Senior Scientist

Innospec Inc.; The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Innospec Inc. is seeking a Senior Scientist to provide technical leadership in surfactant-based chemical EOR technologies. You will guide formulation strategy, drive laboratory innovation, and translate scientific insights into practical solutions for product development and customer needs.

The role partners with internal R&D, technology, and commercial teams, while mentoring developing scientists and strengthening the organization’s technical capability in chemical EOR.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or related field preferred; strong Master's with relevant experience considered.
• Post-doctoral research in chemical EOR preferred but not required.
• Experienced scientist with strong research foundation in surfactant systems or formulation science.
• Knowledge of surfactant chemistry and EOR concepts including interfacial behavior and performance optimization.
• Hands-on lab experience in experimental design, formulation prep, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Ability to translate lab results into practical recommendations for product development and field needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal stakeholders.
• Mentor or support other scientists through collaboration or leadership.
• Track record of scientific achievement through publications or patents preferred.
• Experience in specialty chemicals, energy applications, or oilfield chemistry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation strategy for surfactant-based chemical EOR technologies.
• Design, develop, and optimize new chemical EOR formulations via lab experiments and testing.
• Plan and oversee lab studies evaluating surfactant performance and formulation stability.
• Interpret results and translate into technical recommendations for product development.
• Serve as internal subject matter expert on surfactant chemistry and EOR mechanisms.
• Collaborate with R&D, technology, and commercial teams to address customer challenges.
• Advance technologies from concept to development with evidence and risk assessment.
• Mentor scientists and chemists with technical guidance.
• Contribute to IP through disclosures, patents, and technical reports.
• Stay current with literature and emerging surfactant chemistry developments.
• Expand external engagement to support broader technology objectives.

Skills

Surfactant chemistry

Chemical EOR concepts

Formulation science

Laboratory experimentation

Data analysis

Technical communication

Mentoring/leadership

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering

Master's degree with relevant experience

Tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

The Senior Scientist for Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery provides technical leadership for surfactant-based chemical EOR technologies, with responsibility for advancing formulation strategy, laboratory innovation, and application-focused problem solving. This hands-on role translates scientific insight into practical solutions that support product development, customer needs, and broader business objectives. The position partners closely with internal R&D, technology, and commercial teams while mentoring developing scientists and strengthening the organization’s technical capability in chemical EOR.

Essential Functions

• Lead the scientific direction and formulation strategy for surfactant-based chemical enhanced oil recovery technologies.
• Design, develop, and optimize new chemical EOR formulations through hands-on laboratory experimentation, performance testing, and technical analysis.
• Plan and oversee laboratory studies evaluating surfactant performance, formulation stability, phase behavior, compatibility, and application effectiveness.
• Interpret experimental results and translate findings into clear technical recommendations that guide product development, application troubleshooting, and next-stage research.
• Serve as an internal subject matter expert on surfactant chemistry, chemical EOR mechanisms, and formulation-performance relationships.
• Partner with R&D, technology, and commercial teams to address customer and application challenges with scientifically grounded solutions.
• Advance technologies from concept through development by generating technical evidence, identifying risks, and recommending practical paths forward.
• Mentor scientists and chemists by providing technical guidance, experimental insight, and scientific coaching.
• Contribute to intellectual property development through invention disclosures, patents, technical reports, and related documentation.
• Maintain awareness of relevant scientific literature, competitive technologies, and emerging developments in surfactant chemistry and chemical EOR.
• Expand technical influence and external engagement over time to support broader technology and business objectives.

Role Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or a related scientific discipline is preferred; candidates with a strong Master's degree background and directly relevant experience may also be considered.
• Post-doctoral research in chemical enhanced oil recovery is preferred but not required.
• Experienced scientist or chemist with a strong research foundation and demonstrated technical capability in surfactant systems, formulation science, or related applied chemistry.
• Strong knowledge of surfactant chemistry and chemical EOR concepts, including formulation design, interfacial behavior, and performance optimization.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in experimental design, formulation preparation, data analysis, and technical interpretation.
• Ability to solve complex scientific and application problems by connecting laboratory results to practical field or customer needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical findings to internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor or support other scientists through technical collaboration, coaching, or informal leadership.
• Track record of scientific achievement demonstrated through publications, patents, presentations, or equivalent research output is preferred.
• Experience in specialty chemicals, energy applications, colloid and interface science, or oilfield chemistry is preferred.

Environmental Restrictions

• Ability to perform essential job duties in both indoor and outdoor environments, including offices, facilities, and external job sites.
• Regular exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, moving equipment, and uneven terrain.
• Physical requirements may include sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, and operating tools or equipment as necessary to perform job responsibilities.
• Regular attendance and adherence to company safety policies are required.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state laws, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.