
F1 Senior Trackside Researcher Job
- London
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Conduct chemical analysis (GC, FTIR) to verify FIA compliance of fuels and lubricants.
- Maintain chain-of-custody records and documentation for inspections.
- Interface with FIA technical delegates and team engineers during race weekends.
- Implement corrective actions and escalate significant compliance risks.
- Oversee fuel delivery, storage, sampling, and usage at events.
- Maintain contamination prevention protocols and batch traceability.
- Manage inventory and coordinate return freight of unused fluids.
- Use advanced analytical techniques (e.g., RDE-OES) to analyse wear metals, additive depletion, and contamination across lubricant products.
- Provide real-time data to race engineers and reliability teams.
- Identify early signs of component degradation and fluid breakdown.
- Build, commission, and operate the mobile fluid lab at events.
- Maintain, calibrate, and repair analytical instruments.
- Manage lab consumables and spare parts across the race calendar.
- Deliver concise, technically robust feedback to support race decisions.
- Respond to fluid-related technical queries (e.g., leak identification).
- Liaise with global R&D centres to enhance team reliability and performance.
- Represent technical expertise to FIA officials, partners, and VIP guests.
- Contribute to technical briefings and uphold Aramco's reputation for innovation.
- Plan and travel to up to 70% of F1 events, managing visas and logistics in coordination with the team.
- Verify product delivery and inventory on arrival; oversee secure storage and handling of race fluids.
- Build, commission, and operate the mobile laboratory in the paddock or garage.
- Conduct fuel sampling and GC analysis to ensure FIA compliance; manage fuel release procedures post-QC.
- Monitor fuel throughout the event for contamination risks and regulatory adherence.
- Interface with FIA officials to complete race event protocols.
- Confirm lubricant conformity to FIA homologation using FTIR analysis.
- Sample and analyse used fluids from engine, gearbox, and hydraulic systems to assess component health.
- Manage data storage, reporting, and trend analysis; communicate findings to reliability engineers.
- Track lab consumables and coordinate race freight needs with the logistics planner.
- Oversee return freight of fluids and mobile lab equipment post-event.
- Maintain and service lab equipment throughout the season, including ad-hoc repairs.
- Regular contact with the following companies and counterparts:
- Valvoline Global, Aston Martin Race Team, Honda Racing Corporation
- FIA technical delegates, external companies, freight forwarding partners, suppliers
- Occasional contact with the following counterparts:
- Toll blenders (fuels and lubricants), VIP guests and senior race team leaders within Aston Martin Race Team
- Regular contact with Aramco F1 Technology R&D team, F1 Lead Logistics Planner, trackside staff.
- Frequent contact with line management within Aramco Group.
- Occasional contact with Aramco Europe support functions (Finance, Law, IT, HR, Procurement, etc.) and senior leaders within the Aramco Group
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry or engineering, or equivalent experience in fuels/lubricants (ideally with F1 exposure).
- 8+ years in specialist fuels, lubricants, motorsports, or analytical roles.
- Experience working trackside in Formula One™ is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to manage projects independently and mentor junior colleagues.
- Advanced understanding of fuel/lubricant chemistry and FIA regulations.
- Proficiency in GC, FTIR, viscosity measurement, and contamination control.
- Strong data analysis and reporting skills (Excel, statistical tools).
- Experience with fuel lifecycle management and lab equipment maintenance.
- Ability to interpret technical data and support operational decisions.
- High attention to detail and ability to work under race event time constraints.