Field Applications Scientist & Engineer

MGI; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

MGI in Brisbane seeks a Field Applications Scientist & Engineer (Mid Level) to train customers on sequencers, automate workflows, and provide bioinformatics support across APAC. Based in Herston, you will deliver end-to-end technical support for instruments, software, and data analysis.

The successful candidate holds a Master’s or higher in bioinformatics or molecular biology, is proficient in Python and Java, and enjoys cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master's level or higher in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, or molecular biology.
• Strong programming skills in Python and Java; automation scripting experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end technical training for MGI sequencers, automation tools, assays and analysis software.
• Troubleshoot complex issues across wet-lab workflows, chemistry, hardware/software interfaces, and NGS data.
• Develop and maintain Python scripts and Java tools for automation and diagnostics.
• Support bioinformatics analysis and pipeline optimization for customer data.
• Serve as the technical lead for pre- and post-sales demonstrations and customer scoping.

Skills

Python

Java

Education

Master's degree or above in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related discipline

Job description

Job title: Field Applications Scientist & Engineer (Mid Level)

Location: Herston, Brisbane

Employment type: Full Time

Expand Your Horizons and Promote Advanced Life Science Tools for Future Healthcare with MGI #OMICS FOR ALL #Leading Life Science Innovation

About BGI

BGI Group was founded in 1999 in China with the vision of using genomics for the benefit of mankind and has since become the largest genomics organization in the world. With over 10,000 employees, BGI operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on research and applications in healthcare, agriculture, conservation, and environmental fields. BGI has a proven track record of innovative, high-profile research, which has generated over 4,500 publications, with 420+ publications in top-tier journals such as Nature, Science and Cell. Additionally, in the field of R&D, BGI was ranked No.1 among corporations in the life science/biotechnology sector in the Asia-Pacific region and No.5 worldwide by Nature Index.

About MGI

MGI is one of the subsidiaries of BGI Group, it is committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science through intelligent innovation. With a focus on R&D, production, and sales of DNA sequencing instruments, reagents, and related products, MGI provides real-time, panoramic, and full-life-cycle equipment and systems for precision medicine, precision agriculture, precision healthcare, and other relevant industries.

MGI is a leading producer and one of the few companies in the world that can independently develop and mass-produce clinical high-throughput gene sequencers, its multi-omics platforms include genetic sequencing, medical imaging, and laboratory automation.

Our Mission

is to develop and promote advanced life science tools for future healthcare, and to transform people’s lives for the better. We don’t hesitate to make bold decisions that can help us achieve new breakthroughs. We believe that the success of our business will mean a better world for people to live in.

Our Message

to the world is simple: lead in life science innovation, make everyone’s life healthier and longer.

Your duties as a FASE include but are not limited to the following:

• Customer Training & Workflow Delivery: Coordinate and conduct end-to-end technical training for MGI sequencers, automated liquid handlers, assays, and analysis software.
• Troubleshooting & Failure Analysis: Diagnose and resolve complex issues across wet-lab experimental design, chemistry, hardware/software interfaces, and NGS secondary/tertiary data processing. Perform preliminary on-site root cause analysis and elevate findings to relevant engineering and product divisions.
• Custom Software & Scripting Development: Design, build, and maintain Python scripts and Java-based tools for automated liquid handlers and sequencers—including customer-facing utilities, and internal diagnostic/troubleshooting software.
• Bioinformatics & Pipeline Support: Conduct secondary and tertiary NGS data analysis; customize, test, and optimize analytical pipelines to resolve customer data issues and improve workflow efficiency.
• Pre-Sales & Post-Sales Automation Architecture: Serve as the primary technical specialist for automation across the sales cycle, delivering technical demos, scoping customer automation needs, and fine-tuning/optimizing liquid handling scripts prior to handover.
• R&D Liaison & Product Lifecycle Feedback: Act as the technical bridge between wet-lab biology teams and software/hardware developers. Perform early-stage user testing, log bugs, and advocate for customer-requested software features and instrument control improvements with global R&D.
• Technical Documentation & Process Standardization: Author standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical protocols, and best-practice guides to standardize internal field operations and customer workflows.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Proactively share technical expertise with peers, mentor new hires, and support continuous skill-building across the regional field team.

The successful candidates for this position can demonstrate:

• Master’s degree or above in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience in NGS and scientific programming).
• Programming & Automation Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in Python and Java; direct experience writing automation scripts for liquid handlers, developing internal utilities, and troubleshooting instrument control software.
• NGS & Bioinformatics Expertise: Hands‑on experience with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows, secondary/tertiary data analysis, and pipeline modification.
• Customer-Facing Technical Experience: Proven track record in pre-sales and post-sales technical support, customer training, and cross‑functional technical scoping.
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to translate complex software and computational requirements to wet-lab scientists, software engineers, and commercial stakeholders.
• Travel: Willingness to travel regionally and internationally, primarily across APAC, including China HQ, for customer deployments, complex troubleshooting, and advanced technical training. Travel is expected to be infrequent.

Here at BGI, we value people and consider our employees as partners. We have created a transparent, fair, and friendly environment. We implement an agile approach to management, providing each partner with enough independence as well as guidance. We take care of our partners’ physical and mental health and are dedicated to a life-work balance corporate culture.

Not only do we bring life science closer to people, but we also participate in various charity programs, advocate for nature preservation, and support equality. We condemn any form of discrimination and are committed to providing job opportunities to everyone regardless of sex, race, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and more.

Let’s move to a brighter and more equal future together and deliver #Omicsforall