Field Applications Scientist II

Scope/Role/Description
Provides timely and quality scientific support to current and prospective Agena Bioscience customers, distributors and internal staff. Promotes the scientific aspect of the Agena Bioscience product suite throughout the pre- and post-sales process. Support is primarily provided via customer training and consultative engagements to help drive our Customers success.Customer support may be delivered via phone/conference calls, email, WebEx and possibly in person. This candidate also acts as a key interface between the FAS team and R&D, working in conjunction with the FAS Manager, for project review and hand off prior to commercial launch.
Responsibilities

• Generates scientific interest in Agena Bioscience products by presenting customized demonstrations to potential and current customers in Assays by Agena lab.
• Promotes consumable sales by building customer confidence in Agena Bioscience technology and products through successful genotyping and methylation services projects.
• Provides initial, advanced, and continued scientific training on Agena Bioscience proprietary applications and instruments to external (via phone and Webex) and internal potential and existing customers.
• Contributes to the scientific aspect of the sale of instrumentation, applications, and services including representing Agena Bioscience at trade shows and scientific conferences, as needed and agreed upon with leadership.
• Solves instrument, application, and scientific problems for customers.
• Puts our Customers’ needs first, owns solving our customer’s challenges.
• Uses knowledge of Agena technology solutions and the Clinical landscape to advise customers on how to best leverage our products for their success.
• Contributes expertise and provides “voice of the customer” in synch with marketing counterparts, into continuous product improvement and new product development by discussing customer ideas and needs for new science and technology, performing proof of principle, and participating in R&D and marketing projects.
• If needed, provides scientific input into the sales process through need identification, designing scientific assays, and performing feasibility studies.
• If needed, provides Sales Support via in-house genotyping and methylation projects, product testing, pre-sale feasibility studies, and general laboratory work to external and internal potential and existing customers.

Required skills and experience
Skills

• Customer First, in every interaction.
• Knowledge and support capabilities for the entire Agena Bioscience platform and associated workflows.
• Computer competency – MS Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases.
• In depth understanding of the Clinical market and the regulations around that market. Specifically, CLIA/CAP and FDA markets.
• Basic understanding and competency with sales concepts and processes.
• Excellent leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, a proactive approach and independent thinking to succeed in the department.
• CLIA/CAP accreditation a major plus.
• Widely uses and applies standard principles, theories, concepts and techniques in addition to a working knowledge of related disciplines.
• Understands impact on budget.
• Networks, shares knowledge, and keeps up-to-date with peers in the company.

Problem Solving

• Applies in-depth specialty knowledge within subject area to complete assignments of diverse scope.
• Solves problems in complicated situations through the application and integration of analytical skills, creativity and judgment.
• Provides imaginative, thorough and practical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems.
• Problems are of moderate scope and complexity where analysis of situation or data requires review of identifiable factors.
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Independence

• Works under general direction; assignments are given and reviewed in terms of objectives.
• Determines and develops approach to work.
• Makes decisions guided by established policies, procedures.
• Interprets, executes and may modify policies that affect subordinate organizational units.

Interactions

• Contributes to the development of new plans, models, standards and techniques.
• Adapts communication to accommodate audience diversity and may communicate internally at higher levels
• Frequently interacts and builds effective relationships with subordinates, customers, and functional peer groups normally requiring the ability to gain cooperation of others.
• Represents the company and works with the customer.
• Produces polished, original correspondence and communication material for internal and external audiences.
• Prepares and formally presents results of technical work to large audiences.

Impact

• Impacts business performance and operational efficiency through the delivery of results.
• Failure to obtain organizational outcomes, decisions, or recommendations will result in substantial delays to projects, projects or operations. May result in requirement for additional costs and personnel.

Leadership

• Leads projects of limited scope; provides training and constructive input to team members.
• Acts as coach to other team members.
• Demonstrates courage and willingness to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Places difficult issues on table in open and constructive manner.
• Participates in developing and implementing solutions.

Experience

• B.S. in relevant scientific discipline--Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology
• M.S. or Ph.D. desirable.
• 4+ years' experience in genomics and/or genotyping laboratory required.
• Knowledge of and support capability with Agena Bioscience MassARRAY technology desired.
• Previous experience in a scientific customer support role, in-house or in the field desired.
• Background in Clinical markets, familiar with CLIA regulatory requirements.
• CLIA/CAP Accreditation a plus.

Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions

• Regularly walks, stands, and sits
• Ability to travel when required – approx. 50% - 75% field travel to conferences, customer sites and field trainings
• Regularly works on a computer for approximately 4-8 hours a day, in between travel or lab work
• Occasionally lifts, pushes/pulls, and carries up to 20 pounds
• The position will work in a team environment, interacting with all related cross functional groups throughout the organization, including executive management, manufacturing operations, research and development, business development and marketing, finance, legal, and external consultants where applicable.

Additional Information
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work assigned with this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required
Acknowledgement
This description is a guideline for major duties for this position. Agena reserves the right to change or assign duties as needed.
Agena Bioscience, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.