Postdoctoral Fellow - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics inNanoporous Rocks (Shale)

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at Austin's Bureau of Economic Geology invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead laboratory investigations of fluid-fluid and fluid-rock interfaces in unconventional shale reservoirs. This 1-year, in-person position is based at the J.J.

Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. You will design HPHT experiments, analyze interfacial properties, and work with both industry and federal partners to advance EOR knowledge.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with PhD awarded within 3 years of hire.
• Extensive HPHT lab experience with CO2 and shale oil & gas systems.
• Proven ability to evaluate fluid-fluid and fluid-rock properties (wettability, IFT, surfactant chemistry).
• Excellent technical writing with publication record in top journals.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct HPHT injection experiments to assess CO2, gas, and chemical EOR performance.
• Quantify rock wettability, interfacial tension, and stability of complex suspensions.
• Develop and test multi-component injectants including CO2 co-solvents and foam systems.
• Collaborate with numerical modeling team to upscale laboratory findings and document workflows.

Skills

HPHT lab experience

CO2 & shale systems

Wettability & IFT

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Petroleum Engineering

PhD in Chemical/Geosciences

Geological/Geosciences PhD

Tools

WinProp

PVTi

Interfacial measurement tools

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics in Nanoporous Rocks (Shale)

Hiring Department:

Bureau of Economic Geology

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Aug 01, 2026

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2027

Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details:

General Notes

This is for a one-year, in-person position at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

About the Research Group:

The successful candidate will join an elite, fast-moving, and tightly integrated research cohort at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), UT Austin. We are a small but exceptionally strong team dedicated to pioneering innovative experimental and modeling techniques that bridge the gap between laboratory-scale physics and field-scale implementation. Our mission centers on developing next-generation solutions for energy security, efficiency, and sustainability.

This position is backed by robust, newly secured project funding. This position offers a premier opportunity for an ambitious researcher to publish high-impact science, develop highly sought-after expertise in complex subsurface fluid transport, and collaborate directly with leading industry and federal stakeholders. We provide a rigorous, supportive environment designed to launch successful careers in both advanced industrial R&D and academic leadership.

Purpose

The primary objective of this role is to lead innovative laboratory investigations into fluid-fluid/fluid-rock interface optimization within unconventional reservoir rocks. The role balances core DOE deliverables on fundamental huff-and-puff mechanisms and processes with exploratory research into advanced chemical systems (surfactants, co-solvents, foam conformance) and complex suspensions (nanoparticles/aqueous stability) designed to unlock uncontacted oil in shale systems.

Responsibilities

• Experimental Execution: Design and conduct advanced high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) injection, and microscale huff-and-puff experiments to evaluate CO2, gas, and chemical EOR performance.
• Interface & Fluid Characterization: Quantify rock wettability and alterations, interfacial tension (IFT), and the aqueous stability/rheology of complex surfactant-nanoparticle suspensions.
• Advanced EOR Development: Formulate, test, and optimize multi-component injectants, including CO2-co-solvent blends, surfactant co-injections, and foam systems for mobility and conformance control.
• Collaboration & Documentation: Document experimental workflows, author high-impact peer-reviewed publications, deliver technical presentations, and collaborate closely with numerical modeling team members to upscale laboratory findings.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering/Geosciences, Material Science, Interfacial Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience in an HPHT laboratory environment, specifically dealing with CO2 and shale oil and gas, high salinity brine, high-pressure pumps, and fluid handling.
• Proven expertise in evaluating fluid-fluid and fluid-rock properties (wettability, IFT, surfactant chemistry, or colloidal stability).
• Excellent technical writing skills with a verified track record of publication in top-tier journals.

PhD must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• PVT & Thermodynamic Modeling: Integrate laboratory observations with phase behavior modeling to characterize complex fluid mixtures and multi-phase behavior.
• Hands-on proficiency with PVT and thermodynamic phase behavior software (e.g., WinProp, PVTi) to match experimental fluid data.
• Demonstrated experience working with nanoparticles, colloidal suspensions, or advanced materials (specifically managing aqueous stability and transport in porous media).
• Experience with foam generation and foam rheology in porous media.

Salary Range

$65,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around chemicals
• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines
• Occasional travel intrastate, interstate and international
• Occasional fieldwork as necessary

Employment Eligibility: Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin uses E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and Clery Act. If this position is identified as a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.