Chemist

Dayforce; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Referral bonus

Paid training

Job summary

Select Water Solutions is seeking a Chemist to advance surfactant development for completions and frac chemistries. You will support R&D, optimize formulations, and analyze data to drive reservoir performance improvements.

The role emphasizes independent work, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and delivering technical reports for internal and external stakeholders. Exempt, full-time in Houston, TX.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Surfactant Chemistry, Chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Experience working in R&D for oil and gas chemistries is a plus.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research on completions/ frac chemistries and surfactant properties.
• Develop analytical methods and workflows to support R&D projects.
• Analyze lab and field data to optimize products and evaluate reservoir performance.
• Lead product development including formulation optimization and new product concepts.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Technical writing

Time management

Independent work

Project management

Collaboration

Education

Master’s or PhD in Surfactant Chemistry

Job description

1515 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Houston, TX 77043, USA

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 6:00 AM

CHEMIST

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Reports to: Director of R&D

Travel Requirement: No

Job Description

Select Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated Chemist with expertise in surfactant development, optimization, and performance to support ongoing R&D initiatives.

This position is ideal for candidates with a solid foundation in Surfactant Chemistry as it relates to completions operations in Oil and Gas and an interest in advancing the performance of frac chemistries, IOR, and EOR.

The essential job functions include, but are not limited to

• Conduct applied research to understand the following with respect to completions/frac chemistries:
  • Chemical properties, interactions with fluids, other chemistries, and the performance in wells (including performance during completions operations, well bore damage mitigation, and reservoir performance).
  • This will include the use of analytical techniques including but not limited to evaluation of surfactant properties (ST, IFT, CMC, Wettability, contact angle, etc), fluid rheology, and clay and fines control.
• Develop new analytical methods and experimental workflows to support R&D projects.
• Analyze laboratory and field data to support product optimization and reservoir performance evaluation.
• Product Development including review of raw materials, optimization of existing product formulations, and development of new products to improve performance, safety, and/or cost-efficiency.
• Prepare technical reports, research publications, and present findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Master’s or PhD in Surfactant Chemistry, Chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Strong understanding of the principles of formula development and optimization, completions operations (specifically the chemistries in use), surfactant/rock surface chemistry including compatibility with formation minerology, adsorption, wettability, alteration. An understanding of fluid dynamics, and the use of the various Oil and Gas chemistries in completions operations, EOR, and IOR.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams evaluate completion chemical performance.
• Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently to meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently
• Background in Surfactant Chemistry.
• Industry or academic research experience in surfactant usage and performance in hydraulic fracturing and/or stimulation/enhanced oil recovery.

Select Values and Guiding Principles

• W: Working Safe
• A: Accountability
• T: Teamwork
• R: Respect

Compensation Information

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

• Medical, dental, vision, coverage in addition to life and disability insurance plans.
• Paid Vacation Days and Paid Holidays.
• Retirement and Savings (401K) Plan with Company match.
• Referral bonus with no cap on amount of referrals.
• Paid Training.

Physical Demands and Exposures

• This position works inside a climate-controlled environment. The Company will supply adequate training and equipment to perform the functions of the job.
• Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm.
• Involves sitting at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Needs high degree of concentration in a busy area.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs.

Select Water Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. It is Select’s policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to any protected class, status, characteristic, or activity. All employment decisions, including decisions regarding recruitment, selection, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, advancement, discipline, discharge, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment are made without regard to any lawfully protected class, status, characteristic, or activity.

Select Water Solutions requires all employees whose jobs may involve environmental compliance to understand and comply with the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency’s Clean Air Act that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. A copy of the Clean Air Act can be provided to you upon request from Human Resources.

Select Water Solutions participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Select is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Select only uses E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.