Example Field Application Scientist job description (large biotechnology company)
Position Summary:
The Field Applications Scientist position is responsible for enabling customer success within their territory. The successful
applicant will be part of an award-winning customer support team that leads the industry in customer satisfaction. The
Field Applications Scientist partners with customers to provide technical training, troubleshooting, and complaint
resolution. This position serves as a scientific consultant during pre- and post-sales activities and will collaborate with the
broader commercial team to maximize sales growth and customer satisfaction.
This role requires troubleshooting, communication, time management, situational awareness, poise under pressure, and
collaboration. You will be expected to build and maintain strong relationships across territory Service and Support teams,
Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, and Quality organizations.
Responsibilities:
• Coordinate new installations, including facility inspections and instrument validation.
• Answer questions on customer lab and experimental design, workflow best practices, and data storage & analysis.
• Conduct on-site customer training on company Next-Generation Sequencing, library preparation, bioinformatics,
consumables, or related products.
• Troubleshoot customer complaints related to biochemistry, assay or experimental design, software, instruments,
or user's technical skill. Escalate to appropriate internal resources as necessary to maximize customer uptime and
minimize customer effort.
• Communicate essential technical product updates to customers and sale counterparts to drive customer success.
• Partner with other functional roles and teammates under the company team-selling model that includes various
specialist roles, (key) account managers, district sales managers, and Inside Sales to execute on and assist with the
development of strategic plans for winning new business and expanding current customer growth and success
through consulting, presentations, workshops, demonstrations, and seminars.
• Contribute to customer relationship management, understanding customer goals, setting appropriate product and
performance expectations, and gathering intelligence regarding competitive intel and new sales opportunities.
• Support new product development through alpha and beta tests.
• Maintain knowledge of competitor activities and innovations within the marketplace.
• Provide efficient communication on strategic and competitive customer feedback to other teams.
• Participate in departmental project teams; work collaboratively to execute project plans.
• Prioritize tasks and responsibilities to achieve departmental key performance metrics.
• Represent the company professionally, ethically, and morally at all times.
Requirements:
• 3+ years biotech experience preferred.
• Knowledge of genomics, sequencing applications, and methods that apply to company technology.
• Prior field experience supporting customers in a highly technical field helpful.
• Demonstrated understanding of commonly-used bioinformatics tools and programs helpful.
• Proficient with general lab best practices and common Molecular Biology techniques.
• Experience with lab or liquid handling automation helpful.
• Capacity to interact with principal investigator-level scientists, and bioinformaticians and laboratory personnel.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication and superior presentation and training skills.
• Ability to operate as an independent contributor and as a cooperative member of a team.
• Commitment to providing outstanding customer service.
• Ability to successfully operate in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Capacity to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Must be willing to travel up to 50%.
Experience/Education:
• Typically requires a Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related field and 3+ years of
experience; or a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
