Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Chemical Engineer)

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Scientist - Chemical Engineer, Carbon Capture Materials and Processes

(2 year Fixed-Term contract)

About Us

We are a global technology company, driving energy innovation for a balanced planet.

At SLB we create amazing technology that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that has been our mission for 100 years. We are facing the world’s greatest balancing act: how to simultaneously reduce emissions and meet the world’s growing energy demands.

We’re working on that answer. Every day, a step closer.

Our collective future depends on decarbonizing the fossil fuel industry, while innovating a new energy landscape. It’s what drives us. Ensuring progress for people and the planet, on the journey to net zero and beyond. For a balanced planet.

You can find out more about us on https://www.slb.com/who-we-are.

Location

Cambridge, England

At SLB Cambridge Research (SCR), we strike a balance between academia and industry with projects from early-stage research all the way to solution development for real business challenges.

SLB Cambridge Research (SCR) is part of SLB’s global network of research and engineering centers. SCR is a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art research and computing facilities. We work on applied research projects in the physical sciences to meet the current and future challenges of the industry.

SLB Cambridge Research is a distinctive marquee-like structure dominating the High Cross site on the western outskirts of Cambridge, England. This spectacular building was completed in 1985 and the smaller second phase was opened in 1992. It has recently been classified as a Grade II listed building. Altogether, there are more than 930 m2 of laboratory space and offices for more than 100 scientists, technicians, and domain experts.

Job Summary

To accelerate SLB's growth in the Energy Transition technology space, we are seeking a driven and creative post-doctoral scientist to join our Carbon Capture research programme focused on adsorption-based separations.

This role is primarily experimental, centred on the design and execution of laboratory studies to evaluate carbon capture sorbents and understand the fundamental mechanisms governing adsorption performance. The successful candidate will generate high-quality adsorption data, develop new testing methodologies, and investigate material performance under realistic process conditions. Experimental observations will be integrated with adsorption and process models to support technology optimisation and scale-up.

Passion for science, teamwork, and the desire to succeed are at the core of our programme. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for accelerating sorbent development from laboratory concepts to pilot and industrial scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute experimental programmes to evaluate adsorption materials for carbon capture applications.
• Operate and develop laboratory-scale adsorption systems to measure equilibrium capacity, adsorption kinetics, cyclic stability, and gas separation performance.
• Characterise sorbent materials using appropriate physicochemical techniques and correlate material properties with performance.
• Investigate adsorption mechanisms, transport phenomena, material degradation, and process limitations through experimental studies.
• Develop robust experimental methodologies, protocols, and data analysis workflows to support technology development.
• Analyse experimental data to extract kinetic, equilibrium, and transport parameters.
• Collaborate closely with materials scientists, process engineers, and business stakeholders to guide research priorities and technology development.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation, including invention disclosures, patents, and scientific publications.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Proven experimental experience in adsorption, gas separations, porous materials, or related field.
• Experience designing, executing, and troubleshooting laboratory-scale experimental programmes.
• Experience operating adsorption testing equipment and analysing experimental data.
• Experience in the characterisation of sorbent, membrane, or porous materials.
• Strong grounding in adsorption science, transport phenomena, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to use experimental data to develop physical insight and support technology development.
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills.

Desirable

• Experience developing or applying adsorption and process models for interpretation of experimental results.
• Exposure to carbon capture technologies and CO₂ separation processes.
• Knowledge of adsorbent and/or membrane materials for gas separations.
• Familiarity with process optimisation, uncertainty analysis, and techno-economic assessment.
• Experience contributing to patents, publications, or industrial technology development.
• Proficiency in modelling and programming tools such as Python, MATLAB, Aspen, gPROMS, or equivalent

What We Can Offer You

Competitive base salary, private healthcare for employee and family, subsidized dental care, Health & Wellbeing programs such as the Employee Mental health support, health & wellness coaching, part employer and employee funded pension contribution, Income protection scheme, life insurance.

Other benefits are also available through the SLB flexible benefits program.

SLB is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.

The recruiting process and the position can be adapted to fit most disabilities, please do not hesitate to mention this when applying.