Field Application Scientist (m/f/d) – Vibrational Spectroscopy (FTIR / Raman / FT-NIR) – DACH Full-time

Application Scientist / Spectroscopist (FTIR / Raman / FT-NIR)

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 single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

Our Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) provides a comprehensive range of instruments, consumables, software and services for research, analysis, discovery and diagnostics. Our offerings help customers in research, applied and industrial markets to solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity.

Customer Channels Group (CCG): CCG is responsible for managing our customer relationships and delivering an exceptional customer experience across all of our sales channels. We focus on understanding customer needs, providing tailored solutions, and ensuring seamless interactions throughout the customer journey.

This position is based at our Applications Laboratory in Dreieich, Germany (near Frankfurt), and requires on-site presence. Candidates must live within commuting distance due to hands-on lab ownership and management responsibilities. The role requires approximately 50% travel, primarily within the DACH region, with additional travel across EMEA as needed to support customers and business priorities.

The Application Scientist / Spectroscopist (FTIR / Raman / FT-NIR) provides expert technical leadership for industrial micro- and macro-sample analysis across the DACH region. This role delivers high-impact pre-sales and post-sales applications support, including customer trainings, sample and data interpretation, feasibility discussions, and on-site technical problem solving.

In addition to customer-facing responsibilities, this position holds direct accountability for applications lab ownership near Frankfurt, ensuring instrument readiness, lab workflow efficiency, safety compliance, and high-quality demo and training execution. The role serves as a key technical partner to commercial teams, helping protect and grow regional opportunities while maintaining readiness to support broader EMEA business needs.

Serve as the subject matter expert for spectroscopy-based industrial applications using FTIR, FT-NIR, Raman and FTIR microscopy. Lead technical discovery discussions to understand customer requirements and recommend fit-for-purpose solutions, including technique selection, sampling approaches, and workflow design.

Conduct in-lab and on-site demonstrations, application qualification, feasibility assessments, and customer onboarding. Deliver expert spectral and data interpretation aligned to customer objectives and clearly communicate technical outcomes and value. Provide hands-on instrument troubleshooting, perform initial diagnostics, apply root-cause thinking, and coordinate with service teams as required.

Manage day-to-day operations of the applications lab, including scheduling, instrument/demo readiness, sample handling and preparation, consumables tracking, documentation, EHS compliance, and continuous process improvement. Collaborate closely with DACH commercial teams and the wider EMEA network to strengthen technical engagement and increase win probability.

Approximately 50% travel, primarily within DACH, with additional EMEA travel as required

Combination of lab-based responsibilities and customer-site engagement

Ownership of applications lab operations and workflow planning

Customer-facing activities including demos, trainings, feasibility studies, and technical problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration with sales, service, product management, and regional applications teams

BSc required; MSc or PhD preferred in Physical Chemistry, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, or equivalent experience.

Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience operating FTIR instruments, including FTIR microscope experience. Demonstrated experience handling and preparing diverse industrial sample matrices. Proven capability in spectral and data interpretation across FTIR, FT-NIR, Raman and FTIR microscopy. Hands-on troubleshooting experience and confidence working directly with instruments.

Experience delivering customer trainings, method development, feasibility demonstrations, and supporting commercial teams in a customer-facing applications role is advantageous.

Deep technical competence in spectroscopy (FTIR / FT-NIR / Raman) including microscopy workflows. Strong analytical problem-solving capability and root-cause thinking. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear, requirement-driven customer reports demonstrating outcomes and ROI.

Strong time management skills, ability to prioritize multiple opportunities and deadlines, and capacity to work independently with limited supervision. Customer-first mindset with the ability to translate technical trade-offs into practical, value-based solutions.

Technical expertise and credibility in industrial spectroscopy applications.

Strong collaboration across commercial and technical teams.

High accountability and ownership of lab operations.

Ability to execute efficiently in a high-demand, travel-intensive environment.

Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!

Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Watch as our colleagues explain 5 reasons to work with us. As one team of 100,000+ colleagues, we share a common set of values – Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement – working together to accelerate research, solve complex scientific challenges, drive technological innovation and support patients in need.

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