Principal Scientist

About the role

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.

About the company

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.