Drilling & Geothermal R&D Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. The role centers on UT-RAPID IAP research in ultra-deep geothermal wells and HPHT oil and gas systems, under the supervision of Dr.

Eric van Oort. You will publish in peer-reviewed venues, present at conferences, and mentor graduate students while pursuing new funding opportunities to advance drilling automation

Qualifications

• PhD degree received within the last three years with focus on HPHT oil & gas and geothermal wells.
• Proven expertise in computational mechanics and numerical modeling methods (e.g., FEA, multi-body dynamics).
• Proficiency in hybrid physics-based and data-driven architectures to resolve complex fluid dynamics in deep wells.
• Excellent understanding of drilling automation systems and modern control theories for autonomous well construction.
• Proficiency in Python or C++, and using ANSYS; proven software development experience.
• Background in well engineering with drilling data processing and geopmechanics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven publication record with at least 10 manuscripts in peer-reviewed venues.
• Experience presenting R&D work at major oil & gas and geothermal conferences.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research in well construction and drilling science for UT-RAPID IAP.
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences and RAPID sponsor events.
• (Co-)supervise graduate and undergraduate students.
• Assist in securing funding for UT-RAPID IAP activities.
• Propose new research areas based on sponsor needs and industry gaps.
• Help shape the UT-RAPID IAP's future vision including carbon storage and hydrogen exploration.

Skills

Computational mechanics

Numerical modeling

Drilling automation

Python/C++ programming

ANSYS

Software development

Well engineering

Communication skills

Publications

Presentation skills

R&D project management

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

ANSYS

Python

C++

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. The role centers on UT-RAPID IAP research in ultra-deep geothermal wells and HPHT oil and gas systems, under the supervision of Dr.

Eric van Oort. You will publish in peer-reviewed venues, present at conferences, and mentor graduate students while pursuing new funding opportunities to advance drilling automation