Application Scientist

Valley Forge Pharma; Malvern (Chester County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k match

PTO 15 days + 5 sick days + holidays

Life/AD&D

Job summary

Mainline Scientific is seeking an R&D Application Scientist to lead the development and optimization of PWR-based applications, validate methods, and generate technical documentation for external customers.

You will work with R&D, software, engineering, manufacturing, and sales/marketing to translate customer needs into practical solutions, provide technical support, and assist with training and product launches.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc with relevant experience in life sciences or analytical chemistry.
• Hands-on PWR/SPR app development experience is preferred.
• Experience explaining technical concepts to customers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and validation of new PWR applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development and launches.
• Develop assays for life science applications and analyze data for performance.
• Present results to internal teams and external customers and provide training.

Skills

PWR/SPR app development

Label-free biosensors

Protein interaction assays

Customer-facing support

Technical reports

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Biology/Biochemistry/Biophysics or related field with some experience

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

PWR instrumentation software

Job description

REQUIRED: SPR Application Development Exp. + PhD/Masters with some work exp.

Summary/Objective

The R&D Application Scientist will lead the development and optimization of applications based on Mainline Scientific’s PWR technology. The position will develop and validate application methods and assays, generate application protocols and technical documentation, and support the evaluation and improvement of PWR-based products. The Application Scientist will also provide technical and application support to external customers, including troubleshooting, experimental design, application training, and protocol optimization. The role will work closely with R&D, software, engineering, manufacturing, sales/marketing, and other cross-functional teams to translate customer and application needs into practical product and application solutions.

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of new PWR applications through experimental design and execution.
• Collaborate with R&D, software, engineering, manufacturing, and sales/marketing teams to support product development, product launches, commercialization, and continuous product improvement.
• Develop application methods and assays for a variety of life science applications, including drug discovery, protein interaction analysis, biomolecular binding characterization, and other relevant applications.
• Analyze and interpret PWR experimental data and establish appropriate approaches for application performance evaluation, reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, and data quality.
• Present application results and technical information to internal and external audiences, including customers, distributors, conferences, and webinars.
• Assist with preparation of technical materials for sales, marketing, customer training, and product launches.
• Provide technical and application support to external customers, including troubleshooting application issues, identifying root causes, and recommending practical solutions.
• Support customer proof-of-concept studies, application demonstrations, instrument evaluations, and technical training as needed.
• Work with customers and internal teams to understand application requirements and translate customer feedback into application and product development opportunities.
• Prior experience in application development based on PWR, SPR, BLI, or similar biosensor instruments, with a strong understanding of PWR technology or related label-free detection technologies.
• Prior experience in research and development, preferably in analytical chemistry, surface chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, protein sciences, molecular biology, and/or assay development.
• Hands‑on experience with analytical chemistry or bioanalytical instruments, including but not limited to surface plasmon resonance, spectroscopy, or other relevant technologies.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and interpretation of experimental results.
• Hands‑on experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting biological or biochemical assays.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively interact with internal teams, customers, distributors, and other external partners.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and provide practical application guidance to customers with different levels of technical expertise.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple application‑development projects.
• Innovative thinking and a passion for developing new applications, troubleshooting complex problems, and translating scientific concepts into practical solutions

Education, License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications

• Either Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field with some experience OR Master’s degree in a relevant field with ~5 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Skills

• Hands‑on PWR or SPR application development experience.
• Familiarity with label‑free biosensor technologies and biomolecular interaction analysis.
• Experience with protein‑protein, protein‑small molecule, antibody‑antigen, or other biomolecular interaction assays.
• Experience with customer‑facing technical support, application training, instrument demonstrations, or field application support.
• Experience preparing application notes, technical reports, presentations, or other scientific communication materials.

Tools and Technology Used

• Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook…)
• PWR instrumentation and associated data‑analysis/software tools.
• Other laboratory and analytical instrumentation as required for application development.

Work Environment & Mental and Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position; move; operate and use required equipment; and reach items.
• Ability to move/transport up to 30 lbs. and up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to communicate, converse with others, and exchange information

EEO Disclaimer

Mainline Scientific is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment requirements, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the HR Department by calling the Mainline Scientific main line.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

• EEO is the law poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act poster: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf

Other Disclaimers

Please note that this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of required activities, duties, or responsibilities. It is subject to change at any time.

This job description does not constitute an implied or express contract for employment and does not guarantee employment. Employment is at‑will.

We are not able to sponsor visas. We are not an E‑Verify employer.

Mainline Scientific does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company or to this posting without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre‑existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position‑specific.

Medical (HMO + PPO), Dental, Vision, & employer‑paid Basic Life/AD&D + ST Disability

-4% match 401k

PTO: 15 days total (vacation/personal days) + 5 sick days + holidays