8/8/2019 Downstream Research Engineer
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Total is a global oil and gas producer and supplier operating in
130 countries with nearly 100,000 employees, who practise
theirskills in more than 500 industrial, commercial and support
occupations covering all aspects of the petroleum industry: oil
andnatural gas exploration and production, renewable energy
development, refining, distribution and trading. Total is also a
majorplayer in chemicals.To further its development, the Group
annually recruits worldwide nearly 10,000 new employees, both male
and female, juniorsand seniors, at all levels of training. All are
different, but share the dynamism, receptiveness, adaptability and
team spirit thatare key to the Group's success.
Careers
DownstreamResearch Engineer m/fIn transforming crude oil into
petroleum products, Total must be as efficient as possible. It
achieves this through
its research in refining: careful analyses of its products,
improvements to the transformation processes, new
products that meet market requirements, and a determination to
stay at the leading edge of science and
technology.
Downstream Research Engineers have two main duties which require
constant synthesis: Always staying in close touch with the current
industrial activities of the Group, which requires continuous
contact with the exploitation departments, the operational
divisions, customers, government research,
professional associations, public authorities and standards
organisations;
Anticipating future requirements, which are dictated mainly by
technological or regulatory developments.
This research, conducted under a variety of projects, requires
researchers to be innovative and scientifically
rigorous. It consists of work which is consistent with the
strategy of the Group, and at the same time meets
stringent profitability criteria.
> First steps
After serving as a member of a research team, a junior engineer
starts in a laboratory where he or she will be
taught the specific methods used in research. Then the
researcher, supported by a team of technicians, is given
responsibility for different projects, which he or she sees
through to completion.
> Career options
If an Engineer wishes to specialise in research, he or she can
move to a position as leader of a research group,
or become a specialist in a particular field. The opportunity
also exists to move on to other functions such as
refinery process engineering, or to exploitation, sales
engineering or strategy.
> Profile required
Engineering School graduate with a specialisation such as ENSPM
or Doctorate in Science.
Curiosity, creativity, capacity for team work and team
leadership, analytical skills.
Fluent English.
8/8/2019 Downstream Research Engineer
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Photocredits:DufourMarcoandPatrick
Boulen.
Experiences
Lela V.Nationality: Algerian Age: 29
Downstream Research Engineer Based in Gonfreville
lOrcher (France)
Doctorate in Chemical Engineering, ENS de Chimie de Lille,
University of Science and Technology of Lille and the Centre
for
International Industrial Property Studies (CEIPI)
Before even joining Total, I already felt part of the family
because I didmy thesis in the Group's chemical branch. Thereafter,
it seemed naturalthat I should apply to join the Total group.
A dynamic induction
I was recruited as a Research Engineer to work in the Industrial
PropertyDepartment. The department's work is crucial for the Group
because theaim is to protect and increase the value of Total's
know-how. Thedepartment is represented in the three research
centres of the Group andat headquarters where our management is
located. There is a centre inSolaize (near Lyon), another in Feluy,
Belgium, and the third at GonfrevillelOrcher in Normandy where I am
based at present. My induction tookplace over several months. It
began with a period at headquarters tofamiliarise me with the
Group. Then I was sent to each of the two otherresearch centres
before taking up the post I now occupy.
Closely involved in innovationAt present, as an Industrial
Property Engineer, I am engaged mainly onthree types of
work.Firstly, I am in charge of writing patent applications and the
proceduresrequired to lodge them and obtain patents. This part of
my work is themost interesting because I see innovation materialise
within the Group.Then I carry out patentability studies to
establish the existence of threeconditions: novelty, inventive
activity and industrial application. Afterapplications have been
submitted, I am in constant contact with thenational and regional
Industrial Property offices, such as the NationalInstitute of
Industrial Property (INPI) and the European Patent Office(EPO),
until the patent certificates are issued.The second area of my work
relates to the freedom-of-use studiesrequired before an innovation
can be implemented, to check whether it iscovered by an existing
patent. I search currently valid patents andexamine them. This work
also enables us to determine how much roomfor manoeuvre we have
technically on innovations related with existing
patents.Finally, I have a role as advisor to researchers. For
example, they consultme when they want to publish a technical paper
and they submit theirproject to me. I ensure that they are not
disclosing any knowledge thatshould be protected.This work with
researchers is an important part of my activities. I wouldnot have
had these contacts in an Industrial Property Agency where Iwould be
dealing with patent applications out of context. Here, I amgiven a
strategy and I get to work on projects. I have the opportunity
tocontinue in research and also to develop the results obtained.I
find it extremely rewarding to help others protect their
innovations.
Nicolas R.Nationality: French Age: 29
Based in Solaize (France)
Doctorate in Chemical Engineering
My introduction to the Group came as a result of my thesis on
theupstream side of petroleum products. I did a post-doctorate at
theResearch Centre of Gonfreville lOrcher in the Refining &
Marketingbranch, then I was accepted for a post in analytical
chemistry.
From basic research to applied research
At present, I lead a team of five chemistry technicians in the
AnalysisDepartment of the Research Centre at Solaize. We work on
productsunder development, which are often secret: new lubricants,
tomorrow'sfuels
Our analysis activity is diversified:
Analysis of products developed by other researchers at the
centre tointernational standards.
Development of new methods of analysis to meet the
futurerequirements of our customers and to analyse their future
products.
Utilisation and evaluation of the latest analysis equipment:
massspectrometers, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
Technical assistance for the European refineries beyond the
routineanalyses usually carried out on site (e.g. analysis of
deposits in units).
Expert analytical reports (law suits, malfunctions, Formula
1assistance).
Defining new standards
I also participate in national and international standards
committees.These committees prepare new standards to meet analysis
requirementsassociated with new regulations and the new products we
develop (biofuels in particular).These developments have a
significant impact on our strategy. Indeed,
new standards have a direct effect on production and the
technicalspecifications on which it is based.The type of work I do
is very rewarding and I feel fully involved in theresearch carried
out by the Group.
Recruitment, Careers & Diversity Division
2, place Jean Millier La Dfense 6 92400 Courbevoie
Francewww.careers.total.com
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