Research Geochemist (1840)

Aramco Americas Company•Houston, TX

About The Position

OVERVIEW: Provides professional advice and assistance in the resolution of substantial laboratory-related technical problems in the areas of inorganic geochemistry; petroleum systems and petroleum geochemistry; isotopic studies, chemistry; chemical, petroleum or civil engineering; industrial microbiology; or other applied industrial sciences associated with operational problems in Company facilities. SCOPE: Carries out investigative projects of significant scope with minimum supervision. Projects are comprehensive and original. Incumbent functions in laboratory units providing non-routine services: Advanced Instruments; Drilling and Production Services; Core Services; Central Corrosion and Chemical Evaluation, Geotechnical, or as assigned. Perform advanced analyses on geochemical laboratory data, evaluations, studies and/or investigations to support R&D efforts. Have working knowledge of analytical techniques such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction on geologic materials. Design and conduct experiments to analyze the natural variations in geologic materials using isotopic and elemental data. Collaborate with team members and employ subject matter expertise in advanced geochemical analyses in oil and gas related research and sustainability initiatives. In addition, perform specialized laboratory functions to gather geochemical data and conduct analyses to support Aramco Americas R&D activities and the larger company goals.

Requirements

B.S. Degree in Science/Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Discipline as appropriate for the area of expertise for the assigned jobs.
Seven years (7) experience in a substantive industrial, technological or laboratory area relevant to the jobs assignment.
Must be able to communicate and comprehend accurately, clearly and concisely in English at a level required to perform the job as outlined.
Candidate should be comfortable in working independently or part of a project team, frequent project presentation and travel to meetings at conferences and universities. Must possess good work habits, a strong work ethic, and be able to adhere to company work hours, policies, and standard business etiquette.

Responsibilities

Provides professional advice and assistance in a specialized area of technology such as industrial, analytical or physical chemistry; microbiology; geotechnical or other specialized areas of civil engineering; petroleum or chemical engineering.
Carries out original investigations relating to technical problems outside the scope of available literature.
Keeps current with significant developments in the field of specialization. Is expected to use these in high investigative assignments when applicable.
Makes comprehensive professional reports of investigations. Reviews existing patents.
Maintains and updates his/her working knowledge of applicable state-of- the-art laboratory instrumentation.
Provide and manage a safe, accident-free laboratory environment. Follow all company safety rules in performing job duties.
Lead collaborative research with other R&D areas of the company, e.g., analytical chemistry, process engineering, applications, etc. for increased intellectual property opportunities and future business advancement of ASC or Saudi Aramco. Publish in relevant journals and present in conferences.
Serves as a team leader or participates in major investigative projects as assigned.
Performs other miscellaneous related duties as requested.
Assist and advise lab tech personnel with laboratory experiments regarding rocks, gases, and oils on their own research projects.
Analyze and interpret compound data from the geochemical lab instruments to design new geochemical indicators on geologic materials.
Analyze and identify minerals and organic matter through microscopy techniques.
Analyze and identify gases using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS); gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Analyze and identify organic and inorganic compounds in aqueous solutions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Analyze natural variations in the isotopic composition of elements that occur as a consequence of chemical and physical processes.
Development of high pressure/high temperature experimentation.
Develop knowledge of low temperature experimentation and modeling of aqueous geochemical processes.
Support operation and troubleshooting of instrumentation and quality-check data obtained from this equipment.
Work with lab technicians and staff scientists to analyze advanced geochemical data, QC experimental workflows and document results and conclusions in high-quality technical reports.
Identify and design best laboratory methods to be applied for rock and fluid analysis to investigate organic and inorganic geochemical compounds.
Assist the science personnel with search of public references and data to improve existing technologies.
Write reports and draft publications for external presentations using experimental results.
Observe and maintain the highest safety standards in laboratory and regularly assist in safety inspections of the laboratory as needed.
Explain analysis results to a multi-disciplinary research team and management.
Use analysis software and Excel to compile data reports and assist in data manipulation and interpretation.
Responsible for maintaining laboratory data in collaboration with research staff. Work with other data management/ IT staff as needed to align on data management practices.
Work with vendors or external collaborators to as needed to support R&D research objectives for various petroleum geochemistry projects.
Serve as a technical reference for laboratory technicians from other technical disciplines.