Staff Scientist, Research and Development

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Staff Scientist, Research and Development

Sunnyvale, California

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Within the Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) and Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Division (CMD), you’ll help develop innovative technologies that advance analytical science and enable our customers to solve complex scientific challenges.

How will you make an impact?

As a Staff Scientist, Research and Development, you will serve as a senior technical leader developing next-generation chromatography and sample preparation technologies.

You will lead advanced research and development focused on electrolytic and electrochemical devices that enable high-performance ion chromatography. Working across science, engineering, manufacturing, and product management, you will translate scientific concepts into robust, manufacturable products and provide technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle.

This position offers the opportunity to combine deep analytical chemistry expertise with technical leadership, hands-on experimentation, innovation, and mentorship.

What will you do?

• Lead advanced research and development in ion chromatography (IC), electrolytic devices, and electrochemistry, for analytical instruments.
• Lead or support New Product Development (NPD) programs from early-stage concepts through commercialization.
• Design and develop prototypes, research materials, lead functional testing, characterization, optimization, scale-up, and manufacturability assessments.
• Serve as a senior technical resource on multidisciplinary product development teams, providing strategic and tactical guidance to R&D activities.
• Apply analytical chemistry, electrochemistry, separation science, and ion-exchange principles to develop and optimize instrument technologies.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, product management, and other functions to translate technical requirements into reliable and manufacturable products.
• Provide technical support for chromatography devices throughout the product lifecycle, including sustaining and continuous-improvement activities.
• Lead complex analytical troubleshooting and root cause and countermeasure (RCCM) investigations for new and on-market products.
• Identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies, including AI and machine learning, to improve product performance, development processes, or customer experience.
• Generate intellectual property through innovative technical solutions and contribute to invention disclosures and patent applications.
• Communicate technical concepts, experimental results, risks, and recommendations to scientific, engineering, business, and leadership audiences.
• Present product technologies, scientific findings, and applications at technical conferences and during customer interactions.
• Mentor scientists and engineers and provide technical guidance that strengthens team capabilities.
• Plan and prioritize multiple technical projects to support program timelines, strategic objectives, and effective use of resources.

How will you get here?

Education and Experience

• PhD in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience; or
• Master’s degree in a related scientific discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with ion chromatography (IC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or related analytical separation technologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technical projects involving multidisciplinary teams from concept through product development and commercialization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of analytical chemistry principles and analytical method development.
• Strong knowledge of chromatography instrumentation, separation science, and troubleshooting.
• In-depth knowledge of electrochemistry, analytical detection methods, and ion-exchange materials.
• Demonstrated ability to design experiments, analyze complex data, and translate scientific findings into product and technology decisions.
• Proven ability to perform root-cause analysis and resolve complex chemistry, instrumentation, and product-performance problems.
• Ability to lead technical programs and influence multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
• Ability to connect complex scientific and technical topics to customer, project, and business impact.
• Strong technical communication and presentation skills across scientific, engineering, leadership, and customer audiences.
• Excellent scientific and technical writing skills, including experience contributing to invention disclosures, patents, technical reports, or similar documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to scientists and engineers.
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Strong curiosity and willingness to evaluate emerging technologies and new approaches to scientific product development.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in a laboratory and office environment with appropriate exposure to chemicals, laboratory materials, and analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to safely lift and move materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a dynamic, collaborative product-development environment.

Why Thermo Fisher Scientific?

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, our work has a purpose. Our global team shares a commitment to enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

You’ll have the opportunity to work at the intersection of analytical chemistry, electrochemistry, instrumentation, and product innovation while collaborating with scientists and engineers who are advancing the capabilities of chromatography technologies.

Join us and help develop technologies that enable the next generation of scientific discovery.

Compensation and Benefits

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards