Summer Internship – Upstream R&D – Imaging Geophysics 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.

Our internships

Make an impact on cutting-edge projects. Help find solutions to complex challenges. Be part of a company that invests in you and your growth. You can do it all as an intern at bp. Our 11-week summer programme gives you the opportunity to build your technical knowledge, develop key skills and learn more about life at bp. You'll be part of one team throughout your internship, supported by a dedicated line manager and buddy. There’ll be opportunities to connect with other interns, take part in training and grow your network across the business.

Role and responsibilities

We are looking for a motivated and curious geophysics summer intern to join bp’s Imaging R&D team in solving complex subsurface imaging challenges.  Together we form an integral part of bp’s Upstream R&D group in Technology, which comprises expert geologists, reservoir engineers, petrophysicists, as well as geophysicists.  Collaboration on integrated research and development, technology deployment, and specialist technical services is delivered through focused squads.  We work on pressing business needs across bp: from resource access and renewal, through resource development to production and long-term subsurface monitoring.

Working with our Imaging R&D team and high-performance computing centre, you could help address tough subsurface challenges through advanced seismic processing, imaging and characterisation using bp’s dedicated supercomputing resources.

The precise nature of your role will be defined by your skills and research experience as well as the needs of the business, although your responsibilities could include: 

• Delivering high-quality and high-impact seismic imaging research and solutions, in close partnership with bp’s asset teams and business groups.
• Developing and deploying computationally demanding computer codes and workflows for geophysical data processing, modelling, inversion, and analysis, as an individual contributor and/or as part of a flexible and often self-organizing squad.
• Working collaboratively with both computational scientists in bp’s Centre for High-Performance Computing, other imaging specialists and geophysicists.

As part of bp, you will also be able to take part in additional activities outside of your role, whether it be supporting local community initiatives, our bp business resource groups, and you are given the encouragement and time to participate. 

In addition, demonstrable numerical skills would be advantageous for any geoscience candidate applying for a role in bp. Specifically, proficiency with analysis methods to interrogate large datasets for geophysical insight and applying high-level languages for fast prototyping such as Python and development environments like Jupyter. 

We are particularly interested in PhD candidates conducting research in relevant areas, for example:

• Time-series analysis, data processing and imaging, and signal and noise separation
• Inverse problems, optimization theory, signal/image processing and statistics
• Probabilistic methods of inversion and subsurface characterisation
• Numerical simulation of wave phenomena and wave equations in realistic media, coupling with deformation and/or fluid-flow modelling
• Blended acquisition, deblending, novel signal reconstruction and sparse inversion
• Active and passive methods for subsurface monitoring and surveillance
• Geophysical acquisition techniques, survey design and operations

If you have a curious mind, aptitude for solving complex problems, and openness to learn and adapt then you should apply.

Requirements

To apply for this role, you should:

• Be currently undertaking a PhD in Geophysics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics or a closely related discipline, following completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2:1 classification or equivalent.
• Ideally you will have approximately 9 to 18 months remaining until your expected PhD completion date at the start of the internship, but candidates closer to completion might be considered dependent on circumstances.
• Have research experience relevant to areas such as seismic processing, imaging, numerical methods, algorithms, wave propagation, subsurface modelling and geophysical acquisition.
• Be available to complete the full internship programme from 21 June to 3 September 2027.

You should also have strong spoken and written English language skills, including the ability to communicate technical information clearly. 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

Start & end dates

Monday 21 June 2027 to Friday 3 September 2027

Please note: Our internships are full-time. If you will struggle to be available for these dates and/or may not be able to work full time, please flag this if you are invited to a technical interview, or earlier if possible.

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.

• 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 work policy (3 days in the office) for most office-based roles. This may vary for non-office-based roles.

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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

Salary:  £38,700 per annum, prorated for the duration of your internship.

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, Data Analysis, Depletion and Storage Development Planning, Depositional framework, Fluid Properties, Geodesy and coordinate integrity, Geohazard Assessment, Geological Reservoir and Storage Unit Modelling, Geophysical surveillance, Integrated Resource Progression, Integrated Well Delivery, Non-seismic geophysical methods, Petroleum Systems Analysis, Petrophysical Seismic Lithology and Fluid Prediction, Petrophysical Seismic Reservoir Characterisation, Research and Development, Reserves Estimation and Storage Volume Assessment, Reservoir quality, Resource, Rock Properties Framework, Seismic Acquisition, Seismic Analysis, Seismic Processing {+ 7 more}

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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.