Sr Application Support Specialist

Waters Corporation; New Castle (DE); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation in New Castle, Delaware seeks a Senior Applications Scientist to lead rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) strategies across products, methods, and workflows. You will work with sales, service, engineering, and R&D to turn customer insights into instrument and software improvements and to mentor colleagues worldwide.

You will develop new measurement protocols, train customers, contribute to technical content, and lead collaborative studies with key opinion leaders.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with PhD preferred in rheology-related discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience with rotational and oscillatory rheometry and mechanical testing.
• Proven leadership in rheology applications and method development.
• Experience collaborating with R&D, engineering, software, or product teams.

Responsibilities

• Advise R&D on rheometer feature definition and roadmap.
• Lead rheology strategy and develop new applications, protocols, workflows.
• Create technical content: notes, white papers, method guides.
• Drive pre- and post-sales engagements and customer collaborations.
• Provide advanced technical support by email, phone, and on-site.

Skills

Rheology expertise

Rheometer testing

Data analysis

Technical communication

Education

PhD preferred

Advanced degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

TA Instruments hardware/software

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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%.

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.

Key Words

#rheology

#DMA