Field Application Scientist

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Tustin (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Zymo Research in Tustin, CA is seeking a Scientific Applications & Field Scientist to combine laboratory experimentation with customer support. The role involves developing automation methods, providing technical support, and training customers both on-site and virtually. Candidates should have an advanced degree in molecular biology or a related field, expertise in nucleic acid extraction and PCR, as well as laboratory automation skills. This position offers a hybrid work model and a competitive salary in the range of $90,000 - $115,000 annually, plus a bonus.

Qualifications

• Hands-on expertise in nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, NGS workflows, or related life science techniques.
• Proficiency with laboratory automation platforms and scripting/programming for method development.
• Strong presentation, communication, and training skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments in support of customer applications and market-driven needs.
• Support automation customers with troubleshooting and implementation of workflows.
• Provide on-site and virtual technical support for evaluations and troubleshooting.

Skills

Nucleic acid extraction

PCR/qPCR

NGS workflows

Laboratory automation

Scripting/programming for method development

Strong presentation skills

Technical training

Education

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in molecular biology or related field

Job description

Zymo Research is looking for a dynamic individual to join our team! The Scientific Applications & Field Scientist is a hybrid role combining laboratory-based applications development with direct customer engagement in the field. This role embodies Zymo Research’s scientist-to-scientist philosophy by delivering solutions through experimentation, automation method development, and field applications support, while serving as a trusted technical advisor to both customers and internal teams.

This position is dedicated to doing everything possible in support of the customer: performing experiments, creating application notes, enabling automation workflows, troubleshooting in the field, training global teams, and serving as a technical overlay to business development and sales. The ultimate mission is to bring value, accelerate adoption of Zymo technologies, and help customers succeed in their research.

Join us in making a meaningful impact!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Applications Development & Internal Support

• Perform laboratory experiments in support of customer applications and market-driven needs.
• Translate results into application notes, validated protocols, FAQs, and technical resources.
• Automate workflows for Zymo magnetic bead kits to streamline adoption and reproducibility.
• Design and execute experiments to validate workflows and generate technical collateral.
• Collaborate with R&D, product management, and marketing to improve products and identify new opportunities.
• Contribute to product launch activities by generating data, training materials, and field-deployable resources.
• Provide expert input for technical documentation, white papers, and presentations.

Automation & Field Applications

• Develop, optimize, and script automation methods for customer platforms.
• Support automation customers with troubleshooting, implementation, and scripting of their workflows.
• Serve as a Field Application Scientist for automation customers, including on-site visits and remote support.
• Provide customer training and demonstrations, ensuring seamless adoption of automation solutions.

Customer Engagement & Field Support

• Provide on-site and virtual technical support for evaluations, demonstrations, and troubleshooting.
• Train customers, distributors, and channel partners on the use of Zymo technologies, tailoring delivery to scientific audiences.
• Co-travel with distribution partners to support sales efforts, joint customer visits, and technical credibility.
• Serve as a scientist-to-scientist liaison, understanding workflows and providing consultative solutions.
• Deliver technical talks and presentations at customer sites, conferences, and workshops to promote Zymo tools.

Training & Enablement

• Train internal teams (sales, business development, support, distribution) on applications, workflows, value propositions, and competitive positioning.
• Develop training resources, presentations, and global reference materials for consistent enablement.
• Mentor junior team members or field specialists in customer engagement and technical best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Business Development and Sales to qualify opportunities, build customer confidence, and help close deals.
• Serve the commercial organization by providing experiments, application notes, and marketing data to advance opportunities.
• Act as the technical voice of the customer, capturing and reporting VOC for product improvements and new opportunities.
• Support distribution and channel partners with joint business planning, training programs, and account strategy.
• Represent Zymo at conferences, workshops, and customer events by presenting scientific data and showcasing applications.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or related field; BS with significant laboratory and industry experience considered.
• Hands-on expertise in nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, NGS workflows, or related life science techniques.
• Proficiency with laboratory automation platforms and scripting/programming for method development.
• Strong presentation, communication, and training skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot workflows and develop application-driven solutions.
• Customer-facing experience in field applications, technical support, or sales overlay strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 40–50% (domestic and international).

About Us

Since its inception in 1994, Zymo Research has been proudly serving the scientific community by providing innovative, reliable, and high-quality research tools and products. Whether it's DNA, RNA, epigenetics, microbiomics, protein, or yeast-based research, our philosophy remains the same: To provide the highest quality products in the industry while ensuring they are both simple to use and reliable in their performance.

Compensation

The estimated base compensation range for this position is $90,000 - $115,000 a year at the time of posting. In addition to base compensation, this position offers a discretionary annual bonus potential based on achieving growth targets. Actual compensation details will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Zymo Research welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. These include sex, age, color, race, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical & mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local law.

Location

Onsite – Zymo Research Operations – 2911 Dow Ave., Tustin, CA 92780

Disclaimer: At Zymo, we take the integrity of our hiring process seriously. Please be aware of fraudulent recruitment activities that may use our name to deceive job seekers. We will never ask for payment, sensitive personal information, or financial details during the recruitment process.

All legitimate communications will come from an official Zymo or TriNet Hiring email address. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent us using a free email service or asking for payment, please treat this as fraudulent and report it immediately to [e-mail]