Sr. Applications Scientist

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Summary:

Rigaku Americas is seeking a Senior XRF Applications Scientist to serve as a hands-on technical lead for customer-facing XRF applications work in The Woodlands TX. This role will lead the technical execution of pre-sales sample projects method development demonstrations customer presentations post-sales training calibration support and method implementation. The Senior XRF Applications Scientist will help execute those objectives by providing deep XRF expertise ensuring high-quality project execution and mentoring other XRF Applications Scientists and Applications Specialists on the team.

Responsibilities:

Lead hands-on execution of XRF applications projects including customer sample testing feasibility studies sample preparation instrument operation calibration method development data analysis and reporting.

Support pre-sales opportunities by proving analytical performance demonstrating methods and ease of use preparing results and presenting findings with the commercial team in person or online.

Develop optimize and document WD-XRF and ED-XRF methods for diverse sample types and industrial applications including cement mining batteries pharma petrochemicals metals ceramics semiconductors and advanced materials.

Provide post-sales applications support including customer training calibration and method commissioning troubleshooting how-to guidance and ad hoc technical support.

Review project scope execution plans analytical results data reports and customer deliverables prepared by Applications Scientists and Applications Specialists to strengthen quality consistency and technical rigor.

Mentor and develop other XRF technical team members in XRF fundamentals sample preparation method development data interpretation customer communication and project discipline.

Support readiness and proper operation of XRF instruments while coordinating needs and priorities with the XRF Applications Manager.

Support sample preparation workflows and equipment including grinders pellet presses fusion equipment reference materials standards lab supplies and consumables.

Contribute technical proof points application notes demonstration workflows and best practices that support growth of Rigakus XRF business and key account relationships.

Participate in strategic growth areas automation-ready XRF workflows and AI-driven autonomous lab concepts integrating XRF with XRD Thermal Analysis and other analytical technologies.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree or higher in chemistry materials science geology physics engineering or a related scientific discipline.

Strong hands-on experience with XRF spectroscopy including method development calibration sample preparation data interpretation instrument operation and customer-facing applications support.

Working knowledge of WD-XRF and/or ED-XRF instrumentation and analytical workflows; experience with both is preferred.

Practical experience with XRF sample preparation techniques such as pressed pellets fused beads powders liquids solids metals and application-specific workflows.

Experience leading complex technical projects reviewing analytical results and delivering clear recommendations to customers or internal stakeholders.

Ability to coach mentor and raise the technical quality of other applications team members without requiring direct line-management responsibility.

Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain methods assumptions limitations results and next steps to technical and non-technical audiences.

Experience supporting pre-sales demonstrations post-sales training method implementation calibration support troubleshooting or customer success activities.

Ability to manage multiple projects maintain high standards of laboratory work work regularly on-site in The Woodlands TX and travel as needed estimated at approximately up to 50% annually for customer sales opportunities consulting training trade shows/conferences factory coordination and product planning/development activities.

Preferred experience includes Rigaku or comparable XRF platforms industrial XRF applications MicroXRF TXRF XRD Thermal Analysis automated laboratories robotics-enabled sample handling LIMS connectivity or AI-driven lab workflows.

Rigaku offers a rewarding work environment and excellent benefits. All applicants are kept in strict confidence. Benefits package includes Health Dental Vision STD LTD Life insurance section 125 flexible spending accounts 401(k) plan and more. Rigaku is an EEO/AA employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability or protected veteran status. Applicants must be able to prove they can legally work in the US.