Sr Application Support Specialist

Ta Instruments; New Castle (DE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation in New Castle, Delaware seeks a Senior Applications Scientist to lead rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis programs across our Materials Sciences portfolio. The role combines hands-on method development, pre/post-sales support, customer training, and strategic product direction across global teams.

The ideal candidate has deep rheology expertise, strong communication skills, and a track record of scientific leadership in method development, with travel of ~20–30% for

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science or Rheology (PhD strongly preferred).
• Hands-on expertise with rotational and oscillatory rheometry, mechanical testing, and analytical instrumentation.
• Experience supporting rheology, mechanical testing, materials characterization, or related analytical technologies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal scientific advisor for R&D and long-term product roadmap decisions.
• Lead rheology strategy, publish application notes, and develop workflows across rheometry.
• Produce technical content and support high-value pre- and post-sales engagements.
• Own troubleshooting for rheometer, DMA performance, and software/geometry issues.
• Deliver training sessions and product demonstrations at labs and sites.

Skills

Rheology expertise

Mechanical testing

DMA hardware/software

Customer engagement

Strong communication

Travel readiness

Education

PhD preferred in related discipline

Advanced degree in chemical/mechanical/materials science

Tools

Rheometer equipment

Analytical instrumentation

Job description

Overview

This New Castle, Delaware–based role serves as the scientific lead for the rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis portfolio within the Waters Materials Sciences division. The Senior Applications Scientist combines deep expertise in rheological and mechanical 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 rheology expert who can guide internal teams, mentor scientists, and strengthen the scientific and commercial impact of Waters solutions worldwide.

Typical tasks of the position include, but are not limited to

• Serve as the principal scientific advisor for R&D, contributing to rheometer feature definition, accessory and geometry development, prototype evaluation, and long‑term product roadmap decisions.
• Lead the scientific strategy for rheology, including developing new applications, measurement protocols, workflows, and data analysis capabilities across rotational and oscillatory rheometry.
• Produce high‑quality technical content, including application notes, white papers, method guides, and competitive benchmarking reports, that demonstrates scientific leadership in rheology.
• Drive high‑value pre‑ and post‑sales customer engagements for rotational rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis, 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 rheometer and DMA 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 rheology and DMA product lines at conferences, workshops, webinars, and trade shows.
• Maintain the New Castle Applications Lab, instruments, geometries, accessories, and supporting facilities in a safe, organized, and customer‑ready condition.

The successful candidate will have a combination of knowledge, skills, and experience that would include the following

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Rheology, or a related discipline; PhD strongly preferred.
• Deep, hands‑on expertise with rotational and oscillatory rheometry, mechanical testing, and analytical instrumentation, including steady shear, flow curves, yield stress, thixotropy, amplitude and frequency sweeps, temperature‑dependent measurements, and relevant geometries and accessories. Experience with Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and TA Instruments hardware and software is preferred.
• Significant relevant industrial or applications experience supporting rheology, mechanical testing, materials characterization, or related analytical technologies.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership in rheology applications, method development, experimental design, and interpretation of complex viscoelastic and flow behavior.
• Proven track record of collaborating directly with R&D, engineering, software, or product teams to influence rheometer features, measurement capabilities, accessories, and system performance.
• Experience partnering with customers, KOLs, or external collaborators to define rheological 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%. #LI‑CB1

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.