Life Science Recruiters in San Diego
Research scientists, clinical operations, quality and manufacturing talent for San Diego biotech — recruited by people who've worked at the bench.
Where We Recruit
Five specialist desks, each run by recruiters who've done the work themselves.
Recruiters Who've Worked At The Bench
Assaywell was started in 2014 by a protein chemist and a clinical research manager who kept watching great scientists get screened out by recruiters who couldn't read a CV. Today four in ten of our recruiters hold a PhD, and every one of them can tell a Western blot from a flow panel — so the conversation starts with the science.
- ✓Recruiters with lab and clinical backgrounds
- ✓Technical screens before every shortlist
- ✓Shortlists in about six days
From Seed-Stage Startups To Commercial Manufacturers
Early-Stage Biotech
First scientists and lab managers for newly funded startups.
Pharma & Therapeutics
Discovery, translational and development teams.
Medical Devices & Diagnostics
R&D, quality and regulatory for device and diagnostics makers.
Genomics & Tools
Assay developers, bioinformaticians and field application scientists.
CDMOs & Manufacturers
GMP manufacturing, QC and process development.
CROs & Clinical Sites
Clinical operations and site staff for trials across Southern California.
What Happens Before You See A CV
A Technical Conversation
Techniques, instruments and results — with someone who has used them.
Publication & Project Review
We read the papers and patents so you don't have to.
Culture & Stage Fit
Startup scrappiness or big-pharma process — we match the pace of your team.
References From Bench Leads
From the PI or manager who watched them work.
From Hiring Managers And Scientists
We needed a protein scientist with both AKTA and cell-line experience before our Series B closed. Assaywell's recruiter had run purifications herself, and her shortlist was the best we'd seen.
They understood the difference between GMP and GLP on the first call, which saved us three rounds of wrong candidates. Our new QA manager came from their network.
After my postdoc I didn't know how to talk to industry. My recruiter rewrote my CV with me and prepped me for every interview. I started as a Scientist II three weeks later.
From Postdoc To Industry — Or Your Next Step In It
Moving from academia to industry, or from one company to the next, goes better with someone who speaks your science. We'll tell you which roles fit, help you translate your work into an industry CV, and prep you for every technical interview.
- ✓CV reviews for academic-to-industry moves
- ✓Technical interview prep
- ✓Salary and equity guidance for San Diego biotech
How We Treat Candidates
Always free
Employers pay our fees — you never do.
No surprise submissions
Your CV goes nowhere without your say-so.
Real technical feedback
After every interview, from someone who understands the science.
Honest salary and equity guidance
What San Diego biotech is actually paying for your level.
Find Your Next Role In Industry
A recruiter in your discipline will be in touch within two business days.
Build Your First Lab Team With Us
From your first research associate to your head of research — we staff newly funded biotechs end to end.
Questions We Hear Most
Do your recruiters really have science backgrounds?
Yes. About 40% hold a PhD, and nearly all have worked in a lab, a clinical site or a GMP facility.
How fast can you fill a scientist role?
Most research and quality roles have a shortlist in about six days; leadership searches take four to eight weeks.
Do you place contract and temporary staff?
Yes — contract research associates and QC analysts for projects, leave cover and scale-up.
I'm a postdoc. Can you help me move to industry?
That's one of our most common placements. We'll help with your CV and prep you for technical interviews.
Is it free for scientists?
Always. Employers pay our fees.
Do you only work in San Diego?
Mostly, from Torrey Pines to Carlsbad, but we also recruit for remote and Bay Area roles.
Tell Us About The Role
Techniques, team and timeline. A recruiter with a science background will reply within one business day.
- Visit usSan Diego, CA 92121
- Call us(858) 555-0117
- Email ustalent@assaywell.com