Researcher, Hydrocarbon Processing

Alberta Innovates; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health and pension benefits

Professional development

Collaborative workplace

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Alberta Innovates in Edmonton seeks an Experienced Researcher to join the Hydrocarbon Processing team. You will lead multi-disciplinary projects, manage schedules and budgets, and engage clients to validate scope and changes, while mentoring junior staff.

Apply advanced technical expertise in EOR, fluid behavior, and data analysis; develop proposals and run experiments; use simulations and ML to support results; help shape standards and capabilities within the division.

Qualifications

• Post secondary degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Chemical, Reservoir focus preferred).
• A PhD is preferred; for a master's degree extended work experience may be substituted, if appropriate.
• APEGA member (if engineer).
• Minimum 5 years of technical or research and project/program management experience related to reservoir engineering and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Definition and monitoring of project schedule, budget, and scope of work.
• Managing and forecasting project workforce and asset allocation; ensuring effective scheduling and delegation.
• Preparing technical and progress reporting; engaging with clients to validate scope and change orders.
• Developing and applying new technologies, including EOR processes and ML techniques to support data analysis.
• Designing experiments, performing simulations, scaling up processes, and interpreting results.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to junior employees; adhere to PPMP and safety standards.
• Business development support: engaging with clients, preparing proposals, and following up to close contracts.

Skills

Project management

Technical expertise

Client engagement

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Engineering degree

PhD preferred

Job description

Employment Status: Full-time – PermanentLocation: Edmonton Research and Development ParkWork Model: On-site

About the Opportunity

The Experienced Researcher in our Hydrocarbon Processing team is an opportunity to be part of a professional, purpose-driven team that values collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Most importantly, your work will contribute to meaningful outcomes that make a difference for Albertans and help shape the future of our province.

Key responsibilities in the role of Experienced Researcher include:Project Management and Technical Expertise

• Definition and monitoring of project schedule, budget, and scope of work
• Managing and forecasting project workforce and asset allocation ensuring effective and optimal scheduling and delegation of tasking to appropriate staff members
• Managing project outcomes ensuring deliverables of commensurate quality
• Preparation of technical and progress reporting
• Engagement with clients and project stakeholders to validate scope of work and change orders, provide progress updates, and manage expectations

Use and apply innovative technical expertise and capabilities to:

• Develop, evaluate, and de-risk novel technologies (e.g., enhanced oil recovery processes) and procedures for unique client applications (solid knowledge of fluid behavior and multiphase flow in porous mediais required)
• Develop new projects and programs by preparing proposals and budgets for presentations to external clients to solicit funding support. Take an active role in both initiating and following up with clients during project development.
• Design project experiments and testing protocols, analyze and interpret data and experimental results, perform numerical simulation to history match experimental results, scale up the process and provide conclusions and recommendations
• Develop and application of machine learning or other artificial intelligence techniques to support data analysis
• Contribute to development of codes, standards, and best practices to support client qualification requirements
• Enhance the team’s capabilities and capacity to provide related services to clients including professional development, procurement of capital assets, and development of unique facilities
• Provide consultation on projects within the Division and with others to enhance multi-disciplinary capabilities

Provide coaching and mentoring to junior employees

Adhere to corporate project management and workplace health and safety standards and practices and InnoTech Alberta’s Professional Practice Management Plan (PPMP)

Business Development and Client Engagement

Provide support and apply technical expertise in business development efforts, including:

• Engagement with external clients and stakeholders to identify business opportunities. Preparing proposals based on the engagement with clients, follow up with clients to close contracts
• Monitoring and analyzing industry market intelligence, industry best practices, and emerging trends and championing identified business opportunities
• Facilitating client discussions and convening events to enable collaborative joint industry projects and multi-stakeholder initiatives to address common industry challenges
• Negotiating and arranging contractual agreements with clients

What You Need to Thrive in This Role

• Post Secondary degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Chemical, Reservoir focus preferred)
• A PhD is preferred, for a master’s degree extended work experience may be substituted for education credentials, if appropriate.
• APEGA member (if engineer)
• Minimum 5 years of technical or research and project/program management experience related to reservoir engineering and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to apply technical solutions from multiple industries and sectors to address client needs
• Strong project management and delivery skills
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills
• Strong written communication skills, demonstrated through technical reports and proposals
• Ability to facilitate and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail that reflects ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, competing agendas and heavy client demands
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and proactive
• Leadership and interpersonal skills and ability to coach and mentor junior staff
• Negotiation, conflict management, and decision-making skills

Passionate about being curious, collaborative and always seeking solutions, comfortable in ambiguity, excited to work in a changing environment

Who We Are

Alberta Innovates is the province’s most comprehensive research and innovation agency. From funding to commercialization, we are Alberta’s innovation engine. We foster and accelerate research and innovation to support entrepreneurs and drive economic growth for the benefit of Albertans.

InnoTech Alberta is Alberta's leading research and technology organization providing innovative solutions to global challenges facing industry, business and the public sector. With world‑class researchers, leading‑edge facilities, and strategic investments, InnoTech paves the path of innovation that grows Alberta's economy.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation aligned with our internal career framework and pay structures
• Comprehensive health, dental, and pension benefits to support you and your family
• Professional development and learning opportunities to help you grow and advance your career
• A collaborative and inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and every contribution matters
• Flexible work arrangements, where operationally appropriate, along with vacation and earned time off to rest, recharge and help you bring your best self to work.

The minimum starting salary for this position is $80,800 annually. Placement within the salary range will be based on the successful candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and internal equity.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance and provide credible references.

Privacy StatementThe personal information collected in the application process is for recruitment and hiring purposes only. This collection is authorized under section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act.

Employment EquityInnoTech Alberta is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Additional InformationThis recruitment process does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select candidates. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.If you are selected for an interview, please note that recording the interview or using AI tools or assistance during the interview is not permitted.