Sr Application Support Specialist

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%. #LI-CB1