Part-Time Field Specialist (United States)

Poppy; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A health tech startup is seeking a part-time Field Scientist to support bioaerosol assessment projects across the United States. This role requires excellent communication and time management skills, and the ability to travel. Ideal candidates should have a background in microbiology or pharmacology. The position offers 10-20 hours of work per week with a competitive hourly wage of $20-$27. Join us in helping people feel safe during these challenging times.

Qualifications

• You must be able to travel within the United States.
• Experience connecting with customers is essential.
• Know the importance of following protocols and making logical scientific judgments.

Responsibilities

• Travel to customer sites across the United States for bioaerosol assessments.
• Assist in designing and executing air assessment projects.
• Collect samples and data from customer sites.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Customer service experience

Education

Medically or pharmacologically trained

MSc, PhD or PostDoc microbiology

Job description

About Poppy

Poppy is the world’s first commercially available pathogen sensing and detection network that helps protect the places where we work, live, and visit by monitoring both air and surfaces for the COVID-19 virus and thousands of other known pathogens.

Poppy was founded in 2019 with a simple mission: to empower the world to stay healthy together by revealing the pathogens in our spaces, so we all can live safer lives.

Privately held, with offices in San Francisco and Toronto, Poppy’s team comprises award-winning serial entrepreneurs and an advisory board representing some of the best scientific and technical minds. We’re hiring part‑time Field Scientists located in Washington, D.C., New York, Las Vegas, Dallas, and San Jose who are able to travel for work and support our growing customer base across the nation.

Poppy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and contractors.

We're on a quest to help people feel safe when working together. We provide full PPE and training and expect this role to be able to explain the basics of COVID and infectious disease transmissions.

About the Role

We are looking for motivated medically or pharmacologically trained people, or those with MSc, PhD or PostDoc microbiology backgrounds (students welcome) located in Washington, D.C., New York, Las Vegas, Dallas, or San Jose with a desire to get deeply involved with working hard to help with managing COVID-19 across the United States

About You

You are an excellent communicator with experience in customer service and a knack for paying attention to detail, who’s looking for hands‑on experience at the earliest stage of a tech/biotech startup. You are ready to try your hand at a variety of tasks and projects in support of the founding team. You deliver high‑quality work when you say you will, and are eager to learn what it takes to get a new product & company off the ground.

You are located in one of the following U.S. cities and are both willing and able to travel periodically to other locations in the United States:

• Washington, D.C.
• New York, New York
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Dallas, Texas
• San Jose, California

What You’ll Do

• Travel to customer sites across the United States to conduct bioaerosol assessment projects
• Connect with customers to help design and execute air assessment projects
• Visit customer sites regularly to collect samples and data
• Follow protocols closely to ensure high‑quality collections
• Interact with customers and act as a liaison to the rest of the team
• Collaborate in a team environment to provide the best Poppy experience
• Meet regularly with the team to discuss operational tasks

What You Need

• Ability to travel within the United States
• Excellent time management skills
• Exceptional verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Know the importance of following protocols and making logical scientific judgments
• Experience in connecting with customers
• Willingness to adapt and improvise if necessary
• Not afraid to share novel ideas and insights
• Valid drivers licence & car (not required if Uber/Lyft is available in your area)

Bonus Points For

• Background in pharmacology, microbiology, immunology, or life sciences
• Laboratory experience and in-depth knowledge in biosafety
• Previous experience in customer service

Job type: Part‑time, Contract

Contract length: 12 months

Part‑time hours: 10-20 hours per week

Salary: $20.00 - $27.00 USD per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability