Oilfield R&D Scientist — Production Chemistry & Field Trials

Nouryon; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite in Houston

Travel up to 30%

Job summary

Nouryon is seeking a Scientist in Houston, TX, to develop and optimize chemical solutions for oilfield production chemistry applications. You will blend lab research with customer-facing support, coordinating with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D to deliver field-ready solutions.

You will lead projects, design experiments, and conduct field trials across North America, with potential Latin America involvement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant oilfield experience, with strong production chemistry background.
• Hands-on lab experience evaluating and optimizing oilfield formulations, linking structure to performance.
• Strong expertise in surfactants, polymers, and oilfield production chemicals.
• Experience conducting field trials, on-site customer support, and troubleshooting in real-world conditions.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% to customer and field sites, mainly in Texas and possibly Latin America.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage R&D projects focused on oilfield production chemistry and chemical formulations for customer applications.
• Design, conduct, and interpret laboratory experiments and field trials (demulsification, water clarification, corrosion, scale, flow).
• Apply surfactant and polymer chemistry to evaluate performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Provide hands-on technical support to customers, including on-site testing and technical presentations.
• Oversee laboratory activities, including design, testing protocols, equipment maintenance, and safety compliance.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams on customer development and IP initiatives.

Skills

Oilfield Chemistry

Production Chemistry

Surfactants

Field Testing

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC

GC

Rheometer

Job description

Nouryon is seeking a Scientist in Houston, TX, to develop and optimize chemical solutions for oilfield production chemistry applications. You will blend lab research with customer-facing support, coordinating with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D to deliver field-ready solutions.

You will lead projects, design experiments, and conduct field trials across North America, with potential Latin America involvement.