Research Principal Scientist

Waters Global Research is committed to understanding customer challenges and transforming these insights into innovative separation technologies. Members of Global Research work in highly collaborative cross-functional teams spanning Consumables, Liquid Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Clinical, and Informatics technologies to develop novel solutions for complex analytical problems.

We are seeking a highly creative and scientifically driven Principal Scientist to lead research in separation materials, particle technologies, and surface chemistry. This role will focus on inventing and developing next-generation chromatographic and sample preparation materials that enable improved analytical performance for small molecules, biologics, oligonucleotides, emerging modalities, and food & environmental.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader within Global Research, translating fundamental materials science into commercially relevant technologies and intellectual property.

Lead Material Science Innovation
• Conceive, design, and develop novel materials for chromatographic separations and sample preparation.
• Advance research in porous polymeric particles, Hybrid organic-inorganic materials, silica, magnetic particles, functionalized surfaces, and affinity media
• Develop innovative approaches to particle synthesis and surface modification using different particle synthesis approaches, polymerizations, and surface derivatizations
• Design materials with optimized specific applications in reversed-phase, Ion-exchange, HILIC, affinity, mixed-mode, and sample preparation workflows for separations of proteins, monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides, PFAS, and small molecules.

Scientific Leadership
• Serve as a recognized technical expert in materials science and separation technologies, driving rigorous experimental design and data interpretation.
• Provide scientific direction to project teams and mentor junior scientists and researchers.
• Generate and support innovation & intellectual property with invention disclosures and support patent filings, evaluate emerging technologies, literature, and competitive innovations
• Identify external collaborations with academia, suppliers, and strategic partners.
• Communicate findings through technical reports, publications, presentations, and patents.
• Collaborate with different groups within global research, development, commercial, and strategy teams, as well as managing external collaborations with industry and academia

Required
• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related scientific discipline with 8+ years research experience in academia or industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in particle synthesis, polymer chemistry, or chromatographic materials.
• Proven record of innovation through patents, publications, or commercialized technologies.

Preferred
• Experience developing chromatographic stationary phases, magnetic bead technologies, surface functionalization strategies, and or bioseparation materials
• Experience supporting biologics and oligonucleotide workflows.
• Knowledge of modern materials characterization techniques.

Success Profile
The ideal candidate will be:
• A recognized inventor and materials scientist.
• Equally comfortable at the bench and leading scientific strategy.
• Passionate about solving customer problems through materials innovation.
• Able to identify breakthrough opportunities and translate them into practical technologies.
• Focused on creating the next generation of separation materials that expand Waters' scientific leadership.

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.