholders and pitch startup opportunities persuasively.
• Drive & Adaptability: High autonomy, resilience, and comfort operating in a goal-oriented, fast-paced agency environment.
• Recruitment Experience (Preferred): Prior agency recruitment, executive search, or internal talent acquisition experience within life sciences is a strong plus, though post‑doc or industry candidates with exceptional commercial acumen will be considered.