Postdoctoral Fellow - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport in Nanoporous Rocks

Phase2 Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Job summary

Phase2 Technology is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow for an in-person role in Austin focused on CO2 mobility and subsurface transport in nanoporous rocks. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in a relevant field and experience in high-pressure core experiments.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work on innovative projects in energy security and efficiency, contributing to groundbreaking research at the Bureau of Economic Geology.

Qualifications

• PhD must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.
• Proven experimental expertise in high-pressure core experiments.
• Deep understanding of fluid transport mechanisms in unconventional formations.

Responsibilities

• Operate advanced flow systems to measure CO₂ mobility and effective permeability.
• Quantify rock-fluid interactions under dynamic net confining stress.
• Upscale laboratory parameters into compositional reservoir models.

Skills

Experimental expertise

Data analysis

Scripting (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW)

Fundamental understanding of fluid transport

High-pressure core experiments

Education

PhD in Petrophysics or related field

Tools

Reservoir simulators (CMG GEM, ECLIPSE)

Digital rock physics

CT scanning

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport in Nanoporous Rocks

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Hiring Department:

Bureau of Economic Geology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Aug 01, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2027

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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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), Jackson School of Geosciences, 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 quantify and simulate the complex transport dynamics, mobility, and structural interactions of gases and fluids confined within tight, stressed reservoir matrices of shale rocks (unconventional reservoirs). This role combines rigorous laboratory operations (measuring effective permeability, diffusion, and adsorption) in rock samples with nano‑Darcy permeability with analytical or numerical modeling to investigate how dynamic stress‑sensitivity governs macro‑scale reservoir performance.

Responsibilities

• Operate and modify advanced gas expansion/liquid transient flow systems to measure CO₂ (gas and supercritical phase) mobility, effective permeability, molecular diffusion, and adsorption.
• Quantify rock‑fluid interactions and transport degradation under dynamic net confining stress environments to evaluate reservoir stress‑sensitivity.
• Upscale laboratory‑derived petrophysical, diffusion, relative permeability, and stress‑dependent parameters into compositional reservoir models to perform robust sensitivity and production forecast studies.
• Work closely with the lab formulation team to translate fluid‑interface mechanics into numerical transport constraints, preparing technical frameworks for upcoming field‑scale pilot deployments.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering, Geomechanics, Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, or a closely related geosystems discipline.
• Proven experimental expertise in high‑pressure core experiments, petrophysical measurements (effective permeability, porosity), or fluid transport phenomena.
• Deep fundamental understanding of fluid transport mechanisms in tight/unconventional formations (diffusion, adsorption, Darcy vs. non‑Darcy flow).
• Strong capability in data analysis, scripting, or laboratory automation (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW).

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive proficiency with commercial compositional reservoir simulators (e.g., CMG GEM, ECLIPSE) and a proven track record of history‑matching laboratory core‑floods.
• Experience or strong fundamental training in Geomechanics (stress‑strain relationships, fracture conductivity, or rock mechanics).
• Experience utilizing digital rock physics, image analysis, or CT scanning to evaluate multi‑phase flow displacement.

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

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

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.