Applied Science Careers

What is applied science?

Scientists in the field link a company to practitioners, customers, and key opinion leaders.

Applied scientists positions represent a variety of careers for biomedical scientist PhDs. Ranging from technical sales, field applications, and medical science liaisons, positions in this area are found in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. These roles offer support to researchers or clinicians who are customers of your company, maintain peer-to-peer relationships with key opinion leaders, and serve as internal experts in a particular field. Consequently, each type of role offers a great diversity of opportunities, allowing those interested in this career to specialize based on their area of interest or expertise.

For example, with microscope manufacturers, microscopists can find application scientists who are responsible for the sale, installation, and maintenance of equipment, or who serve as collaborators in experimental design and implementation.

The common thread among these positions is that communication and interpersonal skills are critical, as professionals in these roles interface directly with scientists or physicians who utilize a product, piece of equipment, or drug developed by the company for which you work.


Applied Science - The Fundamentals
Get a quick overview of applied science careers from UCSF alums working in the field
 


Field Science Alumni Career Paths Panel featuring UCSF alums Eleanor Zoe Kincaid, PhD, Andrew Mancini, PhD, and Mayra B. Pastore, PhD.


Get hands on exposure to applied science with an

InterSECT Job Simulation


What are some job titles for applied science positions?

Job titles often vary widely across companies, as each adopts their own nomenclature and may create titles specific to one area of expertise. Despite that, common titles include:

  • Field Application Scientist (FAS)
  • Application Scientist
  • Field Support Scientist
  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
  • Technical Applications Scientist
  • Technical Support Scientist
  • Technical Sales Specialist
  • Sales Manager
  • Account Manager
What does a career in applied science look like?

Generally, applied scientist positions, such as medical science liaisons or field application scientists, are work-from-home and territory-based. They require extensive travel, most often regionally, and sometimes nationally or internationally.

The best information for what these careers look like come from those who do them!

How do I know if this is a good fit for me?

Any question about a career is a good fit for you depends on how your skills, interests, and values aligns with the responsibilities of the job and the mission and goals of the company.

You may consider these types of positions ideal, if you:

  • Are comfortable with extensive travel
  • Can and want the ability to work from home
  • Have the ability to, and enjoy, selling an idea
  • Enjoy problem solving and troubleshooting
  • Love connecting with and collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences
How do you transition into field science careers?
What are some organizations that hire PhDs?

Pharmaceutical companies or medical device companies are the primary employer of medical science liaisons, as they function as part of a medical affairs division, serving counterpart to the internal team.

Examples: Genentech, AstraZeneca, Sanofi

Field application scientists, or sales and technical support scientists, are most often found in biotechnology companies that provide a product or service to customer scientists. These professionals are involved in the sales, integration, and implementation of their product into the labs they serve.

Examples: Illumina, Nikon, Thermo Fisher

How can I build relevant experience?
How can I connect with other professionals in applied science careers?
Example job descriptions

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