What is application scientist?

[cory]

I read many posts here refering to being an application scientist. Who are they? what skills do you really need to have (other than science) to get into these career? Do you know any article Like in the NEXTWAVE?

Thanks

[MPB]

Google "application scientist."

[Dave Jensen]

Hello Cory,

I just sent a message over to Jim Austin, Editor of NextWave, because I too could not find a dedicated section to Application Scientists. However, you may try searching there for Technical Services careers, because this is another way that those jobs are often referred to.

Here's an article that I wrote on Science's Next Wave which is about several non-bench science careers, and we've incorporated a number of links into it so that you can refer to other pieces as well:

Success in the Land of Suits

I must say that I probably mention this career choice too often, because it often strikes me that there aren't enough of these to go around. However, every company that supplies a product or service needs scientists at the MS or PhD level to head out to customer laboratories and help them. They conduct seminars, they do one-on-one training, they support the sales staff in trade shows, etc. One of our posters, John G. Hoey, is a successful sales guy now, but I believe that he started his career as an Applications Scientist. I've also written him to see if he can tell you more.

Dave Jensen, Moderator

[John G. Hoey, Ph.D.]

Hi Cory:

As Dave noted, I was an Applications Specialist with a very well known (one of the largest) companies in the business. Affectionately referred to as "white coat salesmen", this is job involves pre and post sales support. Basically you support the sales person (or 2) in providing the technical expertise needed to close the sale, or you go to an account and provide technical training on the instrument or product purchased. You are frequently called upon for technical advice by both in-house marketing people, sales force, and customers. Of course I can only speak from my own (and others I worked with) experience. This is a very demanding job...but what job in this business isn't demanding? The pressure comes from many different angles marketing, sales, management). The salaries are usually pretty good; most, if not all, have some type of commission plan as part of the compensation package. Moreover, it is an excellent position to take if you wish to gain valuable experience with the goal of one day going into sales. The turnover rate for Apps people is usually pretty high...very few stay in this role for more than a few years. Many apps people eventually go into sales.
Let me know if you wany more information.

John G. Hoey, Ph.D.

[John G. Hoey, Ph.D.]

Another word or two regarding Applications "Specialist" and Applications "Scientist"----keep in mind that every company has slight variations on the meaning of these job titles. At the company I worked with, Applications "specialists" were also called Field apps specialists (FAS) because we worked out of our home office, spending all of our time in the field. However, we also had apps scientists who primarily worked in-house developing new/improved applications for exisiting and emerging technologies.
In terms of qualifications needed for these jobs, most FAS' have B.S./M.S. degrees. Some, like myself, have Ph.D. degrees. This was also the case for the Applications Scientist jobs. However, most Apps scientists had considerably more scientific experience than what was generally required to be hired for an FAS job.

John G. Hoey, Ph.D.

[cory]

Thank you all for the information. Now I know one more alternative career in science