PhD, Molecular Biology, Scientific Account Manager

PhD, Molecular Biology, Scientific Account Manager PhD Company Name: Avance Biosciences Inc.

Job Title

Scientific Account Manager

Department: Sales & Marketing

Reports To: VP

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Date: January 2027

Avance Biosciences Inc., a fast-growing biotechnology CRO, is recruiting two Scientific Account Managers in its sales department.

Scientific Account Manager – Biopharma

We are seeking an energetic and highly motivated PhD-level Scientific Account Manager to join our US commercial team. This role is designed for a life sciences PhD who is excited to transition into a customer-facing commercial career in the biopharmaceutical industry.

We are not looking for traditional sales experience — instead, we are looking for someone with strong scientific training, high emotional intelligence, and a natural ability to build relationships.

The ideal candidate is outgoing, extroverted, and genuinely enjoys meeting new people, whether that is scientists in biotech companies, procurement teams, or R&D leaders. You are someone who easily starts conversations, builds rapport quickly, and enjoys being in customer-facing environments.

This role is highly interactive and people-oriented, and success depends as much on communication style and energy as on technical understanding.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned accounts and prospective customers, building long-term partnerships based on trust, responsiveness, and scientific credibility.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with scientists, project managers, and decision-makers within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic organizations.
• Engage regularly with customers through phone calls, virtual meetings, on-site visits, conferences, and networking events to understand their research and development needs.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities by proactively expanding existing accounts, generating new leads, and developing strategic customer relationships.
• Prepare proposals and quotations for routine service requests and collaborate with scientific subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop customized technical and commercial proposals for complex projects.
• Ensure proposals accurately reflect customer requirements, are technically sound, commercially competitive, and aligned with company capabilities.
• Present the company's scientific capabilities, services, and value proposition in a clear, engaging, and technically accurate manner.
• Follow up on proposals, quotations, and sales opportunities with persistence and professionalism to maximize conversion and revenue growth.
• Re-engage inactive customers and recover "lost" opportunities by understanding customer feedback, addressing concerns, and developing effective re-engagement strategies.
• Work closely with scientific, operations, project management, quality, and customer support teams to ensure an exceptional customer experience from initial inquiry through project completion.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions, sales opportunities, and revenue forecasts using the company's CRM system, and provide regular updates on sales pipeline and business development activities.
• Represent the company at scientific conferences, trade shows, customer meetings, and other industry events to increase market awareness and generate new business opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends, competitive activities, and emerging technologies to identify new market opportunities and contribute to the development of commercial strategies.
• Consistently achieve or exceed established sales goals while contributing to the continued growth and success of the commercial organization.

Who You Are

• PhD in Life Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related field) required
• Hands-on experience with qPCR, ddPCR, NGS, ELISA, Flow Cytometry, LC/MS and other modern analytical methodologies is desired
• Hands-on experience of molecular biology and/or cell biology laboratory experience is desired
• Prior sales experience is desired but not required
• Naturally outgoing, socially confident, and energized by interacting with people
• Enjoys building relationships and is comfortable initiating conversations with new contacts
• Strong communicator who can translate complex science into clear, engaging discussions
• Curious about industry and motivated by learning how science connects to business impact
• Self-driven, resilient, and comfortable working in a goal-oriented environment
• Highly organized with strong follow-through skills
• Willing to travel regularly for customer meetings and events

What We Offer

• Structured training program for PhD scientists entering commercial roles
• Mentorship from experienced commercial and scientific leaders
• Opportunity to work directly with leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies
• Clear career path into senior account management and leadership roles
• Exposure to both scientific and business dimensions of the life sciences industry

Location

Houston, Texas, with 25% travel required.

Job Type

Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Experience:

• qPCR: 5 years (Preferred)
• molecular biology: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person