Graduate – Subsurface Technology - Geology PhD - UK

Entity:

Technology

Job Family Group:

Business Support Group, Subsurface Group

Job Description:

About bp 

bp operates at the heart of the global energy system, helping countries meet their energy needs and serving millions of customers every day. With world-class assets, technology, trading capability and partnerships, we deliver energy at scale today while investing with discipline in the energy transition.  

One Subsurface early careers programme 

Curiosity uncovers what others can't see. Through the One Subsurface early careers programme, you'll apply science, data and technical expertise to understand the resources beneath the surface and help shape how energy is delivered to the world. 

Why Subsurface technology at bp? 

• Experience subsurface technology through structured rotations and projects. 

• Apply science, data and technical expertise to real business challenges. 

• Learn from experienced specialists and dedicated mentors who support your development. 

• Join a global network built on collaboration, curiosity and continuous learning. 

As part of the One Subsurface programme, you’ll complete two or three rotations designed to give you breadth of experience across Subsurface Technology while supporting you to build technical depth. Whether you're analysing data, interpreting the subsurface or helping solve complex technical challenges, you'll gain real-world experience that helps turn academic knowledge into practical expertise. 

Join us and you’ll get the support of a structured technical pathway and our training programme, designed to help you grow both professionally and personally. In return, you'll bring your ideas, curiosity and ambition to real business challenges. Along the way, you'll be part of a supportive bp early careers community that will help you grow, succeed and make a meaningful impact from day one. 

Role and responsibilities 

bp’s Technology Upstream R&D group develops and deploys innovative technologies that support safer, faster and more reliable operations across bp’s portfolio. 

As a graduate geologist in our Subsurface & Wells group, you’ll combine your geological knowledge with data science capabilities, including Python, machine learning, high-performance computing, AI and analytics. You’ll contribute to projects that transform subsurface ways of working and deliver value across bp’s businesses. 

The precise nature of your role and projects will depend on your skills and business needs. Your responsibilities may include: 

• Work with regional teams around the world, combining geoscience and data science methods to develop innovative solutions to complex subsurface challenges. 

• Develop and deploy Python code to accelerate subsurface workflows and improve predictability by broadening the characterisation of geological uncertainty. 

• Automate and parallelise subsurface workflows using bp’s high-performance computing capabilities. 

• Provide technical support to colleagues using deployed technology solutions. 

 

Requirements 

To apply for this role, you must be in the final year of, or have completed, a PhD in Geology, Earth Science or a closely related geoscience discipline. You must also hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum classification of 2:1 or equivalent. 

You'll also have 

· Experience of coding in Python, or demonstrated programming experience in another language, such as MATLAB or C++, with the ability to learn Python. 

· Passion for creating innovative technology solutions 

Desirable skills and experience: 

The following are advantageous but can be developed through training and on-the-job experience. 

· Familiarity using AI techniques (such as coding agents) 

· Familiarity with using Jupyter notebooks. 

· Experience with code management tools such as Git for version control 

· Skills in data analytics and statistical analysis 

· Skills in machine learning or automation 

· Familiarity with working in a Linux environment 

 

You are also expected to have strong spoken and written English language skills, including business and technical English.  Language skills will be assessed throughout the recruitment process. 

Please note: We value individuals who take initiative, are committed to excellence, and can adapt positively to change and challenges in a supportive environment.   

Location 

This role will be based at the following UK office: 

Sunbury* – ICBT (International Centre for Business & Technology), Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex, TW16 7LN  

*From Q4 2027 – Q1 2028, roles based at Sunbury and St James’s Square will move to Timber Square (Ink Building, 25 Lavington Street, London, SE1 0NZ). Individual move dates will vary by role and will be shared nearer the time. 

Start date 

Monday 6 September 2027 

Other information 

Please note the following when applying: 

• You can only apply to one bp early careers opportunity globally per academic year – within this time, we will only process the first application you make. You will be withdrawn from any subsequent applications.  

• We recruit on a rolling basis – this means roles may close once positions are filled or we have enough applications. If you’re interested in a role, we strongly recommend applying as soon as possible while applications remain open. 

• Exploration Days are a key part of the assessment process and will be in person – bp will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs, in line with the travel policy which will be shared with you. Please ensure you will be available to attend in person.  

• Unless you apply to a role with a location explicitly stated, role locations are not guaranteed – where not stated, you will be placed in a location based on business need. 

• Accommodation – once confirmed, where you need or decide to move closer to your location, you are responsible for organising and funding this accommodation. 

• Hybrid working – please note, bp operates a 60:40 hybrid working policy for most office-based roles, normally requiring three days per week in the office. 

 

Adjustments 

We are keen to make our recruitment process accessible to all. If you require any adjustments/accommodations, to any stage of the recruitment process, please mention this in the allocated section on your initial application form. Someone will then be in touch to discuss or confirm the adjustments/accommodations as appropriate for you. Alternatively, if you would like to discuss adjustments before applying, please get in touch: 

https://careers.bp.com/contact-us 

Reward 

Starting salary: £43,000 per annum, plus a discretionary, performance-related annual bonus. 

Sign-on bonus: £5,000 one-off payment, subject to tax and National Insurance. 

Holiday allowance: 28 days, flexible bank holidays and two wellbeing or duvet days. 

Wellbeing allowance: Claim up to £1,500 each calendar year, subject to tax and National Insurance, for products and services that support physical, mental, financial and social wellbeing. 

Private Medical Insurance: We’ll pay for private healthcare, and you only pay an income tax charge. 

bp share plans: You can choose to take part in our share plan and buy bp shares every month. 

Travel Requirement

No travel is expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Skills:

Basin resource evaluation, Basin resource evaluation, CO2 utilisation and storage, Core acquisition and analysis, Cost-conscious decision-making, Data acquisition strategy, Data Management, Depositional framework, Fluid Properties, Fluid sampling and analysis, Geodesy and coordinate integrity, Geohazard Assessment, Geomechanical analysis, Integrated Well Delivery, Operations Geology, Petroleum Systems Analysis, Petrophysical Dynamic Reservoir Description, Petrophysical Seismic Lithology and Fluid Prediction, Petrophysical Static Reservoir Description, PPFG detection, Research and Development, Reservoir geomechanics, Reservoir quality, Seismic Interpretation, Seismic stratigraphic interpretation {+ 6 more}

.

Future Location Notice:  This role will start in Sunbury, London. bp has announced a planned office move to Timber Square, London, with all positions currently advertised in Sunbury, including this one, expected to relocate around Q4 2027-Q1 2028. This presents an exciting opportunity for all employees and leaders to come together in one London location. The specific date of the move will be confirmed closer to the time.

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.