Senior Staff Scientist

ChampionX; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

ChampionX, now part of SLB, seeks a Sr. Staff Scientist/Engineer to advance production chemistry for emulsion breakers and water clarifiers in Sugar Land, Texas. The role requires deep expertise and hands-on research leadership in interfacial science and non-ionic surfactants.

You will translate science into scalable formulations, lead high-impact innovation projects, and collaborate across RD&E and commercial teams while mentoring others.

Qualifications

• PhD with 9–10+ years of relevant work experience.
• Strong background in interfacial science and non‑ionic surfactants.
• Experience with emulsion breaker and water clarifier development.
• Ability to translate science into scalable formulations.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research to advance production chemistry for emulsions and water clarification.
• Lead formulation design, screening, and scale-up to pilot and production.
• Collaborate with RD&E and business teams for high-impact innovations.
• Document results and contribute to IP portfolio.

Skills

Non-ionic surfactants

Interfacial science

Polymer chemistry

Formulation science

Structure-property relationships

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Synthetic chemistry

Advanced characterization techniques

DOE (Design of Experiments)

Job description

Disclaimer: SLB completed the acquisition of ChampionX on July 16, 2025. If selected for this position, employment will begin with ChampionX and will transition to SLB as part of the planned integration. We are looking for Sr. Staff Scientist / Engineer will support strategic and transformational innovation projects for Production Chemical Technologies within the Technology Production Maximization team located in Sugar Land, Texas. This role is intended for a highly versatile technical expert who communicates effectively, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is comfortable operating autonomously in a hands‑on research setting. The role will advance applied scientific research and product development for Production Maximization product lines, with particular emphasis on emulsion breakers and water clarifiers. The successful candidate will leverage deep expertise in non‑ionic surfactants, polymers, interfacial science, colloid and phase behavior, and structure‑property relationships to design, formulate, and scale differentiated production chemistry solutions that address complex customer challenges and deliver high‑impact innovation.

What You Will Do:

• Adopt, maintain, and promote safety standards while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Conduct applied scientific research to advance technical knowledge and solve complex production challenges related to water clarification and phase separation.
• Apply fundamental knowledge of synthetic chemistry and interfacial science to formulate new products that meet customer needs.
• Translate knowledge of non‑ionic surfactants, polymers, and interfacial science into emulsion breaker and water clarifier formulations for Production Maximization product lines.
• Design laboratory screening and performance evaluation strategies that connect formulation variables to oil‑water separation, water clarity, emulsion stability, and field applicability.
• Lead and execute strategic and transformational innovation projects with potential global reach and high business impact.
• Conduct standardized testing protocols to evaluate product performance, analyze research data, and prepare detailed reports and presentations.
• Own subject matter expertise for self‑initiated research and serve as a technical resource, teacher, and mentor for others.
• Lead the strategic direction of innovation while collaborating across RD&E teams and business functions.
• Leverage external technology and collaborations with industry or academia during the innovation process.
• Steward technical documentation and intellectual property, while monitoring the competitive landscape for disruptive technologies.
• Work directly with business counterparts and customers to identify needs, translate those needs into technical solutions, and support new technology adoption.
• Drive continuous improvement of the business to responsibly deliver energy and contribute to a safety‑focused, inclusive, and sustainable culture.

Product Line and Science Focus

Use structure‑property relationships, formulation science, and data‑driven experimentation to translate molecular and formulation design into practical field performance. Apply non‑ionic surfactant chemistry, polymer science, and interfacial science to understand and manipulate adsorption, wetting, emulsion stability, phase separation, and solids/liquid interface behavior. Develop and expand water clarifier technologies that improve water quality, accelerate separation, and address complex produced‑water challenges through new chemistries, blends, and additive strategies. Develop and advance differentiated emulsion breaker technologies for oil‑water separation, dehydration, interface control, and field‑relevant performance across Production Maximization applications.

Leadership, Culture, and Business Impact

Lead innovation with high business impact by applying strategic understanding of global markets, adjacencies, customer needs, and technical gaps to deliver breakthrough solutions. Embody operating principles that reinforce safety, continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration, and inclusive leadership. Build a broad sphere of influence as a safety leader, corporate citizen, mentor, and technical contributor. Grow subject matter expertise through independent learning and by staying current with advances in science and technology. Address personal development opportunities through self‑awareness, feedback, mentoring, and engagement with senior leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field.
• PhD with 9-10+ years of relevant work experience; MS with 12+ years; or BS with 15+ years.
• Experience with synthetic chemistry and advanced characterization techniques.
• Strong background in interfacial science, non‑ionic surfactant technologies, polymer chemistry, and formulation science relevant to emulsion breaker and water clarifier development.
• Deep understanding of structure‑property relationships and ability to apply them to oil‑water separation, water clarification, emulsion stability, and other practical production chemistry challenges.
• Proven capability developing innovative solutions, including product formulation and development.
• Ability to work with business counterparts to support customers and enable new technology adoption.
• Ability to analyze and interpret incomplete information and make sound technical recommendations.
• Strong record of technical documentation, including reports, presentations, and intellectual property contributions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to connect and interact with customers to clearly identify needs and translate those needs into solutions.
• Experience transitioning product development from laboratory scale to pilot and production scale.
• Experience with formal Design of Experiments and/or data analytics.
• Detail‑oriented work style with excellent time management skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Recognition as a technical expert, mentor, industry contributor, or trusted technical advisor.

Physical Demands:

This role is deemed safety‑sensitive and may be subject to employer or customer drug testing.

About Us:

ChampionX is now part of SLB, a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. We are a technology company that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. Today, we face a global imperative to create a future with more energy, but less carbon. Our diverse, innovative change makers are focused on going further in innovation and inventing the new energy technologies we need to get there. For more news and information, visit SLB.com. Follow us on Facebook at @WeAreSLBGlobal, LinkedIn: SLBGlobal, or Instagram at @SLBGlobal.

ChampionX is now part of SLB, a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. We are a technology company that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. Today, we face a global imperative to create a future with more energy, but less carbon. Our diverse, innovative change makers are focused on going further in innovation and inventing the new energy technologies we need to get there. For more news and information, visit SLB.com. Follow us on Facebook at @WeAreSLBGlobal, LinkedIn: SLBGlobal, or Instagram at @SLBGlobal.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and we are on a journey to create a workplace where every employee can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

ChampionX is now part of SLB, a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. We are a technology company that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that’s been our mission for nearly a century. Today, we face a global imperative to create a future with more energy, but less carbon. Our diverse, innovative change makers are focused on going further in innovation and inventing the new energy technologies we need to get there. For more news and information, visit SLB.com. Follow us on Facebook at @WeAreSLBGlobal, LinkedIn: SLBGlobal, or Instagram at @SLBGlobal.