At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative mass spectrometry solutions and tackle complex technical challenges.
- Company: Join Waters Corporation, a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, and excellent family-friendly benefits.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; we welcome all qualified applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on scientific advancements and improve lives worldwide.
- Qualifications: PhD preferred; experience in mass spectrometry and strong collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Overview
Join the Quan Portfolio Mass Spectrometry Development team and help shape the future of quantitative mass spectrometry.
We develop Waters' next-generation single and tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry platforms, supporting critical applications across pharmaceutical development, bioanalysis, environmental testing, and food safety.
We are seeking a Principal Development Scientist to provide scientific and technical leadership in the definition, development, integration, and verification of innovative mass spectrometry solutions.
This role offers the opportunity to solve complex technical challenges, influence product strategy, define system architectures, and contribute to the delivery of advanced analytical instrumentation.
Application end date: Tuesday 28 July 2026
Responsibilities
- Take an active role in the technical definition, development, and integration of single quadrupole and tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry technologies to improve performance, address customer needs, enhance quality, and reduce costs.
- Collaborate closely with Global Research, Engineering, Software, Operations, Product Management, and Applications Science teams to develop robust solutions that deliver meaningful customer value.
• Work within the company's instrument development process to
- Develop and maintain product and subsystem requirements in accordance with Waters' instrument development processes.
- Lead system integration activities and ensure technical risks are identified, assessed, and effectively managed.
- Develop verification strategies and generate evidence demonstrating compliance with product requirements and performance specifications.
- Contribute to design reviews, FMEAs, risk assessments, and project phase reviews.
- Drive the evaluation, development, and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to enhance instrument performance, usability, diagnostics, serviceability, and customer workflows across future Quan portfolio platforms.
- Maintain awareness of advances in mass spectrometry, analytical science, and competitor technologies to identify future development opportunities.
- Engage with customers, applications scientists, and commercial teams to understand emerging needs and translate them into actionable product requirements.
- Provide technical mentoring, coaching, and guidance to scientists and engineers across the organisation.
- Ensure compliance with quality management processes, including CAPA and NCR activities.
Qualifications
Education
- Degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
- Ph D preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, technical expertise, and industrial experience.
Experience
- Proven track record in the development and delivery of mass spectrometry systems or other complex scientific and analytical instrumentation.
- Strong technical expertise in quantitative mass spectrometry, including experience with single quadrupole and/or tandem quadrupole technologies.
- Strong understanding of LC-MS instrumentation, analytical workflows, and customer applications.
- Experience defining system requirements, technical specifications, and verification strategies for complex instrument development programmes.
- Experience working across multidisciplinary teams, including Research, Engineering, Software, Operations, Applications, Quality, and Product Management, to deliver innovative products.
- Comprehensive understanding of mass spectrometer architectures, including the design, integration, and performance of key assemblies and sub-assemblies.
Competencies
- Collaborative and influential team player with the ability to build strong working relationships across functions and disciplines.
- Effective communicator, able to convey complex technical concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical audiences.
- Curious, innovative, and motivated to explore new technologies and approaches.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate scientific and customer needs into practical technical solutions.
- Committed to delivering high-quality solutions that address customer needs and business objectives.
We recognise that no candidate will meet every requirement listed above.
If you are excited about this opportunity and believe your experience could make a meaningful contribution, we encourage you to apply.
Travel (If Applicable)
- A limited amount of travel may be required as part of the role, though the role is primarily based at a Waters location.
In addition to salary, we work flexibly and provide 25 days holidays, excellent family friendly benefits such as attractive employer pension contribution, life assurance, income protection and private medical.
With Waters, there are plenty of opportunities for you to grow, develop and contribute.
- 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.
Principal Development Scientist employer: Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises safety, collaboration, and professional growth. As a Security Manager in Europe, you will lead critical security initiatives across multiple countries, benefiting from a culture that values diversity and inclusion while providing opportunities for career advancement and skill development. With a commitment to operational excellence and employee well-being, Waters fosters a supportive atmosphere where your contributions directly impact the organisation's security posture and resilience.
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Development Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Waters Corporation!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Waters Corporation that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Waters Corporation!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Waters Corporation, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waters Corporation
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Waters Corporation that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
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In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
