Manager, Refining & Technology Validation Research

Neste; Porvoo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personnel fund

Occupational health care

Insurance fund membership

Leisure time accident insurance

ePassi benefits

Job summary

Neste is seeking a Manager in Porvoo, Finland, to lead the Refining & Technology Validation team within the Catalysts & Refining department. The role focuses on experimental catalyst testing, technology development, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders across T&I projects.

You will lead a group of experts, ensuring safety and high quality in laboratories, while developing competencies and aligning with Neste’s growth in renewable fuels.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Chemical Engineering required.
• Proven leadership experience and ability to develop a high-performing team.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken.
• Strong safety mindset and commitment to quality in laboratory work.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of ca. 10 experts in conversion technologies and material research.
• Ensure safety and quality of laboratory work and experiments.
• Contribute to Technology & Innovation projects and provide expert services.
• Participate in department leadership with operational and strategic input.

Skills

People leadership

Communication skills

Safety focus

Team development

English fluency

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Are you looking for a career in an inspiring, global environment where your expertise makes a difference? At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

We are looking for you,

Manager

to our Refining & Technology Validation team to support Neste Renewable and Oil Products businesses. The position is full-time, permanent position and will be located in Technology Centre, Kilpilahti industrial area in Porvoo.

The Refining & Technology Validation Research team belongs to the Catalysts & Refining department in the Neste Process Technology unit.

In this job you will work closely with other teams and experts in the department, as well as with multiple stakeholders from various T&I projects and business contacts.

In our team, you will lead a group of experts and work related to experimental catalyst testing in bench/pilot scale reactors, technology development for catalytic units, material research, and refinery collaboration. Together with your expertise, we can do meaningful work to drive Neste forward.

Reasons to join

We operate in an inspiring and evolving business environment as a global leader in renewable fuels. We contribute to Neste’s success by living our values every day: we care, we have courage, we cooperate. We prioritize safety at all times and in every location. We strive to create a positive and impactful work environment. Transformation brings new possibilities and fosters our courage and curiosity. As a global company, we support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities. Collaboration is key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working. We work at the office at least three days a week to ensure seamless teamwork and a sense of belonging.

In addition, our benefits for employees in Finland include, for example, a personnel fund as part of the overall remuneration, good occupational health care, a membership in a sickness or health insurance fund and leisure time accident insurance. We also support leisure time activities, e.g. by offering benefits for sports and culture (ePassi). The job is located in Kilpilahti, Porvoo, which is about a 30‑45 minute drive from the capital region. We organize free bus transportation to Kilpilahti for our employees from the capital region, Porvoo and the nearby areas.

More about the job

Your role in our team

In your role, you will work as a line manager, leading ca. 10 experts in the area of conversion technologies and material research. You are responsible for the safety and quality of the work in the laboratories and you will develop competencies, and experimental / research practices together with your team. You and your team provide expertise needed in Technology & Innovation projects, and expert services. You will be a member of the department leadership team and will have the possibility to contribute with both operational and strategic themes.

Keys to success in this role

• University degree from Chemical Engineering (Master’s or PhD degree)
• Strong background in chemical industry or experimental research work
• Interest in and aptitude for leading and developing a team of highly skilled professionals via motivation, empowerment and clarity
• People leadership and organizing skills
• Proactive and collaborative way of working
• Confirmation and development of safety at work
• Strong communication skills, including presentation and report writing skills, and ability to make conclusions and recommendations
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken

Other strengths we value

• Interest in people leadership and development
• Previous experience as a line manager
• Mindset of curiosity or previous experience from R&D / Innovation
• Experience and or interest with catalyst testing in bench/pilot scale reactor
• Experience from oil refinery or refinery processes knowhow
• Skillful user of modern IT tools and AI

Application deadline: 25 November 2026

We will do our best to contact you within 2 weeks after the application time has ended. The recruitment process will include interviews and a potential aptitude assessment. The first interviews are preliminarily scheduled to take place in week 49.

Depending on the requirements of the position, the process may include a security clearance (with a drug test) and a potential statutory health examination based on work-related exposures.

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) is the world's leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with production on three continents. Neste’s strategy focuses on growth in renewable fuels. The company’s renewables production capacity is expected to reach 6.8 million tons annually in 2027. Neste also produces high-quality oil products at its Porvoo refinery in Finland. The company has a network of nearly 1,000 fuel stations with expanding service offering, such as EV charging, in Finland and in the Baltics. Neste is included in many international indices for its sustainability performance. In 2025, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 19.0 billion. Read more: neste.com