Field Application Scientist - Image and Detection Systems (Northeast United States)
Territory: Northeast United States (MA, CT, RI, NH, VT, ME) with occasional travel to other regions as needed. Approximately 50% travel required; ideal candidate resides near Boston.
About the Role
Within the Protein and Cell Analysis (PCA) business, you will empower researchers with innovative imaging and detection technologies that accelerate biological discovery and translational research. As a Field Application Scientist (FAS) supporting our Imaging & Detection portfolio, you will serve as the scientific and technical expert for customers throughout the evaluation, implementation, and ongoing use of Thermo Fisher Scientific's imaging and detection platforms, including EVOS microscopes, Celleste Image Analysis Software, Varioskan multimode plate readers, iBright imaging systems, and emerging technologies.
In this customer-facing role, you will partner with academic researchers, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and core laboratory facilities to optimize experimental workflows, troubleshoot scientific challenges, and enable successful adoption of our technologies. You will work closely with Sales, Product Management, R&D, Technical Support, and Marketing to deliver an outstanding customer experience while helping advance cutting-edge research.
Responsibilities
- Deliver scientific application support pre- and post-instrument sales for Thermo Fisher Scientific's Imaging & Detection portfolio.
- Design and deliver customer training through onsite visits, virtual meetings, workshops, webinars, and scientific presentations.
- Consult with customers on experimental design, assay development, workflow optimization, and data interpretation.
- Troubleshoot complex scientific, application, and workflow-related issues across imaging and detection technologies.
- Serve as a trusted scientific advisor, helping customers maximize the value and performance of their instruments.
- Collaborate with Technical Support and Service teams to resolve customer issues efficiently.
- Provide scientific guidance across a broad range of biological applications, including:
- Brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, live-cell imaging, immunofluorescence and fluorescence-based assays.
- Cell counting, confluency, morphology, and viability analysis.
- Multimode plate reader applications (absorbance, fluorescence intensity, luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence (TRF), FRET and TR-FRET assays, ELISA and immunoassays, enzyme activity assays, cell viability and proliferation assays).
- Western blot imaging and protein detection workflows.
- Image acquisition, image analysis, assay optimization, and quantitative data analysis.
- Partner closely with Account Managers and Business Development teams to support product evaluations, demonstrations, customer presentations, and scientific discussions.
- Provide technical expertise during customer visits, workshops, and seminars.
- Contribute to commercial success by enabling customer confidence and successful product adoption.
- Build relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and scientific collaborators.
- Represent Thermo Fisher Scientific at scientific conferences, workshops, and customer events.
- Present scientific seminars highlighting imaging technologies, assay development, and workflow solutions.
- Stay current on emerging technologies and scientific advances in imaging, detection, spatial biology, and protein analysis.
- Serve as the Voice of the Customer by communicating customer feedback, application insights, and market trends to Product Management, R&D, Marketing, and Commercial Leadership.
- Identify emerging customer needs and opportunities for future product innovation.
- Support product launches by providing field-based scientific expertise.
- Deliver technical training to internal commercial teams.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related life science discipline.
- 2+ years laboratory experience using imaging and detection technologies.
- Hands-on expertise with fluorescence microscopy and imaging-based experimental workflows.
- 2+ years experience designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting fluorescence imaging experiments, including sample preparation, staining strategies, controls, and image acquisition.
- 2+ years experience using multimode plate readers for absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence, FRET, TR-FRET, ELISA, enzyme kinetics, cell viability, or related assays.
- 2+ years experience with protein detection workflows, including western blot imaging.
- Strong understanding of quantitative assay development and experimental controls.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently from a remote home office.
- Willingness to travel approximately 50%.
- Valid driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience working in an imaging core facility or shared instrumentation laboratory.
- Experience supporting high-end microscopy systems.
- Experience with high-content imaging or automated microscopy workflows.
- Experience with spatial biology, multiplex imaging, or spatial proteomics applications.
- Experience with image analysis software such as Celleste, ImageJ/Fiji, CellProfiler, QuPath, HALO, or similar platforms.
- Hands-on experience with EVOS microscopes, Varioskan plate readers, iBright imaging systems, or comparable technologies.
- Experience delivering scientific presentations, workshops, or customer training.
- Experience in a customer-facing scientific role such as Field Application Scientist, Applications Specialist, Technical Support Scientist, or Core Facility Scientist.
Environmental Conditions
- Laboratory setting.
- Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required, including safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs, etc.
Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri).
Pay
Starting salary for this position is $66,000 - $99,000 depending on geographic location, experience, and qualifications. Position may also be eligible for a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.
Benefits
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
- Retirement and savings programs, such as a competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.