OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs
Field Application Scientist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with lab-based degrees in biology, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in life sciences and diagnostics regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this position.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
Field Application Scientist, Imaging & Detection
When you're part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll do meaningful work that has a real impact on people's lives. Whether helping customers advance cancer research, accelerate scientific discovery, protect the environment, or ensure food safety, your work contributes to making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. You'll collaborate with world-class colleagues while building a rewarding career in an innovative and customer-focused environment.
Discover Impactful Work
Within the Protein and Cell Analysis (PCA) business, we empower researchers with innovative imaging and detection technologies that accelerate biological discovery and translational research. Our portfolio supports applications across cell biology, protein analysis, immunology, drug discovery, and molecular biology, helping scientists generate reliable, high-quality data from experiment design through analysis.
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.
Territory
This position supports customers throughout the Northeast United States, including MA, CT, RI, NH, VT, ME, while occasional travel for other regions may be necessary according to demand.
Approximately 50% travel is required. Candidates should ideally reside near Boston.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Support & Scientific Expertise
- 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.
Applications Scientific Support
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
Commercial Partnership
- 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.
Scientific Leadership
- 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.
Voice of Customer & Cross-functional Collaboration
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- 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.
Success in This Role
Successful Field Application Scientists demonstrate:
- Scientific curiosity and a passion for helping researchers succeed.
- Strong expertise across imaging, detection, and quantitative assay workflows.
- The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- A collaborative mindset and strong partnership with commercial and cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional customer relationship skills built on scientific credibility and trust.
- A proactive approach to solving customer challenges and identifying opportunities for innovation.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, each one of our more than 150,000 colleagues has a unique story to tell. Join us in our mission of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
The starting salary for this position is $66,000 - $99,000 depending on geographic location, experience, and qualifications. In addition, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a competitive benefits package, bonus opportunity, and career development programs.
Apply today and help researchers accelerate discovery through innovative imaging and detection technologies.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform important job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $66,000.00–$99,000.00.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- 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 our 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
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Laboratory Setting, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
Field Application Scientist, Imaging & Detection
When you're part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll do meaningful work that has a real impact on people's lives. Whether helping customers advance cancer research, accelerate scientific discovery, protect the environment, or ensure food safety, your work contributes to making the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. You'll collaborate with world-class colleagues while building a rewarding career in an innovative and customer-focused environment.
Discover Impactful Work
Within the Protein and Cell Analysis (PCA) business, we empower researchers with innovative imaging and detection technologies that accelerate biological discovery and translational research. Our portfolio supports applications across cell biology, protein analysis, immunology, drug discovery, and molecular biology, helping scientists generate reliable, high-quality data from experiment design through analysis.
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.
Territory
This position supports customers throughout the Northeast United States, including MA, CT, RI, NH, VT, ME, while occasional travel for other regions may be necessary according to demand.
Approximately 50% travel is required. Candidates should ideally reside near Boston.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Support & Scientific Expertise
- 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.
Applications Scientific Support
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
Commercial Partnership
- 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.
Scientific Leadership
- 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.
Voice of Customer & Cross-functional Collaboration
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications
- 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.
Success in This Role
Successful Field Application Scientists demonstrate:
- Scientific curiosity and a passion for helping researchers succeed.
- Strong expertise across imaging, detection, and quantitative assay workflows.
- The ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
- A collaborative mindset and strong partnership with commercial and cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional customer relationship skills built on scientific credibility and trust.
- A proactive approach to solving customer challenges and identifying opportunities for innovation.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, each one of our more than 150,000 colleagues has a unique story to tell. Join us in our mission of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
The starting salary for this position is $66,000 - $99,000 depending on geographic location, experience, and qualifications. In addition, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a competitive benefits package, bonus opportunity, and career development programs.
Apply today and help researchers accelerate discovery through innovative imaging and detection technologies.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform important job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in Massachusetts is $66,000.00–$99,000.00.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- 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 our 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
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
See all OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Field Application Scientist
Target life sciences companies with established OPT hiring
Biotech, genomics, and diagnostics companies like Illumina, Thermo Fisher, and 10x Genomics regularly hire OPT students for FAS roles. These organizations have HR infrastructure to handle work authorization and are familiar with STEM OPT extension timelines.
Lead with your hands-on lab and instrumentation experience
FAS hiring managers prioritize candidates who can demonstrate and troubleshoot instruments independently. Highlight specific platforms you've worked with in your resume, whether flow cytometers, sequencers, or mass spectrometers. This technical credibility reduces employer hesitation about sponsorship.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
The FAS interview process often involves multiple rounds and a technical demonstration. Starting your search three to four months before OPT begins gives you a realistic runway to clear hiring stages without pressure from your work authorization clock.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early in conversations
If your degree is in a STEM-designated field, you're eligible for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months. Mentioning this proactively reassures employers that they have a longer window before needing to file an H-1B petition.
Prepare a concise visa status summary for recruiters
Recruiters often misread OPT authorization requirements. A one-paragraph explanation covering your current status, authorized work period, and STEM extension eligibility helps hiring managers move your application forward without unnecessary delays or misconceptions about costs.
Use your thesis or research as a demonstration asset
FAS roles require scientific credibility with customers. If your graduate research involved instruments or assays relevant to the employer's product line, frame that work as applied customer-facing experience. It shortens the gap between academic background and commercial readiness.
Field Application Scientist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Field Application Scientist roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. FAS positions are typically held by graduates in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or related STEM-designated fields. If your degree program appears on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization.
How do I find Field Application Scientist jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. It filters for employers who actively hire F-1 OPT students and sponsor work visas, so you're not wasting time applying to companies that won't consider your status. FAS roles at life sciences, genomics, and diagnostics companies appear regularly, and those employers tend to have established sponsorship processes already in place.
What degree fields are most accepted for Field Application Scientist positions on OPT?
Most FAS job postings require a bachelor's or master's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related life science field. Some clinical or diagnostic FAS roles prefer degrees in clinical laboratory science or medical technology. A doctorate is common at companies where the FAS role involves complex scientific selling or peer-to-peer engagement with research scientists.
Will employers sponsor H-1B visas after my OPT period ends for this role?
Many established life sciences and biotech companies do sponsor H-1B visas for FAS employees, particularly after demonstrating strong performance in the role. That said, H-1B sponsorship depends on individual company policy, the annual lottery, and timing. During interviews, ask directly whether the company has a history of sponsoring H-1B petitions for FAS positions and what their internal process looks like.
Can I work as a Field Application Scientist through a staffing agency on OPT?
OPT regulations require that your employer-employee relationship is bona fide, meaning a staffing or contract arrangement must not place you in a situation where the end client, rather than your direct employer, controls your work. Some contract FAS roles through agencies are structured properly and are permissible, but you should verify the setup with your DSO before accepting to confirm it meets USCIS employment requirements.