Principal Scientist

Overview

Waters Corporation seeks an innovative and highly motivated Principal Scientist to join the Core Separation Team within the Chemistry & Lab Automation (C&LA) Business Unit.

In this role, you will advance liquid chromatography (LC) science by evaluating, developing, and commercializing next-generation chromatographic technologies. As a technical leader, you will collaborate across R&D, engineering, materials science, applications, and product management to transform innovative concepts into successful products.

The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in liquid chromatography with strong scientific leadership and problem-solving skills. This role will help shape future LC column technologies and chromatographic media that deliver meaningful value to customers worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to evaluate novel LC columns, stationary phases, and sample preparation devices for small-molecule separations.
• Provide technical leadership for cross-functional development programs involving chromatographic science, applications, and method development.
• Collaborate with engineering, materials science, and product teams to develop hypotheses, design studies, and optimize emerging technologies.
• Lead laboratory characterization and performance testing of prototype column products and sample preparation devices, assessing efficiency, robustness, reproducibility, and application suitability.
• Prepare reports and provide internal presentations to summarize scientific findings
• Develop and optimize chromatographic methods supporting technology evaluation, product development, and customer applications.
• Establish analytical methods, product specifications, and quality-control procedures for product launch.
• Drive the transition of new technologies from research through development, manufacturing, and product launch.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation by assisting with invention disclosures and patent applications.
• Work with marketing colleagues and other technical groups across Waters to successfully commercialize new products and to showcase them through publications and presentations at conferences
• Monitor scientific and competitive trends to identify emerging applications, methods and customer needs.

• Maintain laboratory operations and ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, and quality (EHSQ) requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of industrial experience, including leadership of technical projects; or an M.S. degree with 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of liquid chromatographic theory, separation mechanisms, and stationary-phase chemistry.
• Hands-on expertise in liquid chromatography, including the use of mass spectrometric detection.
• Proven experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting LC methods.
• Proficiency with HPLC instrumentation, laboratory operations, and instrument maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical programs and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in giving technical presentations and writing scientific report.
• Strong analytical thinking, scientific curiosity, and commitment to innovation.
• Ability to collaborate and influence effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or characterizing chromatographic columns, stationary phases, or separation media.
• Experience supporting product development, manufacturing transfer, commercialization, or quality-control activities.
• Knowledge of analytical workflows in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, environmental, food, or related industries.
• Track record of patents, publications, invention disclosures, or scientific presentations.
• Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE) and data-driven approaches to technology development.

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

Chromatography, Liquid Chromatography, HPLC, UHPLC, LC-MS, Separation Science, Method Development, Stationary Phase Chemistry, New Product Development, Product Commercialization, Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry.