Research Associate in Collation and Synthesizing of PACESET

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society at Heriot Watt University is seeking an exceptional postdoctoral research associate to collate, summarize and synthesize the research outcomes of research projects and PhD projects funded by PETRONAS through the PETRONAS Centre of Excellence in Subsurface Engineering and Energy Transition (PACESET) during the period 2021 to 2026, and to identify the impacts for PETRONAS, wider industry and society at large.  

The position is placed in PACESET.  It entails, in the first place, taking already collated project data, identifying gaps, engaging with the various project Principal Investigators and their Coinvestigators and research colleagues, and PhD supervisors, with the objective of ensuring as much useful data as possible is retained and accessible to PETRONAS from within a central repository. 

The second step will be to develop a consistent inventory of these data, and to write up a summary of each project’s activities and achievements.  

Thirdly, the post holder will seek to identify impacts of the projects.  This will entail some data collation activities, such as building a repository of reports and publications.  Furthermore, there will be an action to engage with PETRONAS personnel to identify how project outcomes have been used within PETRONAS to effect change in their operations, and to identify what technology maturation has resulted.  The post holder will also address how the wider industry has been impacted by these projects, by seeking to identify the extent to which PACESET related publications and theses have been cited in the literature, and what activities reported in the citing literature are impacted by the research carried out through PACESET. 

Fourthly, PACESET has resulted in training of personnel: PETRONAS staff who have gained PhDs and are now undertaking research functions within PETRONAS, and Heriot-Watt University Early Career Researchers who, over the 44 post-doctoral researcher years of funding, have developed research skills and have been exposed to industry applications in partnership with PETRONAS.  The post holder will develop a narrative to describe the impact of PACESET on career development of associated personnel. 

Finally, the post holder will engage with PETRONAS and Heriot-Watt University personnel to identify what impact case studies can be developed from these projects, for use by PETRONAS internally, and by Heriot-Watt University in building their Research Evaluation Framework submission. 

While there are tasks that entail data collation, repository building and interacting with other researchers to achieve these objectives – which tasks of themselves do not require the post holder to have gained a PhD – the postholder evidently must be familiar with all the essential components of performing a research study, which knowledge can only be gained by firsthand experience – through personal study towards a PhD degree. 

Furthermore, research itself is a primary function of the role, as the post holder is required to develop a synthesis of all the projects developed under PACESET, and conduct a meta study to develop a new perspective on the overall impact of PACESET 

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following:  

• →Build on existing work to collate data from all PACESET projects and PhD projects  
• →Quantify and summarise each project’s individual outcomes 
• →Engage with PETRONAS personnel to identify project impacts and technology maturation 
• →Summarise each project’s individual outcomes 
• →Synthesize information and develop a narrative on overall impact of PACESET 
• →Derive findings and recommendations for development of future industry-academia Master Research Agreements 
• →Present results to industry and academic stakeholders  
• →Where appropriate, publication of findings 

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. A flexible working schedule may be required to meet all key duties and responsibilities.  

We will measure applicants based on the essential criteria, not by the key duties.  

• An undergraduate or MSc degree in Geoscience, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering or similar.  
• A PhD degree (or being close to obtaining one) in GeoEnergy Engineering.  

• Experience in conducting independent research  
• Experience in working towards tight deadlines  
• Experience working in industry 
• Experience undertaking academic research funded by and reported to industrial funders 
• Team spirit and experience in collaborating within interdisciplinary and multi-national teams  
• A developing track record of publications  

• Expert knowledge in geoscience  
• Expert knowledge in Energy Transition topics related to the subsurface, such as Geothermal Energy and/or CCS and/or underground hydrogen generation and storage 
• Experience working in a Geoscience / Petroleum Engineering laboratory  
• Experience applying Petroleum Engineering techniques to Energy Transition topics 
• Experience working in a broad multidisciplinary environment with petroleum engineers, geoscientists, chemical scientists, chemistry and mechanical technicians and project administrators 

Candidates can make informal enquiries about this position to Prof Eric Mackay (E.J.Mackay@hw.ac.uk)  

Please submit your application via the Heriot-Watt recruitment system.  

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Thursday 20th August 2026.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . 

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. 

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. 

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry. 

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.