Principal Recruiter, Research Talent

About the role

We are hiring our first Principal Recruiter dedicated entirely to research. This person will play a foundational role in how we identify, engage, and close world-class research talent.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with research leadership to understand priorities, define critical talent needs, and build recruiting strategies for high-impact research hires.
• Own deeply strategic searches for senior researchers, research leaders, and exceptional emerging talent across AI, machine learning, and adjacent technical fields.
• Build a clear and continuously evolving map of the research talent market, including labs, universities, startups, companies, research groups, and individual contributors shaping the field.
• Develop long-term relationships with outstanding candidates, including people who are not actively looking and may require thoughtful, patient engagement.
• Turn market insight, network signal, and candidate context into practical recommendations for hiring managers and senior leaders.
• Design and manage tailored candidate processes that reflect the seniority, motivations, confidentiality needs, and evaluation requirements of each search.
• Advise on candidate positioning, timing, compensation strategy, closing approach, and potential risks for especially important hires.
• Help establish the operating model, standards, and talent intelligence practices for research recruiting as the function grows.

Requirements

Significant experience recruiting highly technical, senior, executive, academic, or otherwise specialized talent. A strong track record of building relationships with exceptional candidates who are not actively searching or who require a highly personalized recruiting approach. Excellent judgment, discretion, and follow-through in sensitive or confidential hiring situations. Deep curiosity about AI research, technical talent markets, and the people and institutions shaping the frontier. Strong talent intelligence instincts: you know how to gather context, interpret incomplete information, and convert signal into action. Experience partnering with senior leaders and influencing recruiting strategy in ambiguous, fast-moving environments. The ability to balance long-term relationship building with the urgency required to close critical hires. A low-ego, high-ownership approach to building something important from an early stage.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as computer science, engineering, or a related discipline. Proven success in recruiting senior-level talent in the tech industry. Experience working with research teams and understanding the nuances of the AI research landscape. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with candidates and stakeholders.

Skills

• Exceptional networking and relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Experience with sourcing and evaluating candidates in the tech industry
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of the AI research landscape and its key players

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package, equity options, professional development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

Pay

Salary range: $200,000 - $300,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position, 40 hours per week.