Senior Applications Scientist

Overview

This New Castle, Delaware–based role serves as a scientific lead for the thermal analysis portfolio within the Waters Materials Sciences division. The Senior Applications Scientist combines deep expertise in thermal characterization with hands-on pre- and post-sales support, advanced applications development, customer training, and strategic product direction. Working across Sales, Service, Product Management, Engineering, and R&D, this role develops new methods and workflows, leads high-impact customer collaborations, supports complex technical challenges, and translates voice-of-customer insights into next-generation instrument, accessory, and software design. The ideal candidate is a recognized thermal analysis expert who can guide internal teams, mentor scientists, and strengthen the scientific and commercial impact of Waters solutions worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal scientific advisor for R&D, contributing to DSC, TGA, and SDT feature definition, accessory development, prototype evaluation, and long-term product roadmap decisions.

• Lead the scientific strategy for thermal analysis, including developing new applications, measurement protocols, workflows, and data analysis capabilities across the DSC, TGA, and SDT portfolio.

• Produce high-quality technical content, including application notes, white papers, method guides, and competitive benchmarking reports, that demonstrates scientific leadership in thermal analysis.

• Drive high-value pre- and post-sales customer engagements for thermal analysers, including feasibility testing, sample characterization, method-development collaborations, demonstrations, and KOL partnerships. Analyze results and prepare clear technical reports that support customer decisions and sales opportunities.

• Own complex troubleshooting and advanced technical support for customers and global teams by email, phone, virtual sessions, and in person. Act as the escalation point for DSC, TGA, and SDT performance, test methods, accessories, software, and data-interpretation inquiries, and provide technical expertise to Sales Representatives to help advance and close business.

• Develop and deliver lecture-based and hands-on training courses, technical seminars, sales-call presentations, and product demonstrations in the Applications Lab, virtually, and at customer sites. Represent the thermal analysis product lines at conferences, workshops, webinars, and trade shows.

• Maintain the New Castle Applications Lab, instruments, accessories, and supporting facilities in a safe, organized, and customer-ready condition.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, or a related discipline; PhD strongly preferred.

• Deep, hands-on expertise with DSC, TGA, SDT, gas analysis techniques such as FTIR, MS, and GCMS, and relevant accessories. Experience with TA Instruments hardware and software is preferred.

• Significant relevant industrial or applications experience supporting thermal analysis testing, materials characterization, or related analytical technologies.

• Demonstrated scientific leadership in thermal analysis applications, method development, experimental design, and interpretation of complex data.

• Proven track record of collaborating directly with R&D, engineering, software, or product teams to influence materials characterization instrument features, measurement capabilities, accessories, and system performance.

• Experience partnering with customers, KOLs, or external collaborators to define DSC, TGA, and SDT measurement requirements, validate methods and workflows, and generate impactful data across relevant industries.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex topics clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally by air and ground, approximately 20-30%.

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT)  is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.  

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.