Entity:

Technology

Job Family Group:

Research & Technology Group

Job Description:

The Fuels and Low Carbon Technology (F&LCT) team consists of over 300 technologists, scientists, and engineers who develop pioneering solutions to support BP’s Fuels, Refining, Bioenergy, and Hydrogen businesses. This group also supports the Technology division through innovation management, modeling, digital science, and academic research programs.

The Bioenergy & Hydrogen Technology team (B&HT) brings together scientists and engineers dedicated to delivering low-carbon energy solutions that align with BP’s strategy, while also supporting the technological needs of our oil and gas projects. The team works across many of BP’s businesses, advancing areas such as novel feedstocks, biofuels and advanced biofuels, and hydrogen.

The Opportunity

The Senior Scientist will work with our Synthetic Biology and Process development groups. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing our fungal platform by contributing to the design and improvement of fungal strains and fermentation bioprocesses.  This role is expected to participate actively in ideation and innovation, as well as to perform experimental research and development in support of our bioenergy projects. The individual will join a group of collaborative scientists and should possess strong communication abilities, outstanding interdisciplinary problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and a keen interest in scientific discovery. This position requires hands-on work at the laboratory and experience proven by a track record of scientific publications.   

Key Accountabilities

• Lead technical projects to develop microbial strains and fermentation technologies to produce enzyme formulations and molecules of interest.
• Provide expertise in tools and methods to optimize fungal strains and process conditions to achieve desired yields and product quality. 
• Design and execute experimental plans, process data, and critically analyze results to drive project goals. 
• Mentor junior scientist and research assistants to foster technical excellence and a positive culture. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure alignment with business strategies and customer needs. 
• Support development of lab processes to pilot-scale and production. 
• Contribute to intellectual property strategies, communicate experimental outcomes effectively through technical reports and presentations, and interact with stakeholders. 
• Exhibit attention to detail and troubleshooting capabilities.

• Operate independently and effectively in a fast-paced, multitasking environment, with an aptitude for communicating and creating meaningful team interactions.
• This lab-based role is expected to spend approximately 70% of the time working in the laboratory, delivering high-quality results to support bioscience projects and capability building.
• Promote safety initiatives and champion compliance with BP’s Code of Conduct.

Essential Criteria and Qualifications

• Fungal expertise: Deep, hands-on experience developing and optimizing fungal and/or filamentous fungal strains and fermentation processes, with a specific focus on Trichoderma reesei.
• Process development: Experience working with microbial fermentation process teams to develop and optimize lab and pilot scales.
• Problem-solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of implementing process improvements.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor scientific staff.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.

• Organization: Ability to prioritize responsibilities, respond flexibly to changing priorities, and work effectively in a multitasking and matrix environment.
• Safety: Ensure all laboratory and process development activities comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs), environmental health and safety (EHS) guidelines, and quality standards at bp Biosciences Center.

Education

Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Microbiology, Fermentation Science, or related fields with PhD and 5+ years of industrial experience, or Master’s plus 10+ years of industrial experience.

Skills

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis software, and laboratory procedures.
• Strong scientific background in filamentous fungi, specifically Trichoderma reesei microbiology, physiology and/or and process technology, along with experience in fermentation equipment and scientific project leadership.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with analytical chemistry techniques such as HPLC, GC, LC-MS, or GC-MS.
• Laboratory experience and data analysis for genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.

Travel Requirement: up to 10%

Relocation Assistance: None

How much do we pay (Base)? ($125,000 - $231,000)

*Note that the base pay range listed for this position is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting. We offer a reward and wellbeing package to enable your work to fit with your life. These can include, but are not limited to, access to health, vision and dental insurance, flexible working schedule, paid time off policy, discretionary annual bonus program, long-term incentive program, and a generous 401K matching program. You may learn more about our generous benefits at benefits@bp.

About us

Our purpose is to bring together people, energy and markets to power and navigate a changing world. In a time of constant change and possibility we need new talent to pursue commercial opportunities, fueled by world-class insight and expertise. We’re always striving for more innovative digital solutions, sustainable outcomes and closer collaboration across our company and beyond, and you could be part of that too. Together we continue to grow as the world’s leading energy company!

Why join bp:

At bp, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and challenging environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to encouraging an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly.

There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, and excellent retirement benefits, among others!

Travel Requirement

Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is not available for remote working

Skills:

Agility core practices, Analytical Thinking, Bioprocess Design, Chemical kinetic modelling, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Curiosity, Experimental Design, Industry technology knowledge, Intellectual Asset Management, Life cycle and circularity, Multi-physics modelling, New process technology scale-up, Novel process development, Pilot and demonstration plant operation, Presenting, Problem Solving, Process Safety Engineering, Science and Technology Leadership, Scientific publication, Talent Matching, Technoeconomic evaluation of processes, Thermophysical modelling, Thought Leadership

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.