Field Applications Scientist, East Coast

DNA Script

DNA Script is a leading company in manufacturing de novo synthetic nucleic acids using enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology. The company aims at accelerating innovation in life science and technology through the decentralization of rapid, on demand and high-quality DNA synthesis. DNA Script's approach leverages nature's billions of years of evolution in synthesizing DNA to set a new standard for customizing nucleic acid synthesis thus accelerating discovery in genetics, genomics, and synthetic biology. Discovery disciplines with profound impacts upon humanity such as biopharma, translational genetics and even molecular information storage all start with synthetic DNA. The company has recently initiated the commercialization of its first EDS powered platform, the SYNTAX system. 

To date, DNA Script has raised over $315M of financing, with leading investors such as Coatue Management, Fidelity Management and Research, Catalio Capital Management, Casdin Capital, LSP, Bpifrance Large Ventures, Danaher, Illumina Ventures, Agilent, Merck Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Kurma Partners, T Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford and Eurazeo. 

DNA Script also partners on technology and product development with leading organizations such as DARPA, IARPA, Moderna Therapeutics, GE Research, Illumina, the Broad Institute, Harvard University, Institut Pasteur and the French Department of Defense.

DNA Script has its research and manufacturing facilities headquartered in Paris, France, and is in the process of expanding its commercial and development teams in South San Francisco.

Opportunity and Challenges :

We are looking to assemble a team of best-in-class, innovative and passionately eager people.  We want to gather their talents and skills to achieve one goal: unlock the power of “DNA-write.” We offer the opportunity of joining a dynamic, international, and highly skilled team in a pioneering startup. Our DNA On Demand platform not only has the potential to change the way the world makes and uses synthetic DNA, but also to accelerate the rate of discovery by delivering upon the promise of same-day results.

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company and to have a large impact on developing a technology that will have far-reaching impacts across biological sciences.

The Role

DNA Script is actively searching for an accomplished Field Applications Scientist to build and foster positive relationships and support our partners and customers in their use of DNA Script commercial technologies and related applications. The individual will be responsible for managing customer engagement and delivering expert product support to customers and providing quick resolutions to complex technical inquiries including troubleshooting, coordinating customer feedback/interactions, and representing user experiences within the company to aid development of next generation products. Additionally, you would be responsible for providing feedback for the development of applications using DNA Script products in novel applications. You will also play a key role to ensure product issues are documented to facilitate the continuous improvement of our products.

Responsabilities

Applications Support and Customer Engagement

• Working closely with sales in customer engagement activities by providing on site and/or remote scientific consultation to customers in both pre- and post-sale opportunities; guiding discussions, and performing product demonstrations, applications-focused training, and assay optimizations.
• Interface with the product development and applications teams in the use of DNA Script products in applications to meet customer needs
• Diagnose and resolve product performance problems fielded directly from customers 
• Demonstrate the product to customers
• Develop and provide training for customers and staff on company products and novel applications
• Resolve customer complaints related to biochemistry, assay or experimental design, software, instruments, or user's technical skill.
• Responsible for relationship management, understanding customer goals, setting appropriate product and performance expectations.

Technical Product Support

• Uses in-depth technical or scientific knowledge and product expertise to resolve product support escalations. May interact directly with customers or provide deep support internally to Field Service Engineers, Remote Engineers, or customer call center personnel.
• Writes and updates product user documentation.
• Collaborate with internal experts by obtaining assistance on challenging cases and sharing product support
• Support the delivery of fully integrated solutions, which may include peripherals, communications, operating systems and applications
• Provide voice of customer, user-oriented and service-related inputs to ongoing and new product development
• Document product support cases and assist with the development of an internal product support knowledge base for use by customers and the internal support
• Update product support documentation including, but not limited to, User Guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Author product information notifications
• Identify product quality improvements using support data documented during customer and service interactions and communicate to internal teams

Experience

• PhD or Master's degree preferred within life science, engineering or related fields -- e.g. Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Genomics, NextGen Sequencing, Analytical biochemistry, Biotechnology or similar.
• 5+ years of work experience in a technical product support role, research & development role, or similar
• Proven experience interacting with researchers at all levels with life science and genomics
• Previous experience in training, spoken presentations, and technical writing/editing.

Ideal Candidate will have

• Experience with Molecular Biology, Next Gen Sequencing, PCR, qPCR and related innovative technologies/application, including DNA synthesis experience, or utilization of synthetic oligos in biochemical applications
• An extensive network and track record interfacing with key opinion leaders within scientific fields
• Experience or expertise with Laboratory Automation solutions (eg. pipetting robots, electronics and linear actuators) and systems involving reagents, consumables and related system
• Detailed technical orientation, with robust analytical and organization skills, problem solving, troubleshooting capabilities, and negotiation skills
• Capability to precisely document issues, root cause analyses, troubleshooting experimentation and resolutions/repairs for complex scientific
• Proven experience working directly with a field service engineering team.
• Experience developing, testing and supporting product applications in the field
• Proven experience with developing and delivering effective product/technical presentations
• Prior experience using customer relationship management (CRM) tools to document product support interactions 
• Customer advocate, solution-oriented mindset, and business acumen
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills and technical aptitude

Additional Information:

• The ideal candidate will be located in the Boston Area
• Eligibility to work in the US for any employer is required
• Requires travel to customer and corporate sites
• Up to 75% travel at times, including international travel (corporate travel account)
• Start date: 2-3 weeks

The salary range for this US position is $80,000 --- $120,000. Please note that this is the forecasted salary range and individual compensation varies based on multiple factors to include: qualifications, years of experience, the scope of job-related responsibilities, and the working location. If your expectations are outside of this range, we still encourage you to apply and provide us with your expectations to consider a move.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision. Company pays 80% up to 95% of premiums on most plans for employees and dependents. We have a marketplace of plans available including HMOs, PPOs, HDHPs, etc.
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Other employee-funded plans including pre-tax commuter, HSA, and FSA
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program