At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic recruitment for top-tier research talent in AI and machine learning.
- Company: Join Odyssey, an innovative AI lab transforming industries with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with a mission to revolutionise technology.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI by connecting with world-class researchers and leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in recruiting specialized talent and a passion for AI research.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Odyssey is an AI lab pioneering general world models: causal, multimodal systems that learn to predict and interact with the world over long horizons. This foundational technology promises to revolutionise robotics, science, healthcare, education, gaming, defence, and beyond. Odyssey’s founders previously pioneered the most complex application of physical AI: self-driving cars. They’ve now brought together a world-class research team from DeepMind, Tesla, Waymo, Meta, Apple, and Wayve, who have made significant contributions to language models (DeepMind Gemini), video models (DeepMind Veo), world models (Wayve GAIA), and autonomous systems (Tesla FSD). Odyssey has raised significant venture capital from GV, Amazon, AMD, EQT, NVIDIA, Natural Capital, In-Q-Tel, Elad Gil, Jeff Dean, Guillermo Rauch, Garry Tan, Kyle Vogt, and researchers from OpenAI, DeepMind, MSL, Recursive, and Thinking Machines.
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. Research hiring is rarely linear. The best candidates are often deeply embedded in their work, motivated by intellectual fit, and unlikely to respond to a conventional recruiting process. This role is for someone who knows how to build trust over time, understand the research landscape deeply, and help senior leaders make thoughtful, high‑conviction hiring decisions. You will partner closely with research leadership to define the talent we need, map the people and teams shaping the field, and create highly personalised approaches for exceptional candidates. This is not a high‑volume recruiting role. It is a strategic, relationship‑driven role focused on the researchers, technical leaders, and emerging talent who could meaningfully shape the future of our work. You should be equally comfortable developing long‑term market intelligence, advising leaders on candidate strategy, and personally driving sensitive, high‑priority searches from first conversation through close.
What you’ll do:
- 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.
Who you are:
- Significant experience recruiting highly technical, senior, executive, academic, or otherwise specialised talent.
- A strong track record of building relationships with exceptional candidates who are not actively searching or who require a highly personalised 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.
Principal Recruiter, Research Talent employer: Odyssey
Odyssey is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of AI research within a collaborative and innovative environment. With a focus on building long-term relationships and a commitment to employee growth, you will be part of a world-class team that values your insights and contributions. Located in a vibrant tech hub, Odyssey provides access to a network of leading experts and resources, ensuring that your role as Principal Recruiter will not only be impactful but also deeply rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Recruiter, Research Talent
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
Get involved with communities specifically aimed at talent acquisition and recruitment. Follow popular forums, like the HR and recruitment threads on LinkedIn Groups or join Talent Acquisition Meetups in your area. Networking with fellow recruiters and industry experts can lead to hidden job opportunities and insider tips!
✨Show Off Your Expertise at Recruitment Events
Attend recruitment fairs and industry conferences where companies, including Odyssey, often showcase their hiring needs. Not only can you meet potential employers face-to-face, but you can also demonstrate your passion and knowledge about the field. Make sure you've got some thoughtful questions ready to impress!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still connected to your university, tap into their career services. Many universities have exclusive job boards and connections with companies eager to hire fresh talent in recruitment roles. Plus, you never know who might be able to put in a good word for you at places like Odyssey!
✨Tailor Your Digital Footprint
Make sure your online presence reflects your passion for talent acquisition. Share articles, join discussions, and post about trends in recruiting to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate. Recruiters often check candidates out online, so use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your insights and enthusiasm for discovering the right talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Recruiter, Research Talent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at Odyssey that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Principal Recruiter, Research Talent at Odyssey, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Odyssey
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch Odyssey to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
