Entity:

Technology

Job Family Group:

Business Support Group, Research & Technology Group

Job Description:

Early Careers at bp

Looking to turn your career dreams into global impact? Explore graduate opportunities with bp. Here you get to work on challenging projects, learn from experts and mentors, and be part of a high-performing team from the get-go. You get the freedom to think boldly, the licence to innovate and the chance to grow in multiple directions. And you get supported, recognised and rewarded along the way.

Our Internships

You’ll be based in one team throughout your internship, working on real projects that you’ll be able to manage through to completion. Throughout you’ll have the support of a dedicated line manager and a buddy from one of our early careers programs. Alongside your day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll have the opportunity to attend events and socials with other interns, take part in training sessions to help develop your interpersonal skills and network with leaders from across bp. The program is designed to help build your skills and technical knowledge whilst also allowing you to learn more about life at bp.

Role and Responsibilities

Within Technology, Applied Sciences, is a centralised scientific resource focussed on driving bp’s transition into an efficient, profitable, net zero company. Applied sciences is the home for bp’s scientists; our deep expertise is built on a foundation of world-class laboratory experimentation. Applied sciences is integrated with our customer groups, providing differentiated bp fuels & Castrol products to meet market needs.

Applied sciences leads the longer-term technology agenda, identifying emerging trends and innovating to develop energy pathways and platforms (e.g. innovative low carbon and bio process solutions) that will provide the future pipeline for our net zero transition.

The New Product Science team supports the Castrol business, providing research insights into future product needs and solutions for sustainable mobility, wind energy and manufacturing. It delivers strategic understanding, deep expertise, and embryonic product and services concepts to inform and support product development functions and the business.

The successful candidate will work as part of the team supporting key strategic projects within the research portfolio. This will include support and coaching from experienced team members while also offering the opportunity to lead specific workstreams with growing autonomy throughout the internship.

Current research topics include:

• Understanding the challenges faced by lubricants in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) as electric range extends, in terms of both tribology, efficiency optimisation and chemical degradation of the oil. This includes test work conducted on Vehicles, Chassis Dynos, Engine test, Friction rigs and laboratory bench tests.
• Understanding the challenges faced by lubricants in engines designed to run on future low carbon energy vectors such as Hydrogen or Ammonia and how to optimise future lubricant formulations for these engine types.
• Cross-functional projects pursuing sustainable lubricant base oils, such as re-refined base stocks for circularity or technology to manufacture base oils derived from waste and/or biogenic feedstocks.

Requirements

Master’s required - To apply for this role, you will ideally need to be in your penultimate (second to last) year of study or in your final year of an undergraduate degree but planning to do a Master’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive or Aeronautical engineering or Chemistry, Physics, or Material Science and on track for a 2:1.

We will also consider candidates with 2 further years of study following the placement year.

We support our engineering graduates to get professional accreditation and become chartered engineers. Therefore, it’s essential that your degree is accredited to MEng (or equivalent) level.

To find out if your degree is accredited, please visit the links below. If you don’t find your degree within the links and know it is accredited, then please continue to submit your application and we can confirm this for you.

UK DEGREES ACCREDITED BY THE ENGINEERING COUNCIL

INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING ALLIANCE

[only relevant for engineering subjects]

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 is likely to be based out of one the following UK office:

Bp Pangbourne - Pangbourne Technology Centre, Whitchurch Hill, Pangbourne, Reading, RG8 7QR

Start & End Dates

22nd June 2026 to 21st June 2027

Please note: Our internships are full-time. If you will struggle to be available for these dates &/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.
• 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 on 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.

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:

T: +44 1635 584149

E: enquiry@bpgraduates.co.uk

Reward

Salary: 35,200 per annum

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:

Agility core practices, Agility core practices, Analytical Thinking, Artificial intelligence, Creating new methodologies, Experimental Design, Formulated product testing, Formulation Deployment, Formulation design, Influencing, Intellectual Asset Management, Multi-physics modelling, Presenting, Product Development, Product Sustainability Performance Management, Project Management, Raw materials knowledge, Research and Development, Rheology, Safety management across the value chain, Science and Technology Leadership, Scientific publication, Technology Management Processes, Testing electric vehicle charging systems, Thought Leadership {+ 2 more}

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, 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.