Research & Development Specialist

Chevron•Richmond, CA

3d•$104,700 - $180,500•Onsite

About The Position

Chevron is accepting online applications for the position Research & Development Specialist through June 3, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time). Chevron is a leading global energy company with about 48,000 employees worldwide. The company is involved in exploring, producing, and transporting crude oil and natural gas; refining, marketing, and distributing fuels and other energy products; manufacturing and selling petrochemicals; generating power; and developing future energy sources. Currently, Chevron is seeking online applicants for a Technologist role within Global Laboratory Services (GLS). This position is part of the Crude Oil Assay and Refinery Support Team (COARS) in GLS. The lab handles high sample volumes and requires quick turnaround, strong multitasking skills, and clear communication. The COARS team manages physical property testing, thermal science, materials characterization, and crude oil analysis for one support group: Density, viscosity, pour/cloud/freeze points; volatility and thermal stability (TGA, NOACK, vapor pressure), Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry SEM/TEM/EDX microscopy, XRD, chemical and physical absorption for contamination, catalyst, coke, deposit analysis, particle size, and maximizing the value of hydrocarbons through thorough understanding of crude yields and qualities to inform economic decisions for value chain optimization and marketing equity crudes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related area.
Proven expertise in direct analysis and sample preparation.
Advanced troubleshooting abilities for analytical methods and instruments.
Skilled with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Strong verbal and written communication, multitasking, customer service, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry, SEM/TEM/EDX microscopy, XRD, chemical and physical absorption for contamination, catalyst, coke, deposit analysis, particle size.
Familiarity with density/API, viscosity and viscosity index, freeze/cloud/pour points, insolubility, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), TGA–Mass Spectrometry (TGA‑MS), vapor pressure (TGA‑DTA methods), NOACK volatility, flash point (TAG & Pensky‑Martens, extended range), and distillation.
Leadership and project management experience.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced analytical testing including Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC/MDSC/PDSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and hydrogen chemisorption.
Support physical property testing including density/API, viscosity, pour/cloud/freeze point, and thermal measurements.
Deliver accurate analytical results within required turnaround times.
Offer advanced materials, contamination, and particle characterization to help ensure crude assay quality, refinery operability, reliability, and product performance.
Identify wax presence and Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT) to aid crude handling, pipeline assessment, and assay planning
Lower dependence on external labs and reduce time from problem detection to corrective action
Prepare clear reports for customers
Develop and maintain SOPs and support equipment troubleshooting and implementation of new instrumentation.
Adhere to safety standards and properly handle hazardous materials.
Work with cross-functional teams and communicate technical findings clearly.
Train and mentor team members as needed.