Senior Researcher, Feedstock and Pretreatment

Are you our next creator of change?

Do you want to be part of creating solutions for mitigating climate change? At Neste, you will be working for the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. Together we will accelerate transformation for a more sustainable future.

We are looking for you,

Senior Researcher

to join our R&D team in Porvoo.

We are a team of experts working in the Feedstock and Pretreatment Research team in R&D. Our team is responsible for expansion of the raw material base and developing purification methods for production of renewable fuels. We are responsible for developing the NEXBTL technology platform through R&D projects to ensure our competitiveness in the future. Neste is the global leader in renewable products, and NEXBTL is our proprietary technology for production of hydrocarbons from renewable oils and fats for fuels. Are you the new team player we are looking for?

In this role, you will be managing or participating in different R&D projects, mostly related to renewable oils and fats feedstock pretreatment. Most often these projects concentrate on developing new technologies, processes and solutions for renewable feedstocks to support the refinery operations. Duties can vary from project management to analyzing laboratory results or building concepts and collaboration with engineering as well as duties related to business and capability development.


Reasons to join

Real impact right now. We create solutions for mitigating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. We live by our values every day; we care, we have courage, we cooperate.

Safety and caring. We value safety always and everywhere. We want our work to feel good and do good. At Neste, we nurture a culture where everyone is welcome and feels safe, respected and encouraged to be their unique true selves.

Exciting growth. Transformation brings new possibilities, fostering both courage and curiosity. As a global company, collaboration is the key, and we believe in flexible, smart ways of working. We support personal development with versatile learning and career opportunities.

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.

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.

More about the job

Your role in creating a sustainable future

• Participation and managing NEXBTL related R&D projects as a senior researcher and/or project manager.
• Being responsible for the project’s technical outcome
• Collaboration with engineering to transfer development projects to investment projects
• Planning of new development projects in collaboration with relevant program manager and other business stakeholders
• Supporting our business stakeholders in technical matters
• Actively participating in IPR creation and innovation work.

You will work closely with other researchers, program manager and business stakeholders to ensure our efforts are carried out properly and efficiently. You will report to your R&D Manager and relevant steering manager(s) in Porvoo and other stakeholders in Neste. 

The best combination to succeed in this role

• M.Sc. or higher degree related to chemistry (e.g., chemical engineering, process engineering, applied chemistry, biorefineries)
• At least 3 years experience from research and laboratory work
• At least 3 years of experience from Project Management duties in R&D environment 
• Knowledge of renewable feedstocks or catalytic processes
• Understanding of industrial process concepts
• Ability to understand details, but also to convert them into strategic and business items
• Excellent communication skills in English, including presentation and report writing

We Also Value

• Chemistry and reaction knowhow, preferably related to fats and oils
• Experience in IPR creation
• Proactive and systematic working style. 
• Influencing and decision making skills
• Ability to lead and coach people

• Excellent Self-Leadership Skills

• Networking and Partnering experience

Let’s get you started

We look forward to receiving your CV and application (with a salary request) by October 23rd, 2025.

If you have any questions regarding the process or the position, please get in touch with Joanna Johansson, R&D Manager, +358 50 514 79 00, on October 9th at 11-12 or October 14th at 13-14 EET.

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

The recruitment process will include interviews and a possible aptitude assessment. 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