Lead Researcher

Company Description

Veolia Group is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia Group designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation. Within this framework, Veolia's Water Technology Business brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world's most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy.

Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.

We are seeking a Phase Separation Researcher to join our Hydrocarbon Processing Industry (HPI) Technology team at our Tomball, TX research facility. This role is crucial in developing innovative treatment programs and supporting our customers for hydrocarbon processing applications, focusing on phase separation during the processing of petroleum and renewable feed stocks and products.

• Perform chemical bench work at Veolia facilities and customer sites
• Research, develop, and commercialize innovative treatment programs for Hydrocarbon Processing applications
• Develop and apply methods and simulations on lab scale that correlate with full-scale applications
• Assess and validate market needs through direct interactions with customers and internal teams
• Translate customer requirements into unique technology solutions
• Contribute to idea generation, conduct experiments, and review results
• Provide technical product support and non‑routine problem solving
• Synthesize and present complex technical data and findings to internal and external customers
• Leverage data management platforms and AI/ML tools to accelerate research workflows
• Participate effectively in Environmental, Health and Safety and Quality Assurance programs
• Travel up to 20% of the time for customer interactions and on‑site work

• Masters in Chemistry or Engineering, OR Bachelors degree in a related field with a minimum of 5 years of research experience
• Demonstrated expertise in demulsification, emulsion science, surfactants, or interfacial science
• Proficiency with standard data analysis, presentation, and office productivity software (Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets)
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

• PhD in Chemistry or Engineering
• Expertise in polymers, colloids, and wet chemistry
• Knowledge of high throughput combinatorial research methods
• Experience leveraging data management platforms, statistical tools, and AI/ML models to accelerate research workflows
• Familiarity with scripting/programming languages (Python, R) for data processing and/or specialized modeling/simulation software
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent problem‑solving abilities, with capacity to implement major changes
• Self‑motivated professional with a strong drive for results and a track record of setting and meeting aggressive goals
• An adaptable approach that embraces change and technological evolution

• Drive Innovation and Impact:
  Work on cutting‑edge solutions for the energy industry, gain global exposure, and make a significant environmental impact as we pursue ecological transformation.
• Collaborative Culture:
  Join a collaborative environment with a diverse team of expert scientists and engineers.
• Career Advancement:
  Access to career growth opportunities within a leading multinational corporation.
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
  Veolia champions diversity and inclusion, recognizing that diverse teams make smarter decisions and deliver better results.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Starting Day 1!
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Plan – 3% default contribution plus matching
• Flexible Spending & Health Saving Accounts
• AD&D Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

VEOLIA will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.