Katja Helenius
About Katja Helenius
Katja Helenius is a Senior Scientific Recruiter at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, specializing in full cycle recruiting for start-up biotech companies. With a background in academic research and extensive experience in recruitment, she has worked in various roles across prominent institutions and companies.
Work at Broad Institute
Katja Helenius has been employed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard as a Senior Scientific Recruiter since 2023. In this role, she focuses on full cycle recruiting for start-up biotech companies, leveraging her extensive experience in the field. Her responsibilities include managing multiple recruitment requisitions, leading onsite interviews, and conducting reference checks. She collaborates closely with hiring managers and HR to develop job descriptions and facilitate debrief meetings.
Previous Experience in Recruitment
Prior to her current position, Katja Helenius worked at several organizations in recruitment roles. She served as a Senior Sourcing Talent Acquisitions Manager at Syneos Health from 2021 to 2022. Before that, she was a Scientific Recruiting Partner at Sci.bio Recruiting from 2018 to 2020 and also held the position of Scientific Recruiting Associate at the same company from 2017 to 2018. Additionally, she worked as a Corporate Recruiter at Sema4 from 2020 to 2021 and as a Senior Recruiter at Korn Ferry from 2022 to 2023.
Academic Background and Research Focus
Katja Helenius has a strong academic background, having studied at the University of Helsinki. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from 2005 to 2011. Prior to that, she completed a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Molecular Biology from 2001 to 2005. Her research experience spans 15 years, focusing on RNA biology, biochemistry, and oncology. She has held postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard Medical School and MIT, where she worked in laboratories led by Lewis Cantley and Philip Sharp, respectively.
Recruitment Skills and Specializations
Katja Helenius specializes in full cycle recruiting, particularly for start-up biotech companies with employee counts ranging from 30 to 200. She is proficient in utilizing various Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the recruitment process. Katja manages up to 14 recruitment requisitions simultaneously and is experienced in conducting interviews and reference checks. Her role requires regular interaction with hiring managers and HR to refine job descriptions and conduct post-interview debriefs.