Research Operations Lead

Entity:

Technology

Job Family Group:

Research & Technology Group

Job Description:

At bp, we provide an excellent working environment and employee benefits such as an open and inclusive culture, a great work-life balance, tremendous learning and development opportunities to craft your career path, life and health insurance, medical care package and many others.

Who we are

Fuels & Low Carbon Technology (F&LCT) is a global organization of more than 300 technologists, scientists, and engineers who develop pioneering solutions across bp’s Fuels, Refining, Bioenergy, and Hydrogen businesses. The organization also supports bp’s wider Technology function through innovation management, modelling, digital science, and academic research partnerships—providing the scientific and engineering foundation that enables bp’s low carbon and operational ambitions.

Within F&LCT, the Bioenergy & Hydrogen Technology (B&HT) team focuses on creating and scaling technologies that unlock bp’s low carbon growth. The team advances pathways across bioenergy, biogas, SAF, hydrogen, and novel feedstocks, while working closely with bp businesses to ensure solutions meet real operational and commercial needs. B&HT plays a central role in shaping bp’s technology direction for today’s energy needs as well as the energy transition by driving innovation from early-stage concepts through deployment ready solutions.

Job Purpose and primary objectives:

The Research Operations Lead is responsible for shaping and managing the research operations team. The lead will oversee the daily activities, safety compliance, and maintenance of reactor systems. The manager will drive productivity by leveraging automated systems, contributing to the bp strategic framework across fuels (including biofuels), SAF, biogas, feedstocks, hydrogen, oil and gas, and cross cutting low carbon initiatives.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Physical Sciences.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivery of safe and compliant experimental operations and support of an HSSE culture.
• Operational leadership, managing daily lab operations, including scheduling, resource allocation, and maintenance of equipment.
• Develop, manage, and deliver the Team’s annual programme according to resources and priorities.
• Effective team management and ensuring a healthy talent pipeline to meet current and future business needs.
• Performance management, including efficient technology project management, reliable experimental operations, and the capture of intellectual property.
• Work closely with business technology colleagues to appraise new process / product options, identify fundamental needs in analytical chemistry and deliver/transfer results and insights to meet these needs.
• Management, as required, of relevant third-party relationships.

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:

• 8+ years of professional experience, including several years of operational or supervisory experience at a pilot plant, industrial, or production environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or equivalent experience.
• A record of strong leadership, hands-on mechanical competence, proficiency in chemical processes, and high attention to safety (HSSE).
• Proven ability to manage changing priorities, strong organisational skills, and effective communication across R&D.
• Management of operating expenses and continuous improvement of operations (efficiency, effectiveness and capability).
• Experience in leading, mentoring and developing people in a technical function.

Desirable criteria and qualifications:

• Experience with digital and AI tools in lab/plant operations.
• Management of third-party collaborations.

Other

• Travel – up to 10%.

About bp

Our purpose is to deliver energy to the world, today and tomorrow. For over 100 years, bp has focused on discovering, developing, and producing oil and gas in the nations where we operate. We are one of the few companies globally that can provide governments and customers with an integrated energy offering. Delivering our strategy sustainably is fundamental to achieving our ambition to be a net zero company by 2050 or sooner!

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Additional Information

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Even though the job is advertised as full time, please contact the hiring manager or the recruiter as flexible working arrangements may be considered.

We support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and challenging environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to crafting an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly.

There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are meaningful, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, collaboration spaces in a modern office environment, and many others benefits.

Travel Requirement

Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is eligible for relocation within country

Remote Type:

This position is not available for remote working

Skills:

HSSE, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Lab Maintenance, Lab Testing Equipment, Operations Research, Research and Development

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.
If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.