Scientist - Oilfield Applications R&D

Nouryon • Houston, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Nouryon is hiring a Scientist for its Oilfield R&D team, based onsite at the Houston Almeda facility in Texas. The role focuses on developing, evaluating, and optimizing chemical solutions for oil and gas applications, particularly production chemistry and field performance. The Scientist combines laboratory research with customer-facing technical support and collaborates with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams. The role includes ownership of technical projects, formulation development, and field trials across North America and occasionally Latin America.

The Scientist leads research and development projects, designs and interprets laboratory experiments and field trials, and applies expertise in surfactants, polymers, and surface chemistry to resolve technical challenges. The position also provides hands-on customer support, manages laboratory activities, and contributes to customer development, research projects, technical publications, and intellectual property initiatives. Travel to customer and field sites may be up to 30%, primarily in Texas and potentially Mexico and other locations in Latin America. This is a permanent, full-time position reporting to the Section Manager North America, R&D Oilfield.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in oilfield applications, with a strong background in production chemistry and field applications.
• Hands-on laboratory experience evaluating and optimizing oilfield chemical formulations, including understanding the relationship between chemical structure and product performance.
• Strong technical expertise in surfactants and polymers and their applications in oilfield operations, particularly production chemicals such as demulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, and flow assurance solutions.
• Practical experience conducting field trials, supporting customers on-site, troubleshooting technical issues, and evaluating chemical performance in real-world oilfield conditions.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to work independently and travel up to 30% to customer and field sites, primarily in Texas and potentially Mexico and other locations in Latin America.
• Analytical and solution-oriented approach; collaborative and customer-focused; independent and accountable; adaptable and organized; curious and innovative.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience working in West Texas oilfields, particularly with demulsification and water clarification applications.
• Experience with R&D project management processes, including stage-gate methodologies such as Accolade.
• Experience preparing technical publications, supporting intellectual property activities, or contributing to global research projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage R&D projects focused on oilfield production chemistry and develop, evaluate, and optimize chemical formulations for customer applications.
• Design, conduct, and interpret laboratory experiments and field trials, particularly in demulsification, water clarification, corrosion control, scale control, and flow assurance.
• Apply surfactant, polymer, and surface chemistry expertise to evaluate chemical performance, troubleshoot technical challenges, and develop solutions.
• Provide hands-on customer technical support, including on-site formulation testing, product optimization, troubleshooting, and technical presentations.
• Take ownership of laboratory activities, including experimental design, testing protocols, equipment maintenance, and compliance with safety and HSE standards.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams to support customer development, long-term research projects, technical publications, and intellectual property initiatives.
• Travel up to 30% to customer and field locations.

Benefits

• Personal growth support from day one through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities.
• Dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior