Increasing Oil Production in Unconventional Reservoirs

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 97,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Pittsburgh, PA, seeks a post-doctoral researcher through ORISE to advance oil recovery in unconventional formations. The project combines lab experiments at high pressure with modeling, data analysis, and manuscript publication under the supervision of Angela Goodman.

The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, data-driven modeling, and dissemination of results via journals and conferences with opportunities to interact with top scientists in energy

Qualifications

• PhD is preferred in Petroleum Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with high pressure, high temperature vessels is desirable.
• Proficiency in Python or similar data analysis tools is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on lab experience simulating subsurface conditions at high pressure and temperature.
• Apply experimental data to modeling efforts and reservoir simulations.
• Contribute to manuscripts and conference presentations; publish results.
• Attend and present at conferences and collaborate with other researchers.
• Network with DOE and industry partners to advance oil and gas research.
• Work under mentorship within NETL's Research Innovation Center.

Skills

Python

Data processing

Visualization

Results interpretation

Education

PhD in Petroleum Engineering

Doctoral degree in related field

Tools

NMR

XRD

Job description

Organization
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)Reference Code
NETL-Postdoc-2026-GoodmanHow To ApplyA complete application consists of:

• An application, including academic history, work history experiences, and honors/awards
• Description of your goals, related experience, and related skills – refer to NETL’s Core Competencies and ongoing projects when applicable
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations You must provide contact information for at least two recommenders in your application. The first two recommendations received will be attached to your application for review by NETL. You may click the "send" (paper airplane) button to send the recommendation request email immediately after entering their information prior to submitting your application; if not, a request will automatically be sent when you submit your application. Your recommenders will receive an email with a subject line of "[Your Name] - ORISE Recommendation Request - [your email]", from [e-mail]. This email will include information on the opportunity to which you have applied, as well as a secure link to submit a recommendation for you for this application. If you ask the same person to submit a recommendation for you for multiple applications in Zintellect, they must click the unique link in each email request, but will be given the opportunity to copy over what they had previously submitted.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation. If you have questions before, during, or after you submit an application, you may reach out to [e-mail] TipsNETL values a combination of academic success, experience, and leadership potential as demonstrated in all aspects of your application. NETL’s goal is to create, maintain, and support a diverse environment that encourages creative ideas and leadership. In the words of former Lab Director Brian Anderson, "our differences make us stronger and we’re united in fostering inclusivity in all aspects of our research to drive innovation and deliver solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future." In your application, show us who you are!
To increase your chances of being selected for an appointment, we recommend:

• Tailoring your responses to align with the project. What parts of the project are most interesting to you?
• Spending sufficient time on your essay responses and your resume. Give yourself time to review your writing!
• Ensuring that everything you submit is grammatically correct and clearly expressed.

Application Deadline10/31/2026 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time ZoneDescriptionThe National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL’s) record of success has been built on understanding the future of energy and the technologies required to make that future possible. We’ve long touted our success in developing the technologies that took on acid rain in the 1970s and mercury in the early 2000s.Program GoalsThe NETL Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program (Postdoc) is a high-intensity program designed to identify recent Doctoral graduates of high promise and to foster advanced skill development. It allows the postdoc to systematically outline career goals and helps provide the means of achieving these goals. NETL principal investigators and leads serve as mentors to postdoctoral participants during the program. This interaction affords the postdoc a unique opportunity to develop critical skills needed to become an independent professional.
The program goals include providing the opportunity to participants to:

• Develop skills and knowledge in their field of study
• Engage with new areas of basic and applied research
• Network with world-class scientists
• Exchange ideas and skills with the Laboratory community
• Use state-of-the-art equipment
• Contribute to answers for today’s pressing scientific questions
• Collaborate with the broader scientific and technical communities

Project DetailsThrough the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), this posting seeks a post-Doctoral researcher to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in the area of enhancing recovery under the mentorship of Angela Goodman. This project will be hosted on-site at the NETL Pittsburgh, PA campus.
Oil recovery in unconventional formations is challenging due to the extremely low permeability and mixed wettability of shale that prevents oil from flowing naturally. Primary recovery through hydraulic fracturing with water of unconventional formations typically recovers between 3 and 10% of oil in place, leaving most oil behind. Production decreases significantly within the first year and requires drilling of new wells or secondary recovery approaches
The overall project goal is to improve oil recovery after primary recovery by further injection of water and/or nonaqueous fluids such as rich natural gas and carbon dioxide with or without additives such as surfactants. Improving oil recovery can promote affordable, reliable, and secure energy. Research will focus on rock characterization, fluid characterization, wetting properties, inter-facial tension, oil recovery, and oil quantification with subsurface rocks at elevated temperatures and pressures. Rock characterization will involve nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) Scanning, X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineral analysis, porosity measurements, and absolute permeability measurements. Fluid Characterization will involve Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) measurements, characterizing additives such as surfactants, optimizing additives, quantifying stability and reactivity of additives, and quantifying oil chemistry. Wetting measurements will involve measuring both contact angle and inter-facial tension of reservoir fluids such as shale, brine, oil, carbon dioxide, rich-natural gas, methane, and additives. Oil recovery quantification will include high pressure and temperature laboratory flow tests with rock cores. The participant will also engage with reservoir modeling team to link lab results to predictive reservoir models.
Through this project, the participant will learn about hands on lab experience, modeling, and presenting and publishing results. The participant will: (1) gain hands-on lab experience simulating subsurface conditions with high pressure and temperature equipment; (2) apply experimental data into models; (3) contribute to peer-reviewed journal submissions; (4) attend and present at conferences; (5) network with leading scientists in the oil and gas field; and (6) collaborate with other researchers on DOE’s broader goals to enable secure, efficient, and low-impact oil and gas systems through integrated research aligned with DOE priorities and industrial needs.StipendPost-Doctoral stipend is $8126 per month.Program RequirementsTo document the effectiveness of the program, participants are required to submit a pre-appointment and post-appointment survey, as well as a reflection on their appointment experience when they renew or end their appointment. The reflection should summarize their project(s), additional activities, and overall experience. Details are provided as the appointment end date approaches.
Participants may also have the opportunity to contribute to manuscripts, journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, posters, patents, and other publications as a part of their appointment. Such achievements should also be reported to ORISE; additional details are provided after an offer has been accepted.
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory system, is owned and operated by the DOE. NETL supports the DOE mission to advance the energy security of the United States. This is an educational opportunity offered by NETL and administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Participants in the program are not considered employees of NETL, DOE, the program administrator, or any other office or agency.QualificationsA PhD preferably in Petroleum Engineering or a related field.
Prior knowledge or experience with high pressure, high temperature experimental reaction vessels and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is desirable.
Proficiency in Python or similar tools for data processing, visualization, and interpreting complex experimental results.To Be Eligible, You Must Eitherhave received a Doctoral degree within the last five years or be currently enrolled in a Doctoral degree program and complete the degree prior to the appointment start date.Point of ContactJordanEligibility RequirementsCitizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
Discipline(s):

• Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
• Analytical Chemistry
• Bio-inorganic Chemistry
• Bio-organic Chemistry
• Biophysical Chemistry
• Chemistry (General)
• Environmental Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Sciences
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry

AffirmationI certify that I attend or attended a regionally accredited college or university and:

• Have an earned a Doctoral degree no more than five years before the date of application.
• Will receive a Doctoral degree by the appointment start date