Senior Plant Biologist at bp San Diego, CA

Senior Plant Biologist – San Diego, CA

Join us in creating, growing, and delivering innovation to reimagine energy for people and our planet. The Technology team develops, and scales low‑carbon technologies needed to meet the world’s energy demand whilst simultaneously decarbonising bp’s operations and products.

The Fuels and Low Carbon Technology (F&LCT) is a team of over 300 technologists, scientists and engineers who provide pioneering solutions to support bp’s Fuels, Refining, Bioenergy and Hydrogen businesses. The Bioenergy & Hydrogen Technology team (B&HT) brings together scientists and engineers dedicated to delivering low‑carbon energy solutions aligned with bp’s strategy. The team works across many bp businesses supporting areas such as novel feed stocks, biofuels, advanced biofuels, and hydrogen.

The opportunity is for a Senior Plant Biologist who will act as a technical expert in feed stocks, feedstock decomposition/deconstruction, and collaborate closely with B&HT teams and other bp businesses on bioenergy projects. The successful candidate will provide technical expertise to support scientific and technology projects to investigate and implement feedstock insights and solutions in the bioenergy space. The post holder will support projects involving feedstock conversion to bioenergy products and serve as an interface between bio‑feedstock production opportunities and conversion strategies.

• As the SME for feedstock composition to conversion, apply technical expertise and know’how to identify opportunities and guide priority feedstock selection and downstream deconstruction process development.
• Work closely with enzyme development and bioanalytical teams in experimental design and results interpretation to inform feedstock selection and conversion process development to improve efficiency.
• Evaluate feedstock potential for upgrading (based on cost, quantity, quality, agronomic performance, biomass recalcitrance, etc.).
• Support economic and sustainability evaluations for a range of feedstock options in the production of bioenergy.
• Provide technical expertise through:
  • Knowledge of plant biology, plant physiology, and/or structural biology.
  • Experience in approaches to assess biomass quality traits and improved conversion efficiency, including pre‑treatments, enzymatic hydrolysis, pyrolysis, and biological decomposition.
  • Knowledge in environmental conditions, genetic x environment interactions, and crop management strategies that affect compositional traits in bioenergy crops.
  • Experience in feedstock composition and/or biological mechanisms that regulate important plant processes and impact desired growth and development.
  • Assist with plant sample sourcing, testing and selection.
  • Understanding of growing climate threats such as drought events or adverse precipitation patterns, decreases in biodiversity and loss of fertile soils on the future of bio‑feed stocks.
  • Support technology strategy and roadmap directions to B&HT research and innovation programs on bio‑feed stocks to ensure alignment with bp’s strategy.
  • Collaborate with other teams in bp including Applied Sciences Technology, Trading & Shipping, Customers & Products, Gas & Low Carbon Energy, Strategy, Sustainability & Ventures, and Production & Operations.

• MA/MS/PhD in Plant Biology, Botany, Plant Genetics, Agronomy, Agriculture or related field with 5+ years of experience (or bachelor’s with relevant experience).
• In‑depth knowledge of bio‑feed stocks and plant physiology, including experience with conversion technologies or low‑carbon product innovation and understanding of the interdependence of feedstock production and its utilisation.
• Outstanding interdisciplinary problem solving and critical thinking skills, with a passion for scientific innovation and low‑carbon technology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with technical and non‑technical collaborators.
• Experience and ability to work efficiently in a multi‑tasking, fast‑paced, and matrix environment, with skills in prioritising, delivery and being…