Specialist Drilling Researcher

aramco; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aramco Europe in Aberdeen is seeking an experienced Specialist Researcher to lead advanced drilling research, define priorities, and drive technology development with autonomy.

You will collaborate with industry partners, translate research into practical solutions, and deliver field-ready innovations while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. This senior role requires 15+ years in drilling, strong publication record, and ability to lead multi-project portfolios.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in Petroleum Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience leading advanced drilling research programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with field deployment experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced research into production and completions challenges, including design, optimization, artificial lift and sand management.
• Develop research roadmaps, proposals and strategy aligned with operations and business needs.
• Translate research outputs into practical engineering solutions and standards for field deployment.

Skills

Drilling technologies

Applied research

Technology development

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Master's degree in Petroleum Engineering

PhD in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

Python

Matlab

Job description

About the Company

At Aramco Europe, we believe in the power of energy to transform lives, strengthen communities, and support human progress. We connect people, projects, and markets to help deliver reliable energy solutions around the world while advancing innovation and sustainability.

Our European research centres play a key role in developing next-generation technologies that address some of the industry's most complex challenges. Through collaboration, scientific excellence, and a commitment to innovation, we support the development of technologies that improve operational performance, enhance safety, and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.

As part of one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, you will have the opportunity to work on high-impact projects, collaborate with leading experts, and contribute to technologies that can shape the future of the energy industry.

Job Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Specialist Researcher to join our research team in Aberdeen. This is a senior technical position for an individual with deep expertise in drilling technologies, applied research, and technology development.

The successful candidate will serve as a recognised subject matter expert, leading advanced research into complex and emerging drilling challenges. You will help define research priorities, provide scientific leadership across significant areas of the drilling research programme, and develop innovative technologies that can be translated into practical engineering solutions.

Working with considerable autonomy, you will tackle complex multidisciplinary challenges, apply advanced technical judgement, and influence both research strategy and operational outcomes.

The role requires a balance of technical excellence, innovation, commercial awareness, and collaboration, as you work with stakeholders across Aramco and the wider industry to drive the development and deployment of new technologies.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to safer, more efficient, and more sustainable drilling operations while helping shape the future direction of drilling technology research.

Responsibilities

• Production and Completions Research and Technical Investigation: Lead advanced research into production and completions challenges, including completion design, production optimisation, artificial lift, stimulation, flow assurance, sand management, well integrity, intervention, production chemistry, equipment reliability, and emerging technologies.
• Research Strategy and Portfolio Development: Identify high-value research opportunities, develop research roadmaps and proposals, and help shape production and completions technology strategy aligned with operational and business needs.
• Technology Development and Validation: Develop, test, and validate new production and completions technologies, tools, materials, methodologies, and digital solutions through laboratory studies, simulations, field trials, and operational pilots.
• R&D Methodologies and Tools: Evaluate and improve research processes, analytical approaches, models, and tools to enhance research quality, efficiency, repeatability, and practical application.
• Operational Problem-Solving and Expert Advice: Provide specialist technical guidance on complex production and completions challenges by integrating research findings, operational experience, and well and facility data to deliver effective solutions.
• Research Insights and Reporting: Analyse and integrate findings from multiple studies and data sources, identify trends and opportunities, and communicate clear recommendations to technical, operational, and management stakeholders.
• Data Collection, Predictive Modelling and Analysis: Apply advanced analytics, physics-based modelling, predictive techniques, machine learning, and AI to production, completions, intervention, integrity, and subsurface data to improve performance and support decision making.
• Research Investment, Funding Proposals and Value Realisation: Develop business cases and funding proposals for research initiatives, assessing costs, risks, benefits, technical feasibility, and tracking realised operational value following implementation.
• Horizon Scanning and Opportunity Assessment: Monitor emerging technologies and industry developments, including automation, AI, robotics, advanced materials, downhole sensing, electrification, and lower‑carbon production solutions, identifying opportunities for adoption and innovation.
• Research Translation and Implementation: Convert research outputs into practical engineering solutions, technical standards, operating practices, methodologies, and decision‑support tools that deliver measurable business value.
• Field Trials and Performance Evaluation: Define validation strategies and oversee field trials, pilot programmes, and technology demonstrations, evaluating performance and recommending next steps for further development, deployment, or adoption.
• Technical Assurance, Safety and Compliance: Ensure research activities, trials, and proposed solutions comply with applicable HSE, regulatory, technical assurance, research integrity, and ethical standards.
• Research Programme and Portfolio Delivery: Provide scientific leadership across multiple projects and research workstreams, setting priorities, managing risks and dependencies, and ensuring delivery of strategic research objectives.
• External Research Collaboration: Build and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutes, technology providers, operators, service companies, and industry bodies to support innovation and research delivery.
• Intellectual Property and Research Governance: Protect confidential information and intellectual property, support invention disclosures and patent development, and ensure compliance with research governance and documentation requirements.
• Information and Business Advice: Provide specialist advice on policies, procedures, technical matters, and business processes, resolving issues and escalating complex matters where appropriate.
• Operational Compliance: Monitor activities and behaviours to ensure compliance with organisational policies, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
• Performance Management: Set and manage personal performance objectives, taking accountability for delivery, continuous improvement, and achievement of agreed goals.
• Personal Capability Building: Act as a recognised subject matter expert, maintaining technical excellence through professional development, industry engagement, conferences, publications, and awareness of emerging technologies and best practices.

Tasks

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and conducting advanced applied research into complex drilling challenges using experimental, analytical, modelling, and statistical techniques.
• Developing, testing, and validating innovative drilling technologies, tools, materials, and methodologies through laboratory studies, simulations, field trials, and operational pilots.
• Analysing drilling, operational, and subsurface data to identify root causes, evaluate performance trends, predict risks, and recommend effective technical solutions.
• Providing expert technical advice and guidance on complex, non-routine, and technically challenging drilling matters.
• Leading significant research projects and research workstreams while managing dependencies, technical risks, and project outcomes.
• Translating research findings into practical engineering solutions, operating practices, technical standards, and implementation strategies.
• Evaluating emerging technologies and identifying opportunities that can deliver long-term value to drilling operations.
• Supporting the progression of technologies from concept development through qualification, field validation, implementation, and scale-up.
• Developing technical reports, scientific publications, management presentations, invention disclosures, and other research outputs.
• Building strong partnerships with universities, research institutions, technology providers, operators, and industry organisations.Contributing to knowledge sharing, capability development, mentoring, and technical leadership activities across the organisation.
• The role also requires active engagement with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that research outcomes deliver measurable operational value and support long-term business objectives.

Education

Applicants should possess a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or another closely related engineering or scientific discipline.

Candidates who have developed equivalent expertise through extensive industry experience may also be considered.

Experience

We are looking for an accomplished technical professional with typically 15+ years of relevant experience in drilling technology, research, engineering, or a related upstream discipline.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong track record of designing and delivering advanced applied research programmes.
• Experience developing and validating new technologies, methodologies, digital solutions, or engineering tools.
• Expertise in solving complex technical challenges using scientific evidence, operational data, and sound engineering judgement.
• Experience progressing technologies from concept through development, qualification, field validation, and deployment.
• The ability to lead significant research projects and translate research outcomes into real-world operational improvements.
• Strong technical depth within at least one drilling technology discipline, combined with an understanding of broader drilling and well construction systems.
• Experience assessing emerging technologies, research opportunities, and investment proposals.
• Excellent communication skills, including the preparation of technical reports, publications, presentations, and management briefings.
• A collaborative approach with experience working across multidisciplinary teams and external research partnerships.

Candidates with experience in advanced analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, predictive modelling, or automation applied to drilling operations will be particularly attractive.

Additional – Optional/Advantageous

The following qualifications and experience are considered advantageous:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or an equivalent professional accreditation.
• European Engineer (EUR ING) recognition.
• Project management certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent.
• Experience generating patents, invention disclosures, technology licensing agreements, or commercially deployed technologies.
• A recognised history of technical innovation and industry leadership.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly experienced researcher or technical specialist who is passionate about innovation and wants to help shape the future of drilling technology within a world-leading energy organisation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability.