Aly Budny is one of our amazing Recruiting Partners, who originally joined the Sci.bio team in a dual role comprising marketing and recruiting. Since she joined the team almost four years ago, she’s transitioned to full-time recruiting and has developed a tailored approach to talent acquisition across various kinds of roles.
Read more below about Aly’s serendipitous path to Sci.bio, the way she tackles the day-to-day difficulties of recruiting, her passion for wildlife photography, and more!
How did you get into recruiting, and how did you end up at Sci.bio?
I got into recruiting accidentally! When I graduated from Northeastern, I knew I wanted to work in Biotech, but wasn’t sure how to break into the industry without landing in a research position. I didn’t want to work in the lab and I didn’t have plans to get a PhD, so I was seeking a way into the industry that was more business oriented. I had done a co-op in marketing while in college, giving me skills in social media marketing, event planning, and newsletter creation. I figured biotech marketing was a path I could explore, but I also did a second co-op at SQZ Biotech supporting the CEO, which exposed me to other areas like business development, HR, investor relations, and even recruiting. I saw an opening at Sci.bio and applied. In chatting with Eric, I learned that Sci.bio had a need for marketing support, and we decided I would join in a dual position – marketing and recruiting. I got to learn something new (that has turned into my career) and continue to develop on the marketing side. I ended up liking recruiting more, and transitioned to being a full time recruiter in 2022.
What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter?
I really enjoy the opportunity to work with so many different people across the industry and even specifically within an organization. At this point in my career, I have supported all the baseline functions a biotech company may have – G&A, Clinical, Research, and more recently Commercial. I look forward to developing a relationship with my hiring managers and building a partnership that can lead to successful hiring. You can draft a JD, look at some resumes, and guess on paper what will be a fit, but if you aren’t taking the time to meet with a hiring manager to understand their personality, their management style, their goals, you can spin in circles looking for the right candidate. Everyone has a unique approach, and I learn something new every time I kick off an opening with a new hiring manager.
What do you find most challenging about recruiting?
Lately, small tasks can be a challenge. Resume review, scheduling interviews, and keeping a hiring process moving forward can involve a lot of small steps. I get excited when I know we have the right candidate moving through the process, and sometimes I have to step back, remind myself what steps need to occur, and make sure I am consistent from a process perspective.
What are your passions and interests outside of work?
I currently play on multiple tennis teams throughout the week, which nicely breaks up the amount of time I sit at my desk! I also love wildlife photography and am looking forward to warbler season (IYKYK). Photography has led me to be a lot more active and spend more time outside – even in the winter!
What do you think your greatest strength is as a recruiter?
I think my greatest strength as a recruiter is that I don’t give up easily. I have worked through many difficult positions – from lack of clarity on the requirements, to multiple offer declines, to one specific role that arguably only 10 people on the planet could do, I will find the right fit, no matter how long it takes. You can always work with a hiring manager to shift expectations, priorities, and even hiring location, but I interpret that as a last resort.
What advice would you give to someone entering the world of biotech recruiting, or recruiting in general?
Patience is a virtue. There will be jobs you don’t fill, jobs you lose out to another agency, jobs that will be cancelled right when you get a good candidate in the mix. This job requires being in it for the long haul, and the benefits will outweigh the struggle, you just have to have the patience to get there.
What are your goals that you hope to accomplish as a recruiter?
I could list metric based goals or processes I want to improve, as there are always things to think about in this sense, but I really enjoy what I am doing currently, and my goal is to continue to enjoy what I do.
Here at Sci.bio, we work with a variety of candidates from new graduates to experienced executives and have myriad open roles. We pride ourselves on connecting our highly discerning clients with candidates who fit their specific needs. Check out our job search page to see current openings and follow us on LinkedIn for more information.
Martha Navarro is one of Sci.bio’s wonderful Senior Recruiting Associates. She came to life sciences recruiting from a background in STEM education and has been a valuable part of the Sci.bio team for more than two years.
Read below to learn more about Martha, including her greatest strengths and challenges in recruiting, her work volunteering and fostering animals outside of work, and her advice for new recruiters.
How did you get into recruiting, and how did you end up at Sci.bio?
As someone with a STEM education background, the most tangible options were to work lab related roles or apply to med school. I took a chance and applied to one of Sci.bio’s job posts. Turns out it’s a great fit and compliments quite a few skills I’m still developing here at Sci.bio!
What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter?
There’s spontaneity! Something is always changing whether it’s supporting clients or managing candidate relationships. As you support others, there’s so much to learn with great potential to keep developing yourself.
What do you find most challenging about recruiting?
If I had to name one challenging aspect of recruiting, it would be not being able to connect everyone to opportunities. The biotech industry is everchanging, and we all know of someone who has been impacted by layoffs. Safe to say, there’s amazing talent out there and not enough roles.
What are your passions and interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I spend my time volunteering with a non-profit TNR group. I’d love to continue fostering, but there’s only so many foster fails that can be had! I enjoy having coffee with friends, reading a good mystery thriller series, and listening to podcasts.
What do you think your greatest strength is as a recruiter?
My ability to connect with people and persevere has been incredibly helpful. To me, being a recruiter isn’t just about being on the phone or behind a computer. These are real people looking for their next role or clients looking to build out their teams.
What advice would you give to someone entering the world of biotech recruiting, or recruiting in general?
Recruiting takes time and focus. You truly learn once you begin immersing yourself in the role. Find what works for you, there’s no perfect recruiting method but always ways to improve. The industry and people that come with it are always changing. Take the time to understand each. You’ll be a better recruiter for it and know how to navigate unknowns.
What are your goals that you hope to accomplish as a recruiter?
As a recruiter, I hope to always be a reliable resource for candidates and clients. My aim by the end of each interaction is to have answered any questions or concerns. I’d like to continue supporting clients for hiring needs and utilizing my ability to connect with others to bring in my own.
If you’re looking to fill a role with a highly qualified candidate, Sci.bio’s recruitment services can help. We know that no two clients are the same, so we provide customized recruiting support that adapts to a given client’s structure and needs and have placed successful candidates with a variety of companies. Please contact us to connect with a recruiter and discuss your needs, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Lauren Money is one of Sci.bio’s Recruiting Partners focusing on RPO and Contingency searches. She worked in the microbiology departments of pharmaceutical companies for six years before deciding to move beyond the lab and into the world of biotech recruiting, and now brings this knowledge gained in the lab to her work as a recruiter.
Read below about Lauren’s journey, her strengths and challenges as a recruiter, her goals for the future, and more:
How did you get into recruiting, and how did you end up at Sci.bio?
I was looking to get into a role where I could utilize my pharma background, but not necessarily work on the bench. My sister is in HR and mentioned recruiting, so I applied with Sci.bio and have loved it ever since!
What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter?
I love the flexibility and constantly having new roles to work on and learn more about.
What do you find most challenging about recruiting?
There are slow times during the year with holidays, so it can be hard sometimes when there is not much to work on, but then there are times where it is crazy busy and it all evens out in the end!
What are your passions and interests outside of work?
I love reading, hiking with my two German shepherds and spending time with my husband and daughter.
What do you think your greatest strength is as a recruiter?
I am very motivated and will jump on a role very quickly to find qualified candidates for clients as quickly as possible.
What advice would you give to someone entering the world of biotech recruiting, or recruiting in general?
Like any new role, it will take some time to figure out the ins and outs and what works best for you. Be patient with yourself and know you learn more from your mistakes than from your successes.
What are your goals that you hope to accomplish as a recruiter?
I want to be able to run my own full desk, helping to make placements and bring in new clients.
If you’re looking to fill a role with a highly qualified candidate, Sci.bio’s recruitment services can help. We know that no two clients are the same, so we provide customized recruiting support that adapts to a given client’s structure and needs and have placed successful candidates with a variety of companies. Please contact us to connect with a recruiter and discuss your needs, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Carter Lewis is one of Sci.bio Recruiting’s Senior Scientific Recruiting Associates. As his three-year anniversary at Sci.bio approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on his journey as a recruiter, and what he’s learned during his time in the world of life sciences recruiting so far.
How did you get into recruiting, and how did you end up at Sci.bio?
I found my way into the recruiting world shortly after graduating from college. At a heavily project-based school, I enjoyed immersing myself in the science of biotechnology during my short academic tenure, but I did not envision myself sitting on the bench and running experiments all day. I started looking into alternative biotech careers where I could be involved in this innovative industry and connect with leaders in the space without following the traditional scientist route. I stumbled across a posting for a biotech recruiting position and wanted to learn more about it. I talked with Eric along with other Sci.bio recruiters and enjoyed candid conversations about the biotech recruiting career path. I thought it would be a perfect fit for my aspirations, and the welcoming environment of Sci.bio sealed the deal!
What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter?
My favorite aspect of recruiting is the people I meet every day. I have the privilege of meeting leaders in the industry, and listening as they explain their technology and how it could be used to positively impact the quality of life of patients across the world. I also have the opportunity to meet scientists and learn something new from them each day while making meaningful connections.
What do you find most challenging about recruiting?
Recruiting is not an easy profession. It requires thick skin to overcome rejection from prospects that aren’t interested, hiring managers with lofty expectations, and candidates that chose a different path. You need to be able to pick yourself up after a loss and persevere with a positive attitude to fill those tough positions.
What are your passions and interests outside of work?
I enjoy anything that involves staying active in the outdoors! I spend my summer weekends in NH, from backpacking trips in the White Mountains to mountain biking with friends. In the winter I travel north to ski at Sunday River or in the Vermont backcountry. I also take pride in cultivating all varieties of spicy peppers and tending to my succulents.
What do you think your greatest strength is as a recruiter?
While there are many challenges in recruiting, one that I excel at is managing client relationships. Some clients and hiring managers have very specific visions for who they are looking for and how they want to build out their team, while others need a lot of guidance. I walk the line between listening to their needs while also providing honest feedback on unattainable expectations. Their expertise is focused on science and their company’s direction, while ours is the recruiting market. It requires a collaborative effort to build out the perfect team for success.
What advice would you give to someone entering the world of biotech recruiting, or recruiting in general?
Hold yourself accountable. You are going to face challenges, you won’t fill every position, and you will have some failures. Growth requires taking a step back and evaluating yourself honestly. Assess what worked, learn from your mistakes, and steps you can take to improve and become a better recruiter.
I was fortunate enough to be mentored by successful recruiters like Mike Cordaro and Eric Celidonio and learned how important it was to watch and listen to other recruiters. Pick up some of their tips and tricks, learn from their mistakes, and form a recruiting style that works for you.
If you’re looking to fill a role with a highly qualified candidate, Sci.bio’s recruitment services can help. We know that no two clients are the same, so we provide customized recruiting support that adapts to a given client’s structure and needs and have placed successful candidates with a variety of companies. Please contact us to connect with a recruiter and discuss your needs, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Despite the increasingly remote nature of work in our post-pandemic world, location remains one of the most important factors for candidates, and a crucial component in choosing a recruiting agency to assist with a search – especially within the realm of life sciences recruiting. Whether home to distinguished research universities, biotech companies, or cutting-edge startups, every biotech hub boasts its own unique ecosystem and research goals, and direct experience within that specific environment can be instrumental in recruiting and hiring the right candidate for a role.
Sci.bio Recruiting was founded after decades of experience in the Boston-Cambridge life sciences world. While Sci.bio is still headquartered in the Boston area, we’ve also grown nationally: we now have employees all over the country, and serve clients nationwide.
From Biotech Beach in California to Genetown in Boston, our recruiters live and work where you live and work. Read on for a selection of our recruiting partners and leaders in locations across the U.S.
Brian Riehle – Managing Partner in California
Brian Riehle lives in San Diego, California, a part of the Biotech Beach area.
He joined Sci.bio in 2023 to build out the company’s presence in the California biotech space. Having worked in recruiting for 15 years, much of that time in California, he possesses a unique understanding of the specific research environment in Biotech Beach, and heads Sci.bio’s business development on the West Coast.
Brian has found it fulfilling to work within the burgeoning biotech space in San Diego: “Empowering the future of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in San Diego, as a staffing professional, is like weaving the threads of innovation. Bridging the realms of academia and industry, we are the linchpins, connecting brilliant minds with visionary companies, fostering growth, and shaping tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”
He’s confident that San Diego will continue to be host to groundbreaking biotech research: “San Diego is a major hub for biotech and will continue to attract talent and innovative companies to the area.”
Martha Navarro – Senior Recruiting Associate in South Carolina
Martha Navarro lives in South Carolina and works as a Senior Recruiting Associate at Sci.bio.
Though she grew up in California and only recently relocated to South Carolina, she appreciates the growing research presence in the area: “I’m a Scientific Recruiter living in the Florence area of South Carolina. Even though I’m relatively new here, I’ve discovered there’s more to the state than just its Southern charm! Cities like Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, and Clemson are developing a research presence. As a recruiter, it’s exciting to see this growth and it inspires me to continue forming connections. I hope that with the years to come, South Carolina will be known not only for their southern hospitality but as an emerging research hub where both locals and non-locals can experience the warm welcome I’ve received.”
Martha also speaks Spanish, which has enhanced her ability to communicate with candidates from various backgrounds and in myriad locations: “My ability to speak both English and Spanish has also helped me engage with a diverse range of candidates and opened the door to new opportunities.”
Laura Helmick – Managing Partner in North Carolina
Laura Helmick, one of Sci.bio Recruiting’s Managing Partners, grew up and continues to live in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area, colloquially known as Research Triangle Park.
Having spent much of her life in this area, she’s uniquely able to recognize the way the opportunities in the area have expanded throughout the years: “I grew up in Chapel Hill when there was only 1 high school. 30+ years later, it’s hard to truly digest how much the RTP area has changed. Regardless of the tremendous growth, I still see that southern charm and small town feel but (thankfully) a lot more diversity and opportunities, professionally and personally. The early research and discovery out of Duke, NC State and UNC really seemed to feed the growth in this area for businesses like CROs, CDMOs, and Biotechs; it just keeps expanding! The ‘Triangle’ area has so much to offer. I can’t imagine living anywhere else and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this area.”
Stacy Saltzer – Senior Recruiting Partner in Ohio
Stacy Saltzer lives in Akron, Ohio and works as a Senior Recruiting Partner and Director of Sourcing at Sci.bio.
With over 25 years of experience in RPO and executive search, she now brings her expertise to the BioMidwest area: “Living and working in Akron, Ohio has been an enriching experience for me, both professionally and personally. From a biotech recruiting standpoint, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with a diverse talent pool and contribute to the growth of the industry while working remotely. Additionally, being able to converse with our clients in French has been advantageous, allowing me to foster stronger relationships and better serve our global clientele. On a personal level, Akron offers a welcoming community, vibrant culture, and convenient access to nature, making it a great place to call home.”
Beyond the major biotech hubs of Boston/Cambridge, San Diego, and RTP, we also have employees in over 20 states, including Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Vermont, to name a few. Our recruiters are deeply ingrained within the same communities in which you live and work, and uniquely poised to help you find and hire successful candidates wherever you are.
If you’re looking to fill a role with a highly qualified candidate, Sci.bio’s recruitment services can help. We know that no two clients are the same, so we provide customized recruiting support that adapts to a given client’s structure and needs, and have placed successful candidates with a variety of companies. Please contact us to connect with a recruiter and discuss your needs, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date.
Brian Riehle lives in San Diego, California, a part of the Biotech Beach area.
Martha Navarro lives in South Carolina and works as a Senior Recruiting Associate at Sci.bio.
Laura Helmick – Managing Partner in North Carolina
Stacy Saltzer – Senior Recruiting Partner in Ohio