BioDetective Recruitment Agency

Elite Scientists. Precision Hires.
Guaranteed.

You’re developing the next breakthrough. We uncover the talent to make it real.

Meet Your BioDetective

David Katzevich

As a BioDetective - a scientific talent specialist, driven by investigative passion and a commitment to uncovering the perfect match for innovators shaping the future of medicine - a true Biotech Detective - David’s belief is simple:

"Biotech is the world’s greatest industry, transforming brilliant ideas into breakthrough therapies and saving people’s lives as a result. But behind every discovery, every advancement is the right team - and that's where I come in:
I go to any lengths to uncover the talent that accelerates innovation, advances my partners, and ultimately saves lives." 

Education:

Dual degrees in Business and Biotechnology, Brown University
Studied Gold Nanoparticle (AuNP)-mediated photothermal therapy for targeted cancer treatment
Communication: English (Native), Russian (Fluent), Spanish (Conversational)
Additionally: French, German, Estonian, Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic, Mongolian (Purely Perfomative)

Professional Experience:

Vice President of R&D Recruitment, top-rated boutique search firm, New York City
Recognized 5x as a "Top Scientific Expert" in Biotech Recruitment
Led scientific talent and leadership searches for companies ranging from startups to multinational corporations
Contributed to novel therapies, clinical advancements, and key industry partnerships
Why You’re Here
Biotech Hiring Is Hard – And You Want The Best

The best scientists rarely apply for jobs - they get recruited!

The Best Candidates Are Gone in Weeks

Top scientists get hired fast.

By the time you review resumes, competitors have already moved to secure them.

Without a proactive search, you’re always a step behind.

The Best Scientists Don’t Apply - They Must Be Found

Elite biotech talent isn’t scrolling job boards.

They’re focused on their research and only considering exclusive opportunities.

If you’re relying on applications, limited networks, or passive search, you’re missing the best.

Wasted Leadership Time = Lost Innovation

Leaders spend 20+ hours per hire on sourcing, screening, and interviews - time that should be spent on research, funding, and strategy.

The Wrong Hire Hurts Team & Culture

Biotech thrives on collaboration.

A poor fit can slow progress, damage morale, and lead to costly turnover.

Knowing a candidate’s motivations and expectations upfront ensures you get it right the first time.

You’re not here to take chances on hiring.

You’re here because you need the best scientific talent, delivered directly to you.

Not maybe the best, after months of searching, hoping you’re close enough.

The best - right in front of you.

Our Mission

Biotech Recruitment, Perfected.

Limited, Exclusive Clientele

We partner with a limited number of clients to ensure each one receives our full attention, dedication, and priority access to elite biotech talent.

This exclusive model allows us to dive deeper, move faster, and uncover top-tier scientists who are both exceptionally qualified and genuinely excited to join your team.

 Precision-Driven Hiring Solutions

Every step of our process - from talent discovery to final placement - is handled with rigorous attention to detail and a commitment to scientific and cultural alignment.

We leave no stone unturned and no question unanswered, ensuring each hire isn’t simply qualified, but the right long-term fit.

By partnering with a select few clients, aligning incentives, and keeping costs low, we deliver customized, high-impact hiring solutions.

More Than Recruitment – A Scientific Edge

We bring deep scientific expertise, industry-wide connections, and a commitment to excellence to every search.

Our work helps companies innovate faster, scale smarter, and build high-performing teams that drive their next milestone.

Every hire we place fuels scientific breakthroughs and advances life-changing therapies for the patients who need them most - our deepest purpose.

If We Can, We’d Love To Work With You!

The Problem

Why Biotech Hiring Needs A Detective

Biotech recruitment isn’t about just filling seats - it’s about securing the specialized talent that drives discovery, innovation, and growth.

But biotech hiring is different. The best scientists aren’t just applying to job ads looking for pay raises, standard searches miss top talent, and leadership teams waste time filtering unqualified candidates. Traditional hiring strategies weren’t built for biotech’s complexity. Here’s why:

Most Recruiters Rely on Outdated, Passive Strategies

Most biotech recruiters rely on job boards, ads, and outdated databases. But the best scientists aren’t actively applying - they’re focused on their research and only move for the right scientific opportunities, brought to them first.

Job Ads & Standard Searches Miss Top Talent

70-80% of the best biotech candidates are passive – not actively applying. Relying on inbound applications or limited referral networks means you’re only seeing a fraction of the market - and probably not the best fraction!

Leadership Wastes Time Screening the Wrong Candidates

Biotech leaders aren’t recruiters, but bad hiring strategies force them to be. Executives spend 20+ hours per hire reviewing unqualified candidates, draining time from strategy, fundraising, and innovation.

Generic Recruiters Don’t Understand Biotech

Biotech hiring is highly specialized, but generic recruiters rely on keyword-matching instead of true expertise. This leads to weak candidate matches, wasted interviews, and missing top hidden talent.

Traditional hiring methods weren’t built for biotech.

Our search methodology was.

Let’s find the right scientist for your team.

Find the talent You Need!

The Solution

Biotech Recruitment Perfected

We’ve spoken to biotech hiring managers, executives, and HR professionals, and we’ve decided to do things a little differently:

As BioDetectives, we work with only 3 clients at a time, ensuring every search is high-priority, with no conflicts-of-interest.

We prioritize deep scientific knowledge, industry expertise, and highly-active search, and we make searches risk-free with low fixed fees and industry-leading guarantees.

The Best Don’t Compromise. Now You Don’t Have To.

Exclusive Retained Search = No Candidate Crossover

We only work with 3 active clients at a time, ensuring maximum focus and attention to each search.
Every candidate is exclusive to your search - no bidding wars, no recycled resumes.

Deep Scientific Expertise + Advanced Search

We go beyond keyword-matching, using biotech industry knowledge to uncover top candidates.
Our proactive outreach finds hidden talent other recruiters miss.

Risk-Free Hiring: Transparent, Low Pricing + Industry-Leading Guarantees

Up to 40% Lower Fees
Fixed Pricing = No Surprises
Industry-Leading Long-Term Guarantees

Hiring Shouldn’t Be a Gamble - Work With the Best!

Get Started Now – Contact Us

Our Search Process: Precision at Every Step

01
1. Discovery – Understanding Your Needs

What:
Deep intake session to define technical requirements, team culture, and long-term hiring goals.

Why:
Ensures we find the right candidates and get them genuinely excited about your company.

02
2. Investigation & Presentation – Discovering and Delivering Top Hidden Talent

What:
We proactively search beyond job boards, identifying and engaging biotech’s passive talent pool.

Why:
We present candidates with their expectations, motivations, and beyond-the-resume insights included.

03
3. Success Assurance – Interview Guidance & Management

What:
We de-risk the interview process, ensuring all questions are answered and concerns addressed for clients and candidates alike.

Why:
Minimizes interview dropouts and maximizes the likelihood of securing your ideal hire.

04
4. Seamless Onboarding & Long-Term Success

What:
From offer negotiation to onboarding & follow-ups, we ensure smooth hires and long-term retention.

Why:
We provide recruitment built for long-term success.

Ready to uncover the biotech talent your team deserves?

Let’s talk.

Get In Touch Today

Our Search Process

Precision at Every Step

Understanding Your Needs

Deep intake session with your team to define technical requirements, team culture, and long-term hiring goals.

Precision Matching & Candidate Delivery

We present high-caliber candidates, each personally vetted for technical, strategic, and cultural alignment.

01
02
03
04
Uncovering Hidden Talent

Proactive search beyond job boards—identifying and engaging top candidates in biotech's passive talent pool.

Seamless Onboarding & Long-Term Success

Offer negotiation, onboarding support, and post-placement follow-ups to ensure retention and impact.

Ready to uncover the biotech talent your team deserves? Let’s talk.

Contact Us Now

Our Services

Hiring for Every Stage of Biotech Growth

From bench to boardroom, we place top biotech talent at every level. Whether you need a hands-on scientist to drive research or a visionary leader to scale your company, our exclusive retained search ensures the right fit, every time.

Exclusive Retained Search

Scientist to C-Suite

From bench to boardroom, we conduct retained searches for biotech roles at every level. Whether you need a trailblazing hands-on scientist, a visionary CEO, or anyone in between, our extensive experience provides a pathway for success and our tailored approach ensures the perfect fit.

Career Scope:

Scientist (PhD/Non-PhD) | Senior Scientist | Principal Scientist
Associate Director | Director | Senior/Executive Director
Vice President | Senior Vice President | Executive Vice President
CEO | CSO | CTO | CBO | CFO | Other C-Suite

Therapeutic Areas and Modalities

Expertise Across Cutting Edge Fields

Neuroscience, CNS/PNS, Neuropsychiatric
Biologics (engineered antibodies/proteins/peptides)
Earliest Discovery Through Preclinical
Immunology and Autoimmunity
Cell & Gene Therapy & Editing
Preclinical & Non-Clinical (Toxicology, Pharmacology)
Oncology & IO
Vaccines
Translational Research
Metabolic Disease
Small Molecules
Early Clinical Research

Wet & Dry Lab Expertise

Scientists, Bioinformaticians & AI Specialists

We recruit expertise across both wetlab and drylab roles, including computational biology, bioinformatics, and AI-driven biotech innovation.

Wet Lab Expertise

Bench Scientists(Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Immunology, etc)

Research Leadership(Principal Scientists, Directors, VPs, CSOs)

Dry Lab Expertise

Computational Biologists (Genomics, Systems Biology, Drug Discovery)

Bioinformaticians(Big Data, Machine Learning, Multi-Omics Analysis)

AI & Machine Learning Specialists (Predictive Modeling, AI-Driven Drug Discovery, Synthetic Biology)

Industry-Leading Pricing & Guarantees

Up to 40% Lower Fees & Full Risk Protection

Our transparent fixed pricing model (based on candidate seniority rather than salary) provides significantly lower fees than industry standards while ensuring your investment

Unmatched guarantees:

Pricing Advantage: Up to 40% lower than industry competitors

Retainer Guarantee: If we are unable to deliver, retainer costs are fully refunded or credited to the final fee – an industry first.

Placement Guarantee: Standard rebate with full or partial refund up to industry-high 120 days from candidate start date, with extended guarantees up to 1 year available – another industry first.

Discover Our Exclusive Pricing & Services

Book a Complimentary Talent Consultation Today

Just say Hi To Learn more!
Testimonials

An Unmatched Track Record of Precise and Transformative Results

Biotech leaders and hiring teams trust us to deliver exceptional talent and transformative results. Here’s what they have to say about working with the BioDetective.

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Irene Clifford
Client

David understood our technical needs and culture perfectly, delivering top candidates quickly. His strategic insight was crucial to building our team.

Midsized Cell Therapy Biotech
VP of Research

“Working with David was the best recruitment experience we’ve had. He delivered top-tier candidates at all levels, even for a pre-Series A startup with limited offers. His precision, scientific knowledge, and communication were key to building our team and achieving our acquisition. Highly recommend him.”

Start-Up Cell Therapy Biotech
CEO

“David delivered exceptional computational biology hires, including the best ML scientist I’ve worked with. Others remain key contributors. His deep market insight was invaluable. Highly recommend him as a recruitment partner.”

Global Head of AI
 Top 10 Global Pharma

David delivered top talent that fit our needs and culture. His professionalism and problem-solving made him invaluable. Highly recommend.

Start-Up Gene Therapy Biotech
COO

David consistently delivered top talent that matched our technical needs and culture. His professionalism, adaptability, and problem-solving made him an invaluable partner. Highly recommend.

Biofuntion
CEO

David delivered exceptional computational biology hires for our Boston-based team, one genuinely being the best ML scientist I’ve ever worked with and others who continue to be key contributors to the company today. His deep understanding of our needs and the talent market was evident throughout the process. I highly recommend David as a trusted and effective recruitment partner."

Global Head of AI
Top 10 Global Pharma

Working with David was a real pleasure, and consistently among, if not the best recruitment experiences my company and I have ever had. Over several years working together, he consistently delivered top-tier candidates in our niche field at every level, from bench scientists to scientific leaders, and perhaps most importantly made sure they were excited to work for a dynamic, pre-Series A start-up (even when we couldn’t always provide the most financially lucrative offers to them).

David’s precision, scientific knowledge, and communication abilities were critical in building the team that developed our platform and ultimately led to our acquisition – a critical milestone for us from the very start of our company. Without the scientists David brought in, it’s uncertain if we would be where we are today. I’d wholeheartedly recommend working with him to anyone."

CEO
Start-Up Cell Therapy Biotech (Acquired by Top 10 Global Big Pharma Company)

"David’s ability to understand both the technical nuances of our roles and our company’s culture was unparalleled. He consistently delivered highly qualified candidates, and we often hired directly from his initial submissions - testament to his precision and expertise. Working with David was a seamless experience, and his strategic insight was instrumental in building our team."

VP of Research
Midsized Cell Therapy Biotech

"David was an outstanding partner in our hiring process. With a multi-role retained agreement, he and his team delivered top-tier candidates across multiple levels, from experienced PhD/non-PhD scientists to Director-level hires, and we ultimately filled every single role with the right people.
His ability to quickly identify talent that truly fit our needs made recruitment so much easier from the beginning, and we quickly moved candidates through the interview process and presented offers we were confident they would accept, from the information David gave us. Almost every time, we landed our top-choice hire on the first attempt for each role.

Working with David was an excellent, efficient, and very successful experience, and I’d gladly recommend him to any company looking for a trusted recruitment partner."

Head of Human Resources
Midsized Oncology Biopharma

"David consistently delivered highly skilled candidates who aligned with both our technical needs and company culture, even helping us secure top talent willing to join under unique circumstances. His professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to navigate challenges in the hiring process made him a trusted and very valuable partner, and I would recommend him without hesitation."

COO
Start-Up Gene Therapy Biotech

Let’s do for you what we’ve done for so many others:

Find the transformative talent you need!

Get in touch Today
FAQ

Still Have Questions?

We’ve Got Answers.

Hiring decisions are critical, and we know you may have questions before reaching out. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive - so you can move forward with confidence

What types of biotech companies do you typically work with?

We partner with companies across the entire biotech landscape from early-stage startups and VC-backed stealth companies to midsized biotechs and global pharmaceutical firms. Whether you’re building your founding team or expanding your leadership, we know we can help.

What roles and seniority levels do you specialize in?

 We recruit across all levels of biotech and life sciences, from bench scientists to VPs and C-suite leadership. Our experience and expertise spans R&D, computational biology, AI, and all critical functions that drive biotech innovation.

The only areas in which we would (and could) recommend a different recruitment partner would be for exclusively manufacturing, regulatory, and later-stage clinical & commercial hires.

What markets do you work in geographically?

Our core focus is on biotech’s two major U.S. hubs - Boston and San Francisco - but our reach extends across the East Coast, Southern California, Seattle, Texas, and even Europe. No matter the location, our deep search process uncovers the best candidates, and our commitment to excellence never wavers.

You say you only work with 3 clients at a time—what happens if you're already booked up?

Reach out anyway! We move fast, and searches are constantly closing, making room for new clients. Even if we're at capacity, we'll still discuss your needs, provide insights, and let you know when availability opens up. If we can help, we will.

How long does it take to get candidates?

We typically deliver our first set of vetted candidates within 2-3 weeks - often sooner. Our search process is designed for speed, accuracy, and minimal disruption to your business.

What happens if the candidates you present aren’t the right fit?

Our searches are tailored from the start to ensure precisely matched candidates. If we don’t get it right, we listen, refine and recalibrate until we get you exactly the talent you want - at no extra cost.

How does your pricing compare to other biotech recruiters?

Our seniority-based fixed-pricing model is up to 40% lower than traditional search firms, and we offer industry-leading guarantees that eliminate hiring risk. No surprise fees, no markups - just transparent, cost-effective recruitment.

What happens if a hire doesn’t work out?

We back every hire with an industry-leading placement guarantee, offering full or partial refunds & replacement searches up to 120 days post-placement - with extended guarantees available up to 1 year. If anything doesn’t work out, we’re right back on the search to ensure you get the right hire.

What if my team has multiple positions to fill - can you handle that?

Of course! We’ve successfully managed multi-role retained searches before and actually prefer them - hiring across multiple levels for one company is often more effective than scattered, one-off searches, and grand hiring projects get candidates excited! We’ll advise on our current workload and adjust accordingly depending on the scope of your hiring needs, but we’d love to have a conversation about it.

We’re not sure if we need a recruiter yet. Should we still reach out?

Absolutely! We offer complimentary hiring strategy consultations - no obligation, no pressure. Let’s start the connection, get to know each other and your hiring needs, so when the time comes and you’re ready to grow your team, you’re already ahead of the game.

We have an internal talent acquisition team. Can we still work with you?

Yes! Many of our clients have internal recruiters, and we complement their efforts by tackling the most problematic searches that require deep industry expertise and a targeted retained search approach. If you have significant and complicated hiring plans, we’ll take the toughest burdens off your internal TA team!

Still have questions?

Let’s talk about your hiring needs.

Let’s Chat - No Pressure

Ask the Biodetective

Top Biotech Talent is Scarce. We Find It. Let’s Talk.

Hiring the right scientific talent is too important to leave to chance. Let’s talk about your hiring needs - fill out the form below or reach out directly. The BioDetective is on the case.

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