Scientific Collaboration Manager (Business Development)

Zymo Research Corporation•Tustin, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Zymo Research is seeking a dynamic Scientific Collaboration Manager to join its Commercialization Team. This is a highly technical, customer-facing role designed to foster scientist-to-scientist partnerships. The position involves engaging customers as a scientific peer to build trust, open doors, and shape collaborations across academic, government, biotech, and clinical markets. As an advanced-degree scientist (MS or PhD) with domain expertise (e.g., microbiome, genomics, clinical research, molecular biology), you will focus on understanding customer workflows, identifying unmet needs, and demonstrating how Zymo technologies offer innovation, quality, and impact. This role is a hybrid of a "hunter" for new scientific and commercial opportunities and a technical collaboration lead supporting Zymo’s Business Development and Territory Sales teams. Responsibilities extend to identifying emerging technologies, building business cases, and surfacing potential partnership, licensing, or M&A opportunities aligned with corporate strategy. The role requires up to 50% travel for customer visits, lab interactions, presentations, and conferences. Success will be measured by business growth, relationship quality, opportunities created, and strategic insights delivered.

Requirements

Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in biological sciences, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field.
Hands-on laboratory or industry experience in a relevant domain (e.g., microbiome, genomics, clinical research).
Strong scientific communication and presentation skills across diverse audiences.
Proven ability to build trust and influence through consultative, peer-to-peer engagement.
Entrepreneurial, opportunity-driven mindset with demonstrated success creating new business.
Willingness to travel up to 50%.
CRM proficiency and disciplined documentation habits.

Responsibilities

Prospect and identify high-value opportunities across academic, government, biotech, and clinical markets; develop outreach strategies that establish credibility and open doors.
Act as a trusted scientific advisor by understanding customer workflows, technical challenges, and strategic goals; position Zymo solutions to deliver measurable scientific and commercial value.
Advance collaborations by connecting Zymo technologies with unmet customer needs and positioning opportunities for long-term growth.
Pilot new engagement models, messaging, and strategies in the field; provide structured feedback to inform broader companywide deployment.
Build clear, data-driven business cases for new opportunities, technologies, and collaborations; deliver recommendations that guide investment and commercialization decisions.
Identify emerging scientific trends, breakthrough technologies, and potential strategic partnerships, including licensing or M&A opportunities.
Represent Zymo at conferences, symposia, and customer sites through presentations, talks, and scientific discussions.
Work closely with Business Intelligence, Market Segment Managers, Commercial & Innovation Strategy, Product Marketing, Sales, and other stakeholders to ensure aligned execution.
Document all interactions, opportunities, and pipeline activity in Zymo’s CRM with accuracy and consistency.
Ensure smooth transitions of long-term account ownership to Territory Sales Managers or Partnership Managers for sustained growth.
Ensure every customer interaction delivers insight, credibility, and practical scientific value consistent with Zymo’s commitment to innovation and quality.