Scientist – Oilfield Applications R&D

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

At Nouryon, our global team takes positive action every day, to reach higher collectively and individually. We create innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers to answer society’s needs – today and in the future.

We are looking for a Scientist with strong experience in oilfield production chemistry, surfactant and polymer applications, and hands-on laboratory and field testing to join our team in Houston, TX. Are you passionate about developing chemical solutions, solving complex technical challenges, and working directly with customers to improve product performance? If so, we would love to hear from you!

About the job

As a Scientist in our Oilfield R&D team, you will play a key role in developing, evaluating, and optimizing chemical solutions for oil and gas applications, with a particular focus on production chemistry and field performance.

You will combine hands-on laboratory research with customer-facing technical support, working closely with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams to deliver effective solutions. As we expand our support to a broader range of oilfield customers, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of technical projects, support formulation development, and conduct field trials across North America and occasionally Latin America.

This role is ideal for an experienced oilfield scientist who can apply their existing technical expertise from day one while contributing to innovation and business growth.

In your future role as Scientist, you will

Lead and manage R&D projects focused on oilfield production chemistry, developing, evaluating, and optimizing chemical formulations for customer applications.

Design, conduct, and interpret laboratory experiments and field trials, particularly in demulsification, water clarification, corrosion control, scale control, and flow assurance.

Apply your expertise in surfactant, polymer, and surface chemistry to evaluate chemical performance, troubleshoot technical challenges, and develop effective solutions.

Provide hands-on technical support to customers, including on-site formulation testing, product optimization, troubleshooting, and technical presentations.

Take ownership of laboratory activities, including experimental design, testing protocols, equipment maintenance, and compliance with safety and HSE standards.

Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and global R&D teams to support customer development, long‑term research projects, technical publications, and intellectual property initiatives.

We believe you bring

• A Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.


• At least 8 years of relevant experience in oilfield applications, with a strong background in production chemistry and field applications.


• Hands‑on laboratory experience evaluating and optimizing oilfield chemical formulations, including the ability to understand the relationship between chemical structure and product performance.


• Strong technical expertise in surfactants, polymers, and their applications in oilfield operations, particularly production chemicals such as demulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors, and flow assurance solutions.


• Practical experience conducting field trials, supporting customers on‑site, troubleshooting technical issues, and evaluating chemical performance in real‑world oilfield conditions.


• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and customer‑facing skills, with the ability to work independently and travel up to 30% to customer and field sites, primarily in Texas and potentially Mexico and other locations in Latin America.

Great if you have

• A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.


• Experience working in West Texas oilfields, particularly with demulsification and water clarification applications.


• Experience with R&D project management processes, including stage‑gate methodologies such as Accolade.


• Experience preparing technical publications, supporting intellectual property activities, or contributing to global research projects.


• Spanish language proficiency, with the ability to communicate effectively with customers and field personnel in Mexico and Latin America.

Have we got your interest?

This is a permanent position on a full‑time basis, reporting to the Section Manager North America, R&D Oilfield, and based onsite at our Houston Almeda facility in Texas. The role involves travel of up to 30% to customer and field locations.

For more information about our hiring process, visit: https://www.nouryon.com/careers/how-we-hire/

We look forward to receiving your application!

About Nouryon

Explore careers and life at Nouryon

If you're looking for your next career move, apply today and join Nouryon's worldwide team in providing essential solutions that our customers use to manufacture everyday products such as personal care, cleaning, paints and coatings, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and building products.

Our employees are driven by the wish to make an impact and actively drive positive change. If that describes you, we will gladly make way for your ambitions. From day one, we support you with your personal growth through challenging positions and comprehensive learning and development opportunities in a dynamic, international, diverse, and proactive working environment.

Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.