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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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 STEM OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Field Application Scientist Jobs.
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.
Frequently 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 visa 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.