EOR Research Lead: Interface Physics in Shale

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology seeks a scientist for a one-year, fixed-term, in-person position at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

The role advances lab investigations into fluid–fluid and fluid–rock interfaces in unconventional reservoirs, aligning DOE deliverables with exploratory chemical systems. The successful candidate will lead HPHT experiments, quantify wettability/IFT, and collaborate with a modeling team to upscale lab findings for

Qualifications

• MS degree in a relevant engineering or geoscience field and 2+ years in HPHT lab.
• Hands-on experience with CO2 and shale oil in HPHT settings.
• Experience evaluating wettability, IFT, and colloidal stability.
• Strong technical writing with publications.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct advanced HPHT injection and microscale huff‑and‑puff experiments to evaluate CO2, gas, and chemical EOR performance.
• Quantify rock wettability, interfacial tension (IFT), and the aqueous stability/rheology of complex surfactant‑nanoparticle suspensions.
• Formulate, test, and optimize multi‑component injectants, including CO2‑co‑solvent blends and foam systems.
• Document experimental workflows, publish findings, and collaborate with numerical modeling teams to upscale results.

Skills

HPHT laboratory experience

CO2 and shale oil handling

Wettability & IFT analysis

Surfactant chemistry

Colloidal stability management

Technical writing

Education

MS in Petroleum Engineering or related field

Tools

WinProp

PVTi

Job description

The University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology seeks a scientist for a one-year, fixed-term, in-person position at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

The role advances lab investigations into fluid–fluid and fluid–rock interfaces in unconventional reservoirs, aligning DOE deliverables with exploratory chemical systems. The successful candidate will lead HPHT experiments, quantify wettability/IFT, and collaborate with a modeling team to upscale lab findings for