Research Associate Biotech Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

About Streck: Streck is a Nebraska-based manufacturing company that makes a global impact by developing and distributing to labs worldwide. Our products provide confidence for accurate health care testing! Our passions and priorities are focused on taking care of our customers, employees, and giving back to our community. Streck has jobs for every stage of your career. If you are a dependable, hard-working, and team-oriented individual who values meaningful work, Streck is looking for you to join our community of passionate people on a mission!
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Associate Director, Strategic Market Development serves as Streck's entrepreneurial commercial leader, responsible for identifying, developing, and commercializing the next generation of opportunities for Streck's stabilization technologies. This is a market-creation role - not incremental product line extension - focused on identifying new markets, applications, customer segments, and strategic partners that expand Streck's addressable market and competitive position, with particular emphasis on emerging areas such as MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), Drug Discovery / AI Labs, and other emerging testing modalities.
This role reports to the Segment Director, Stabilization, and works across Product Management, R&D, Regulatory, Clinical Applications, Corporate Accounts, Sales, and Marketing leadership to translate scientific breakthroughs and market trends into viable commercial strategies. The ideal candidate combines scientific credibility (deep domain knowledge in molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, or life science tools) with commercial pragmatism, building strategic partnerships, developing robust business cases, and influencing senior leadership to fund and prioritize new opportunities. This is a foundational role with potential to expand into broader leadership as the strategic market development capability matures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

1. Systematically scan for emerging technologies, unmet clinical needs, and new diagnostic applications - including MASH, Drug Discovery/AI Labs, and other emerging testing modalities - and evaluate opportunities against Streck's capabilities, market size, timeline to commercialization, and strategic fit.
2. Build and maintain a forward-looking opportunity pipeline with clear stage gates and go/no-go criteria, distinguishing genuine market potential from hype.
3. Identify, build, and nurture strategic partnerships with biotech innovators, academic leaders, diagnostics companies, and corporate partners; engage potential collaborators and structure joint development agreements and licensing arrangements.
4. Act as a trusted external advisor and represent Streck in scientific and commercial discussions with partners, not merely as an internal analyst.
5. Develop compelling, data-driven business cases that translate scientific opportunity into market terms, including revenue potential, manufacturing feasibility, go-to-market strategy, and ROI modeling.
6. Lead early commercialization pilots and proof-of-concept engagements, shepherding opportunities through cross-functional approval gates.
7. Partner closely with Sales and Marketing leadership to identify, develop, and nurture new opportunities and customer accounts within new and emerging market segments.
8. Maintain current knowledge of precision diagnostics, oncology, NIPT, transplantology, liquid biopsy/ctDNA, MASH, and Drug Discovery/AI Labs markets; monitor competitor activity, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments.
9. Synthesize market and competitive intelligence into actionable strategic insights for Product Management, Marketing, and Commercial leadership.
10. Command credibility with scientists, clinicians, and researchers by translating between technical and commercial language; serve as Streck's ambassador at conferences, industry forums, and partner engagements.
11. Define and manage own roadmap and KPIs in a loosely-structured, entrepreneurial environment; pivot strategy based on market feedback and feasibility data with minimal need for top-down direction.
12. Influence R&D, Product Management, Sales, and Marketing leadership to prioritize and fund new opportunities, leading cross-functionally without direct authority.
13. Prepare and present periodic updates on opportunity pipeline status, partnership development, and market intelligence to the Segment Director and Commercial leadership.
14. Attend and represent Streck at relevant scientific and industry conferences to build external relationships and identify new opportunities.
15. Complete all other duties and projects as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• 8-15 years of experience in molecular diagnostics, life science tools, genomics, precision medicine, or strategic partnerships, with demonstrated success creating new markets - not managing mature ones.
• Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on R&D/clinical laboratory experience.
• Proven track record identifying market opportunities, building strategic partnerships with external organizations (biotech, academic institutions, diagnostics companies), and incubating new business concepts through early commercialization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop sound business cases, model market potential, and communicate opportunity ROI to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort operating in ambiguity, defining strategy with limited structure, and pivoting based on market signals and feasibility data.
• Ability to travel 20-30% domestically and internationally.
• MBA or advanced business degree preferred.
• Prior experience in oncology, NIPT, liquid biopsy, MASH, Drug Discovery/AI Labs, or preanalytical solutions markets preferred.
• Background at a diagnostics company, IVD manufacturer, or clinical lab preferred.
• Experience in business development or corporate strategy roles preferred.
• Familiarity with funding mechanisms for early-stage diagnostics companies preferred.

Streck Offerings

• A challenging, safe and rewarding work environment
• No night or weekend shifts
• Excellent work life balance
• Market competitive pay
• Comprehensive and inclusive benefits
• Great team environment
• On and off campus career development opportunities

Visit www.streckcareers.comto learn more about Streck and apply for this opportunity.
Streck is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer/Individuals with Disabilities & Protected Veterans/Affirmative Action employer and forbids discrimination against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender stereotyping and caregiver status), sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, national origin, disability, genetic information, citizenship, marital status or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.