Senior Researcher, Petroleum Fluid PVT

Experienced Researcher in Phase Behavior and Fluid Flow

As part of the In Situ Recovery team, this position is responsible for supporting the development of oil recovery processes and underground CO2 storage, addressing the needs of InnoTech’s industrial clients.  The position encompasses investigating fluid characterization and phase behavior (PVT), in-situ hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms, determining fluid flow in porous media, chemical analysis, data interpretation, communication of experimental results and collaboration with colleagues, clients, and external experts primarily in oil and gas recovery.

Are you our next Researcher for Energy Services? You would be a good fit for this position if you are:

• A highly motivated, results-oriented individual with a background in either physical chemistry, physics, or chemical engineering
• Collaborative by nature and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary collaborative team.
• Interested in tackling new technical challenges and developing innovative solutions to problems.
• Resourceful, creative, and forward thinking
• Able to adapt to a dynamic schedule and work both independently and as part of a team.

We are game changers

InnoTech Alberta, a subsidiary of Alberta Innovates, is a leading research and technology organization serving the needs of the industry and service sector in Alberta. Our leading-edge expertise and industrial-scale research and demonstration facilities accelerate and de-risk technology development and deployment for our clients with a focus on industrial solutions and commercial application. With over 230 employees, InnoTech operates in several locations across the province, including Vegreville, Edmonton, Devon, and Calgary. We are Alberta’s innovation engine - with 100 years of bold ideas that feed, grow, fuel, and build Alberta’s agriculture, energy, environment, and forestry sectors.  Visit us at: InnoTechAlberta.ca

Intrigued? Here’s some more information about the position:

The Experienced Researcher is accountable for project development, management, and execution within the Energy Services division of InnoTech. The Energy Services division strives to be the preferred research partner of industry for addressing complex resource development and recovery challenges, focused mainly on heavy oil and bitumen recovery in the province of Alberta, with extension of the reservoir process to CO2 geological storage and hydrogen production and mineral recovery. Our collaborative work with the Government of Alberta and industry helps the oil and gas companies to achieve improved production and economical gains with reduced environmental footprint of resource recovery by developing efficient recovery processes. The In Situ Recovery Team develops recovery schemes from bench top concept through laboratory evaluations to designing and monitoring field applications.   As an experienced researcher on this team, you would characterize petroleum fluids and core material, identify & quantify reservoir fluids porous media transport and recovery mechanisms, analyze experimental results, perform detailed petroleum fluid modelling & numerical history matching of lab experiment, upscale the experiments from lab scale to field scale using reservoir simulator, and communicate the results to industrial clients.  InnoTech’s research focus is to evaluate and validate solutions that address industry needs for oil and gas operators.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Project Management and Technical Expertise

• Develop and manage execution of applied research and development projects including:
  • Definition and monitoring of project scope of work, schedule, and budget
  • Managing projects and forecasting project workforce and asset allocation, ensuring effective and optimal scheduling and delegation of tasks
  • Managing project outcomes, ensuring deliverables of commensurate quality
  • Prepare and present client reports and publish results in the scientific literature.
  • Engagement with clients and project stakeholders to validate scope of work and change orders, provide progress updates, and manage expectations.
  • Summary and analysis of core/fluid characterization, interpretation of experimental data/results, scale up of experimental results, communication of results, and recommendations to industrial clients.
  • Data collection & processing, and report writing.
• Use and apply innovative technical expertise and capabilities to:
  • Prepare and/or deliver reports and presentations for clients, publishing work in peer-reviewed journals, as appropriate.
  • Contribute to development of codes, standards, and best practices to support client qualification requirements.
  • Enhance the team’s capabilities and capacity to provide related services to clients including professional development, procurement of capital assets, and development of unique facilities.
  • Complete laboratory and field work
  • Provide consultation on projects within the Division and with others to enhance multi-disciplinary capabilities.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to junior employees.
• Adhere to corporate project management and workplace health and safety standards.

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Provide support and apply technical expertise in business development efforts, including:
  • Engagement with external clients and stakeholders to identify business opportunities.
  • Monitoring and analyzing industry market intelligence, industry best practices, and emerging trends and championing identified business opportunities.
  • Preparing project proposals and budgets and supporting preparation of program proposals, for presentation to external and internal clients to solicit funding support.
  • Facilitating client discussions and convening events to enable collaborative joint industry projects and multi-stakeholder initiatives to address common industry challenges. 
  • Negotiating and arranging contractual agreements with clients
  • Supporting Division’s branding and market positioning initiatives including representing InnoTech Alberta at tradeshows, conferences, and workshops

The position will be based in InnoTech Alberta’s Edmonton Research Development Park location.

Qualifications and skills we are looking for:

• Education and Experience Requirements:
  • Postgraduate PhD degree in Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Petroleum Engineering will be preferred.
  • Industrial experience may be substituted for postgraduate certification.
  • Knowledge and experience with Alberta’s energy sector. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, PVT software, and reservoir simulator

• Key Skills and Abilities:
  • Confident experimentalist focused on fluid characterization/phase behavior measurements & modelling, and multi-phase porous media flow.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to apply technical solutions from multiple industries and sectors to address client needs.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication, and presentation skills
  • Strong written communication skills, technical writing skills demonstrated through technical reports and research proposals.
  • Ability to facilitate and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strong organization skills and attention to detail that reflects ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, competing agendas, and heavy client demands.
  • Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and proactive.
  • People leadership and interpersonal skills and ability to coach and mentor junior staff.
  • Negotiation, conflict management, and decision-making skills
  • Basic understanding of contract elements and process
  • Flexible to work and conduct research independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary collaborative team.
  • Be willing to conduct field work.
  • Valid driver’s license

Why InnoTech Alberta?

We offer our employees opportunities to work on projects that will expand their skill sets while witnessing the visible impacts of their efforts. We value the development of our employees and create opportunities for working in capacities that allow new skills to be learned. We know that the wellness of our team is the most important part of our business, so we offer a strong benefits package and generous vacation and paid time off programs to promote work-life balance.

Additional Information

At InnoTech Alberta, we respect diversity and embrace an inclusive culture. We value uniqueness and different perspectives as they play a critical role in our success. To achieve this, individuals are selected based on qualifications, merit, and abilities and we encourage applications from all backgrounds to apply.  

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance. All interviewees must be able to meet the requirement specified in the Physical Demand Analysis. This document will be supplied during the interview process to the successful candidate. This competition will remain open until a successful candidate is found.

INNOTECH ALBERTA IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL INDIVIDUALS. WE WISH TO THANK ALL APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST. HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.