Field Application Scientist Says to Enjoy the Journey

Name: Jacquet Maxime

PhD: Parasitology, Université of Neuchâtel, 2015

What was your main area of research?

I studied the transmission of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia afzelii, from host to tick and tick to host. I then, during two postdocs, moved to Immunology and studied the inflammation or the role of immune cells in the development of liver diseases.

What is your current job?

I am a Senior Field Application Scientist at Cell Signaling Technology. Based in France, I travel Europe and the European offices are in The Netherlands.

I talk to scientists around Europe about their research projects and evaluate how Cell Signaling Technology solutions (mostly antibodies) fit with these projects.

I am giving seminars in research institutes, international conferences, biopharma companies, and participating in customer visits. I also have a lot of virtual calls with customers. Internally, I am in touch with research scientists as well as commercial, technical support, or marketing teams.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

It is really diverse and I have the chance to do a lot of the great things I was lucky to do in Academia (give presentations, go to conferences, etc.) without some of the pain points of Academia. I have a lot of flexibility and a good working environment.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

The capacity to explain in an easy way really complicated technologies and solutions. I use my communication skills on a daily basis.

The capacity to analyse and understand scientific problems is also important.

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

Most of the skills required in this job I had when I moved in. I learnt a lot during the first year but it was more on how the company/private sector works.

Also, I read many books to get better in some aspects (negotiation, communication, organisation, etc.), and I also got training from my employer.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

Thanks to networking. A person gave me the contact of a nice recruiter who really helped me out.

PhD graduate (Switzerland) ➡️ Postdoc in the US (UPenn) ➡️ Postdoc Uni. Basel (Switzerland) ➡️ Field Application Scientist (FAS) at Cell Signaling Technology (CST) ➡️ Promoted to Senior FAS at CST (2.5 years later)

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

Network and understand the job role by talking to people in this role. While at conferences, go see the vendors and talk to FASs. I am sure you will find many.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I knew there was not enough room for everyone. Also, the career in Academia can be challenging and not rewarding. I wanted to be rewarded for all the efforts I was putting in. And now, I have the feeling this is the case in the private sector. So no, it was not a difficult decision.

Also, I wanted to switch before my 2 postdocs, but I was not finding the perfect fit. I needed the extra knowledge and skillsets I developed during my postdocs.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Explore, network, ask questions to people outside academia. Try to find mentors who will be able to guide you and show you the right direction.

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

My capacity to stay positive and enjoy the journey along the way. I always enjoyed all the steps and knew at one point I would find a good fit for my job.

Every step you make brings you to where you are right now.