Research Science Specialist (1704)

OVERVIEW:

Provides expert technical advice and guidance in either a broad or specialized area of petroleum research.  Because of his/her recognized technical capability, experience and judgment he/she makes a unique and substantial personal contribution in his/her area of expertise.

This position provides opportunity for continued advancement of individuals of outstanding technical capability who make substantial and essential contributions on an individual basis. This includes (1) individuals of broader experience and of demonstrated ability and good judgment, and (2) individuals who are expert in a particular specialized area of petroleum research. Particularly, he/she will work in a collaborative research and development environment involving the advanced materials development for upstream oil and gas applications in the areas of productivity enhancement including fracturing and matrix stimulation fluids, sand control, water shutoff to increase production and recovery from conventional and unconventional reservoirs; and develop new products and technologies in these areas. The increasing size and complexity of Saudi Aramco's producing operations and the related petroleum engineering support requires AACO to have in-house expertise in various specialized areas. 

The Engineering Advisor, Senior Engineering Advisor and Engineering Consultant positions provide for this expertise at increasing levels of recognized competence and demonstrated ability to communicate with Management and working associates and to convert technical expertise into practical recommendations regarding budget items, operating procedures, etc. Apart from the broader areas of Reservoir and Production Engineering, specialized areas in which individuals have been previously placed in Advisor and Senior Advisor positions include: Reservoir Simulation, Formulation Evaluation, Completions, and Long-Range Planning. 

Advisor and Consultant recommendations have an immediate impact upon operating procedures and new project definitions which often have individual impact in the millions of dollars.  These positions will also often head special task forces to solve individual problems.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Leads and/or participates in research and development efforts involving the advanced materials for upstream oil and gas production applications in the areas of productivity enhancement, stimulation fluids, sand control and unconventional gas.
• Has laboratory experience in advanced materials and their characterization and oilfield application methodologies.
• Keeps current with significant developments in the field of specialization and industry trends and technologies.  This includes synthesizing or formulating new chemicals, design customized experimental setup and procedure, and evaluate performance for the products.
• Demonstrates ability to perform material characterization and testing using an assortment of analytical instrument and methods, e.g. NMR, FT-IR, TGA, elemental analysis, GC-MS, HPLC.
• Designs and carries out advanced materials development with minimum supervision in a collaborative research environment.
• Develops new intellectual property, work with IP personnel to patent developed technology.
• Has ability to disseminate results through high impact journal publications, reports and presentations.
• Provides and manages a safe, accident-free laboratory environment and follows all company safety rules in performing job duties.
• Leads collaborative research with other R&D areas of the company, e.g., organic chemistry, process engineering, applications, etc. for increased intellectual property opportunities and future business advancement of AACO Saudi Aramco. 
• Serves as a leader scientist or participates in major investigative projects as assigned.
• Specifies design criteria and relevant operating parameters for development of BI's and/or new projects within his/her area of expertise.
• Participates in project technical reviews and reviews proposals for new or changed operating procedures on his/her area of expertise to ensure efficient and economic operations.
• Conducts economic studies on cost analysis as appropriate to resolve alternative causes of action relative to his/her area of expertise.
• Originates ideas for improvements, develops a basis for required field testing and Management review, analyses results and recommends new or changed procedures and/or facilities.
• Recommends, designs and oversees suitable outside investigations to resolve problems which exceed current engineering knowledge in his/her specialty.
• Represents AACO and Saudi Aramco in technical contacts with Shareholders and SAG representatives dealing with company procedures or proposed operations relative to his/her area of expertise.
• Makes presentations to AACO Management, to Shareholder Program Review, or to various Shareholder Technical Meetings, as appropriate.
• Represents AACO and Saudi Aramco in dealings with manufacturers, vendors, outside consultants, etc. within his/her area of expertise.
• Conducts seminars, prepares manuals, and trains and develops Aramco engineers and operating personnel in his/her area of expertise.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• B.S. in engineering or equivalent technical field.  M.S or PhD is highly preferred but not required; intensive industry training including appropriate specialized courses and seminars is expected.
• Typically has ten (10) years of related experience including at least the last five (5) years in intensive experience in his/her area of expertise.
• Must be able to communicate and comprehend both orally and in writing, accurately, clearly and concisely in English at the high level required to perform the job as outlined.
• Must be clearly recognized by both his/her supervisors and colleagues as thoroughly qualified and highly competent in his/her area of expertise.  Must have demonstrated ability to communicate ideas clearly to work effectively with others, and to utilize his/her technical knowledge to achieve practical results.  AACO and Saudi Aramco management must have confidence in his/her judgment and recommendations.

NO THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES ACCEPTED