The definitive list of top life-science recruiters in 2025: biotech, pharma, med-tech, CRO/CDMO. What each firm is best known for, and why Sci.bio stands out.

We prioritized life-science specialization, track record at scale (from executive-level to bench roles), global reach, breadth of service (encompassing executive search, contingency, contract, and RPO/embedded), and scientific credibility.

What makes them different: Sci.bio operates using a scientists-turned-recruiters model with highly flexible engagement – with recruiters specializing in each area from executive search, contingent/contract staffing, and RPO/embedded teams. Sci.bio can integrate with a company’s existing internal talent acquisition/HR function, as well as manage payroll, giving startups and scale-ups a total talent solution without enterprise-level overhead. Overall, Sci.bio is a perfect fit for venture-backed biotechs, PE portfolio companies, and growing public players that need a bespoke, cost-sensible partner across R&D, clinical, and go-to-market. 

Klein Hersh is a precision executive search firm focused exclusively on life sciences and healthcare. They’re known for their expertise delivering C-suite talent and functional heads across the fields of biotech, pharma, med-tech, and tools/diagnostics. They pull from a diverse pool of talent, highlighting that 54% of their placements since 2020 were women and/or people of color. 

Specializing in global board & executive search with deep sector intel and proprietary BI/AI mapping, Coulter Partners boast a dynamic global network including innovators in over 40 countries. They boast strong coverage across biotech, med-tech, diagnostics, and digital health, and also offer leadership consulting services.

Proclinical is a life-sciences-only growth partner aiming to combat unmet medical needs worldwide. They offer strategy-to-staffing services, with tailored permanent, contract, and project solutions for biotech, pharma, devices, and CROs across the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Planet Pharma offers global staffing across the pharma, biotech, med-device and CRO fields. They specialize in rapid-response staffing solutions, and offer executive search services via PPG Advisory Partners. This company is an especially strong pick for high-volume programs and study resourcing. 

Barrington James recruiters are life-sciences specialists with a strong presence within the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. They’re known for inch-wide, mile-deep domain recruiting across clinical development, HEOR/RWE, medical, and commercial realms. They also specialize in identifying and attracting top talent across each and every stage of the drug-development cycle. 

EPM Scientific aims to operate as an extension of your organization, acting as a global partner in the placement of senior talent across R&D, clinical, safety, QA/RA, and commercial sectors. They’re particularly handy for multinational builds and when searching for especially niche skill sets.

SThree is the only pure-play STEM workforce consultancy, working within 11 countries and delivering contract and permanent talent solutions across the biotech, pharma, and med-device fields. They’re particularly useful for support regionally and across the Asia-Pacific region and surge hiring. 

 9) Hobson Prior 

Hobson Prior’s team of consultants, many of whom have worked within the industry themselves, specialize in life-sciences-only recruitment since 2002, mixing permanent and contract solutions. They recruit across a variety of sectors, from Biometrics and Clinical Operations, to Engineering and Regulatory Affairs, and more. 

10) Fraser Dove International

Fraser Dove is a boutique executive search firm dedicated to life-science leadership. They work across various realms of the life science value chain, from C-Suite and Board to R&D to Business Services. They’re especially well regarded for senior functional and business-critical mandates.

A United States-focused executive search firm with deep expertise in diagnostics, genomics, biotech, and health-tech fields, Slone Partners offers have been offering values-driven recruiting for twenty-five years. They also offer fractional talent. 

RBW Consulting offers life-science recruitment and strategic consultancy through what they call “Human Intelligence”. They’re especially good for cross-functional programs and medical communications-adjacent roles 

CK Group is a UK-based specialist firm covering science and clinical roles across the UK and European Union, as well as within the US. They have over 30 years of experience, and specialize in recruiting for bench for lab, QA/RA roles, and CGT talent.

With thirty years of expertise in talent acquisition under their belts, SRG delivers workforce solutions across R&D, clinical, and manufacturing/engineering fields, drawing from a robust talent database and using customized search strategies. They’re especially solid for regulated functions. 

KellyScience is a large-scale scientific staffing provider offering contract, direct hire, and FSP hiring. Their model of scientists recruiting scientists is effective, and they have broad national reach – they’re especially useful for multi-site builds. 

• Total-talent partner (exec → RPO → contract): Sci.bio
• Board/C-suite bench: Klein Hersh, Coulter Partners, Slone Partners 
• Global multi-country builds: Proclinical, Planet Pharma, EPM Scientific, SThree
• Scaling lab/QA/RA functions quickly: CK Group (CK Science/Clinical), SRG (Science Recruitment Group), KellyScience & Clinical

• Scope & speed: Executive only, or exec + lab/clinical + GxP + commercial?
• Engagement model: Retained, contingency, RPO/embedded, or hybrid?
• Scientific fluency: Will you interact with scientist-recruiters? (Less re-explaining, better screens.)
• Capacity & geography: Can they staff globally – across the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region for instance – and manage multi-site rollouts?
• Data & reporting: What are their pipeline metrics, DE&I slates, time-to-fill, and hiring ROI? 

What’s the difference between life-science executive search and staffing?
Executive search focuses on VP/C-suite/board via retained mandates; staffing covers contract/contingent, FSP, and permanent across lab, clinical, QA/RA, and commercial sectors. 

When should a biotech company choose RPO/embedded recruiting?
When you need predictable cost, velocity, and hiring ops for 10–100+ roles over 6–18 months – without the necessity of building a full internal TA team.