Sr Application Support Specialist

Waters Corporation•New Castle, DE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This New Castle, Delaware–based role serves as the scientific lead for the rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) portfolio within Waters Materials Sciences. The Senior Applications Scientist combines expertise in rheological and mechanical characterization with hands-on pre- and post-sales support, applications development, customer training, and strategic product direction. Working across Sales, Service, Product Management, Engineering, and R&D, the role develops methods and workflows, leads customer collaborations, supports complex technical challenges, and conveys customer insights to inform future instrument, accessory, and software design. The position also guides internal teams, mentors scientists, and strengthens the scientific and commercial impact of Waters solutions worldwide. The role provides scientific leadership for rheology applications and product development; supports customers and global teams on advanced technical matters; creates technical content; and delivers training, seminars, demonstrations, and conference presentations. It also maintains the New Castle Applications Lab and its instruments, accessories, and supporting facilities in a safe, organized, customer-ready condition. Domestic and international travel by air and ground is approximately 20–30%.

Requirements

Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Rheology, or a related discipline; a PhD is 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.
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 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 and the ability to present complex topics clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally by air and ground, approximately 20–30%.

Nice To Haves

PhD in a relevant discipline is strongly preferred.
Experience with Dynamic Mechanical Analysis and TA Instruments hardware and software is preferred.

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 scientific strategy for rheology by developing applications, measurement protocols, workflows, and data-analysis capabilities across rotational and oscillatory rheometry.
Produce technical content, including application notes, white papers, method guides, and competitive benchmarking reports.
Lead pre- and post-sales customer engagements involving rotational rheology and DMA, including feasibility testing, sample characterization, method-development collaborations, demonstrations, and KOL partnerships.
Analyze customer-engagement results and prepare technical reports that support customer decisions and sales opportunities.
Own complex troubleshooting and advanced technical support for customers and global teams through email, phone, virtual sessions, and in-person interactions.
Act as the escalation point for rheometer and DMA performance, test methods, accessories, software, and data-interpretation inquiries.
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, customer-ready condition.