Applications Specialist, ICP-MS

The Applications Specialist is responsible for providing customer pre-sales, marketing support, customer installation and training, as well as conducting customer training class events for Spectro’s ICP-MS product line in North America.  The ideal candidate has strong technical experience in operating ICP-MS instruments, a solid understanding of the applications and sample preparation techniques, and excellent training and communication skills.  This highly active support role will involve frequent interactions directly with customers, sales representatives, the marketing team, the aftermarket support group, delivering application-based services such as performance studies, proof statements and development of hyphenated techniques and if needed, customized application training during initial installation.  The role will be part of a team that supports current customers and fulfills key sales and marketing objectives by facilitating in-depth product performance reviews, and by generating applications data that can be developed into publications, poster presentations, and other marketing material.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Support the commercial teams on strategic opportunities by researching and learning competitive instruments and developing competitive positioning.


• Provide software, technical and applications support pre- and after-sales to customers both directly and through the field sales organization


• Support on-site installation & customized application training for new instrument sales.


• Ability to travel domestically (approx. 60%), to visit customers for installation and customized on-site application training and support, attend sales meetings, training, tradeshows.
  Very limited international travel within AMERICAS and to EUROPE is required. 


• Aid in generating technical and application notes for both customer information and selling aids.


• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of personnel internal and external to the company.


• Document SOP’s for repeating customized applications and /or large key accounts.


• Keep informed on new training developments, methods, and techniques and develop new training courses associated with the introduction of new products or applications.


• Perform product training of all North American sales representatives.


• Provide feedback on product improvement, new product development and new product ideas.

Position Requirements: 

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Physics or Material Science with quantifiable experience in ICP-MS Spectroscopy.


• 3-5+ years’ experience in industry, academia, or related field.


• 3-5+ years’ related experience in a laboratory setting


• Strong Chemistry background with a minimum of two-years’ experience in the operation of ICP-MS.


• Familiar with spectrometers and laser ablation techniques, plus for ICP-OES & ICP-MS experience.


• Strong in oral and written communications skills.


• Ability to operate independently, with initiative, and good business judgement.


• Strong organizational and time management skills.


• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and or governmental regulations.


• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 


• Above average computer skills with common MS-Office suite of products.


• Basic MS-Windows OS environment networking skills.


• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. 

About Us:

SPECTRO is one of the worldwide leading suppliers of analytical instruments, employing optical emission (Arc/Spark OES, ICP-OES) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) technology, used for the elemental analysis of materials in industry, research and academia. SPECTRO is a member of the AMETEK Materials Analysis Division. SPECTRO manufactures advanced instruments and develops the best solutions for elemental analysis in a broad range of applications Elemental analysis is continuing to develop at a fast pace worldwide with the need for ultimate precision, complex system requirements, and expanding fields of applications for even routine operations. SPECTRO leads the progress advancements in this field by providing new solutions and continuous innovations. Founded in 1979 as a 3-man-enterprise, SPECTRO today employs over 400 employees around the world and is listed as the clear market leader for metal analyzers. In addition, growth in the sales of ICP and XRF spectrometers has continued to exceed industry averages.

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