Postdoctoral Researcher (Computational Chemistry) in Cambridge

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.

Location: Cambridge, England

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.

Job Summary: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher in computational chemistry to develop molecular modeling and simulation approaches for energy, materials, and sustainability applications. The role will focus on accelerating chemical and materials discovery and translating molecular-level insight into practical engineering solutions. Application areas may include carbon capture with solvents and sorbents, membranes, catalysts, electrochemistry, and oilfield chemistry.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop molecular modeling workflows to study molecular interactions, reactivity, adsorption, solvation, and interfacial chemistry.
• Perform screening, property prediction, and formulation design for chemical and materials systems.
• Translate simulation results into actionable guidance for experimental scientists and engineers.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to connect molecular-scale insight with applied technology development.
• Contribute to patents, publications, reports, and scientific discussions.

What the Postdoctoral Researcher Will Gain:

• Experience applying computational chemistry to real-world energy and sustainability challenges.
• Exposure to discovery, modeling, validation, and engineering translation.
• Collaboration with experts across chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, data science, and energy technologies.
• Opportunities to engage with university and industry partners.
• A stronger research portfolio and professional network for careers in industry, academia, or applied research.

Essential Requirements:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in computational chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related physical science.
• Expertise in molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, force fields, and density functional theory (DFT).
• Experience with conductor-like screening model methods, including conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS), and quantitative structure-activity relationship models.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills.
• Ability to develop models, make assumptions explicit, and communicate results clearly.
• Publication record in reputable peer-reviewed journals.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with cheminformatics.
• Experience with machine-learned potentials, DFT-informed machine learning, or surrogate modeling.
• Knowledge of carbon capture, porous materials, membranes, electrochemistry, or oilfield chemical systems.
• Experience with high-performance computing and reproducible computational workflows.

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive base salary, private healthcare for employee and family, subsidised 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.