Researcher / Senior Researcher, Catalysis

Are you our next creator of change?

Are you looking for a career in an inspiring, global environment where your expertise makes a difference? At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Together we can help our customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

We are looking for you,

Researcher / Senior Researcher, Catalysis

to join our Catalysis and Process Concept Research team at the Porvoo Technology Center, Finland.

In our team, and as part of the Catalyst & Refining department, you will work alongside experts in the product and technology development projects for Neste corporate strategic growth. In addition you will work in expert service projects to provide technical support to our production unit in the Catalyst related questions. You will also be responsible for maintaining and developing the core competence in the Catalysis and Process Concept Research team. Based on your preferences you’ll get a possibility to grow in your expertise area or develop as a leader in technology project management.

This position involves close collaboration with internal stakeholders, including experts from the Technology & Innovation function (researchers, operators, project/program managers) and refinery personnel across all Neste sites, as well as external stakeholders such as catalyst vendors. Catalysis is one of the key capabilities in the development of sustainable and innovative technologies. Together with your expertise, we can do meaningful work to drive Neste forward.

The job is located in Kilpilahti, Porvoo, which is about 30 minutes by car from the center of Helsinki. We organize free bus transportation to Kilpilahti for our employees from the capital region, Porvoo and the nearby areas. We work regularly at least three days a week at the office to ensure seamless collaboration and sense of belonging.

Reasons to join

We operate in an inspiring and evolving business environment as a global leader in renewable fuels. We contribute to Neste’s success by living our values every day: we care, we have courage, we cooperate.

We prioritize safety at all times and in every location. We strive to create a positive and impactful work environment.

Transformation brings new possibilities and fosters our courage and curiosity. As a global  company, we support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities. Collaboration is key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working.

In addition, our benefits for employees in Finland include, for example, a personnel fund as part of the overall remuneration, good occupational health care, and an extensive membership in a sickness or health insurance fund. We also support leisure time activities, e.g. by offering benefits for sports and culture.

More about the job

Your role in our team

• Providing expertise in Catalysis in the product and technology development projects, identify catalytic routes and catalysts needed to produce high quality products for reactions of fossil, renewable, waste or residue feeds. As a senior researcher, you may also work as a leading researcher of a project.

• Planning and supervising laboratory work and laboratory scale testing in autoclaves or continuous flow reactors.

• Supporting Neste’s production units in Catalysts related questions and attending troubleshooting cases and Catalysts changeovers at Porvoo refinery and other production units.

• Documenting, reporting and presenting key results, findings and providing expert recommendations.

• Acting responsibly according to Neste safety culture: interfering unsafe actions and reporting deviations.

• Being active in the innovation processes of Neste

The best combination to succeed in this role

• At least a Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, higher degree in Catalysis is highly appreciated

• For Senior Researcher position several years working experience in addition to the PhD degree 

• Deep understanding of Catalysis and Heterogeneous Catalysts and understanding of catalyst characterisation. The deep understanding can be for example a PhD to develop new catalysts or studying a relationship between catalyst properties and performance, or similar working experience in research or industry.   

• Earlier experience in autoclave or continuous laboratory scale catalyst activity testing.

• Good communication, influencing and collaboration skills with full professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written

• Innovative mindset and experience in IPR creation

• Good self leadership skills being able to deliver results and learn new, desire for personal development

• Responsible attitude and safety-oriented mindset

Other strengths we value

• Earlier experience as a project manager

• Willingness to work occasionally, a few days or weeks in a year, in 12-hour day or night shifts during the catalyst changeover of a catalytic unit

• Driving licence for a car
  
  

Let’s get you started

We look forward to receiving your CV and application letter (with a salary request) by February 17th 2026.

If you have any questions regarding the process or the position, please get in touch with Elina Harlin, Manager, Catalysis and Process Concept Research +358 50 458 7393, on February 5th at 1 - 3 pm (EET) or on February 12th at 12 - 2 pm (EET).

Due to security and confidentiality, please submit your application through our recruitment system. Applications sent via email will not be considered.

We will do our best to contact you within 3 weeks after the application time has ended. The recruitment process will include interviews and a possible aptitude assessment. The first interviews are preliminarily scheduled to take place on weeks 10-11. The person selected for the position must pass a health examination including a drug test. A possible security clearance is obtained with your consent.

Neste in brief

Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates solutions for mitigating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. The company is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, enabling its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Neste refines waste, residues and other renewable raw materials to high-quality renewable fuels at its refineries located on three continents. The company’s annual renewable fuels production capacity will be increased to 6.8 million tons in 2027.

Neste has high standards for sustainability and the company has consistently been recognized by several leading sustainability indices. In 2024, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 20.6 billion. Read more: neste.com

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