Field Application Scientist

Sapho Bio; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 171,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Unlimited PTO

Equity options

401(k) matching

Job summary

Sapho Bio is seeking a Field Application Scientist to be the technical voice for customers, working with the sales team to translate Sapho's rapid microbiology methods into customer-fit solutions. The role is on-site in San Carlos, CA, requiring travel to customer sites and a background in chemistry/biochemistry related fields.

You will draft documentation, address method questions, and help drive adoption while collaborating with a fast-growing, science-driven team and benefiting from equity

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• 1+ years in a Field Application Scientist role supporting technical sales.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High technical literacy and ability to quickly learn new methods.
• Willing to travel to customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Work with prospective and current customers to understand testing needs and show how Sapho Bio methods fit their process.
• Serve as the main technical contact for customer quality departments, including questions and audits.
• Draft technical content such as application notes, validation summaries, and method comparisons.
• Support the sales team on technical calls, proposals, and RFPs.
• Assist onboarding of new customers, including method transfer and validation support.
• Provide feedback to the lab and research teams and represent Sapho Bio at conferences.

Skills

Strong communication

Technical literacy

Travel readiness

Education

PhD in chemistry or related field

Tools

qPCR

Job description

Field Application Scientist

Department: Sales

Reports To: Head of Sales

Location: On site, San Carlos, California

Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt, Salary

Compensation: $190,000 USD on-target earnings

About the Company

Sapho Bio is a revenue-generating biotechnology company developing a rapid microbiology release platform designed for the precision medicine era. We are a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers committed to transforming the lot release process through innovation, speed, and accuracy.

Our culture emphasizes agency, innovation, and continual learning. Following the successful validation and launch of our first proprietary assay, we now have over 30 customers and are growing quickly.

About The Role

We are looking for a Field Application Scientist to be the technical voice in front of our customers. You will work alongside our sales team to win and support customers, translating our methods into terms that fit each customer's process and their quality requirements.

Much of this role is working directly with customer quality departments. You will answer their technical questions, draft the documentation they need to adopt our services, and make sure our methods hold up to their review. This role reports to the Head of Sales.

You are a good fit for this role if you are rigorous, smart, and above all hard-working.

Application Requirements:

• Your cover letter should give clear examples of the following:
  • An instance in which you demonstrated an exceptional work ethic
  • An instance in which you explained a technical result to someone who did not share your background
  • An instance in which you supported a technical sale from first conversation through to adoption
• This job is not 9-5
  • This is an opportunity to work very hard, learn a lot, and develop skills that will serve you well throughout your career
  • This is not an opportunity to focus on work life balance

Who You Are:

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
• 1+ years in a Field Application Scientist role supporting technical sales
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• High technical literacy, and the ability to get up to speed quickly on new methods
• Willing to travel to customer sites

Nice to Haves:

• Experience supporting customers in GMP or other regulated environments
• Familiarity with USP <71>, <1223>, and <85>
• Experience with rapid microbiological methods, especially qPCR based methods
• Prior experience at a startup

Responsibilities:

• Work with prospective and current customers to understand their testing needs and show how our methods fit their process
• Serve as the main technical point of contact for customer quality departments, including method questions, documentation requests, and audits
• Draft technical content, including application notes, validation summaries, method comparisons, and responses to customer questionnaires
• Support the sales team on technical calls, proposals, and RFPs
• Help onboard new customers, including method transfer and validation support
• Bring customer feedback back to the lab and research teams
• Represent Sapho Bio at conferences and trade shows
• Whatever else is needed for the company to succeed

Details:

• This is a full-time role based in San Carlos, CA, with travel to customer sites
• The compensation for this role is $190,000 OTE along with equity options in the company and benefits

Life at Sapho Bio

• High-Impact Work: Help transform pharmaceutical testing and accelerate patient access to life‑saving therapies.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Financial Security: 401(k) with company matching and company‑paid life insurance.
• Time to Recharge: Unlimited PTO and company‑recognized holidays.
• Connection & Community: Team lunches, office events, and offsite gatherings.
• Competitive Compensation: Market‑leading salary and meaningful equity participation.
• Fast-Paced Environment: Join a team that moves quickly, learns continuously, and executes with purpose.
• World-Class Team: Work alongside experienced scientists, engineers, and operators.
• Prime Location: Sunny, collaborative workspace in San Carlos.