STEM OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs
Field Application Scientist roles sit squarely in STEM territory, making them a strong fit for OPT students with degrees in biology, chemistry, engineering, or a related field. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your position maps to your degree's CIP code.
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Job Title: Field Applications Scientist III
Reports to: Manager, Field Applications Support
FLSA Class: Exempt
Learn more about our company and how we support you:
Takara Bio USA (TBUSA) empowers life science discovery. We bring innovation and inspiration to every scientist - promoting discoveries that improve health and the environment. We hold values that all employees and prospective candidates should demonstrate: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect, Growth, Diversity and Quality. We value helping employees develop their skills and you will be part of this journey!
At Takara Bio, we know that every experimental decision has an impact. Choices matter, from design to data analysis. We create best-in-class products that get the job done. In your hands, what do those research reagents and kits create? Something powerful: knowledge, understanding, and—often—hope! Together we can improve the human condition through biotechnology…and That's Good Science!
How this role drives the company forward:
The Field Applications Scientist (FAS) III is the primary technical application support contact for Takara instrument and/or spatial biology customers. The FAS III is responsible for customer training, and technical support. The FAS III will partner with the commercial team to deliver pre-sale and post-sale technical support for the instrument and/or spatial biology portfolios. The FAS III will be responsible for training and mentoring new colleagues and delivering feedback and analysis to Marketing and R&D. The goal of the FAS III is to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, resulting in sustained customer relations and long-term success of the corporate strategy.
The Field Applications Scientist III role is remote-based. Approximately 75% travel, including overnight, is required. International travel may be required.
How you will make an impact:
As a key member of Takara Bio USA’s Field Applications team, you will play a pivotal role in advancing life science research by supporting the adoption and success of our innovative spatial biology and single-cell NGS technologies. In this customer-facing position, you will serve as the primary technical expert for single-cell and spatial biology applications, collaborating closely with commercial teams to ensure exceptional customer experience.
Your responsibilities will include:
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Delivering comprehensive, on-site training and technical support to customers, ensuring they are equipped to maximize the value of Takara Bio’s products.
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Building long-term relationships with customers through detailed preparation and personalized engagement, fostering sustained success and satisfaction.
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Providing insightful analysis of application trends, product performance, and customer outcomes to inform internal teams and drive continuous improvement.
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Demonstrating a strong technical background, a passion for education, and the ability to adapt quickly in dynamic environments.
This role requires initiative, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to empowering scientific discovery through expert guidance and support.
What will you do:
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Engage with new and existing customers to educate, support and train on Takara Bio Spatial Biology products (Trekker and Seeker) and/or Takara Bio Single Cell NGS instrument platform (Shasta).
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Delivers prompt troubleshooting of issues related to customers’ use of Spatial Biology kits and/or single cell NGS library prep kits.
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Provides pre-sales support by working in partnership with the Account Executives. Delivers technical product seminars, conducts product demonstrations, and consults with customers during the sales process to understand scientific objectives.
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May work closely with Field Engineering team to troubleshoot application versus instrument issues for the Shasta system.
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Maintains detailed documentation on all technical communication with customers. Delivers a summarized assessment of each communication.
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Delivers technical training for sales team, distributors and other internal teams as needed.
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Supports manager with analysis of customer feedback, product issues and inquiries.
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Partners with Marketing and R&D teams. Provide market and competitive information from the field. Support new product launches through training of customers and delivers “voice of customer” feedback from early access customers.
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Performs regular maintenance of system documentation.
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This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
How will you get here?
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MS/PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or related scientific field. A BA or BS may be considered with significant field experience.
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Requires a minimum of 3+ years of field application experience.
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Requires a minimum of 3+ years of laboratory or related work experience.
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Prior experience supporting commercial Spatial Biology technologies or single cell NGS applications is required.
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Capable of working independently, is self-motivated and proactive.
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Customer-centric and keenly aware of markets, and competitors.
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Demonstrates a sense of urgency, contagious optimism and a “can do” attitude.
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Valid driver’s license is required.
You are amazing if you have:
- Experience with automation systems.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Takara Bio USA, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
Additional Information about the role:
Please note this job description may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The US base salary rate range for this full-time position, expected to be located in the Chicago area, is $120,000 - $130,000 USD. We may consider other candidates for this position with more experience and would expect the salary range to change accordingly. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, training, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Field Application Scientist
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list before you apply. Biology, biochemistry, and biomedical engineering codes commonly support Field Application Scientist roles, but adjacent degrees like environmental science require confirmation.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify, not merely registered. Ask the hiring manager or HR team to confirm current enrollment status, since lapsed accounts disqualify an otherwise eligible employer for your STEM OPT extension.
Target employers with active LCA filings in life sciences
Prioritize biotechnology, diagnostic, and laboratory instrumentation companies that file Labor Condition Applications regularly. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by STEM OPT eligibility and LCA history, so you spend time on companies already set up to hire you.
Frame your application experience around instrument workflows
Field Application Scientists are evaluated on hands-on product knowledge, not just academic background. Highlight specific platforms, assays, or instrumentation you've operated during your degree program or OPT period to demonstrate direct technical fit during the hiring process.
Build your I-983 training plan around defined learning objectives
Your DSO must sign off on an I-983 that names concrete skills you'll develop, not vague job duties. Draft objectives tied to specific instrument categories or application workflows unique to the role before your extension start date to avoid DSO delays.
Account for the 90-day reporting window when switching employers
If you move to a new Field Application Scientist position during your STEM OPT extension, you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and submit a revised I-983. Missing the required SEVIS reporting triggers a status violation even if your new employer is E-Verify enrolled.
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Find Field Application Scientist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Field Application Scientist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM designated degree program list and the role requires applying that scientific knowledge directly. Most Field Application Scientist positions in life sciences, analytical chemistry, or biomedical instrumentation align well. Your DSO confirms eligibility by matching your degree code to the role before filing the extension with USCIS.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for this type of role?
Your I-983 must name the specific technical skills and learning objectives you'll develop, tied directly to your STEM degree. For Field Application Scientists, this typically means instrument-specific training, application support workflows, and customer-facing technical skills. Generic descriptions like 'scientific support' don't satisfy SEVIS requirements. Your employer's supervisor and your DSO both sign the form before your extension begins.
How do I find Field Application Scientist employers enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is not publicly searchable by employer name, so you need to ask HR directly or confirm during the offer stage. Migrate Mate filters job listings by STEM OPT eligibility and E-Verify status, which removes the guesswork. Federal contractors are required to use E-Verify, so positions with government-adjacent employers in diagnostics or defense science are often already enrolled.
Can cap-gap protect my authorization if my H-1B is selected but my OPT expires first?
Yes. If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. For Field Application Scientists, this means you can continue employment uninterrupted during the transition, provided your employer files on time and your STEM OPT is still valid when the petition is submitted.
What STEM degrees typically support a Field Application Scientist position?
Biology, biochemistry, chemistry, biomedical engineering, and molecular biology are the most common qualifying degrees. Degrees in physics, materials science, or environmental science may qualify depending on the specific product area and how your DSO maps your CIP code to the role. O*NET classifies Field Application Scientists under life and physical science occupations, which helps clarify the degree-to-role alignment your DSO needs to confirm.
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