Postdoctoral Fellow - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport in Nanoporous Rocks

The University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow specializing in CO2 mobility and subsurface transport in nanoporous rocks. The position is based at the J.J.

Pickle Research Campus in North Austin, in‑person for one year, with 40 hours per week and an exempt status. The successful candidate will join BEG’s fast‑moving team, focusing on experimental and modeling efforts to bridge lab-scale physics and field-scale applications, with strong emphasis on publishing

Qualifications

• PhD in a geoscience or engineering discipline completed within 3 years.
• Experience with high‑pressure core experiments and petrophysical measurements.
• Strong data analysis and scripting in Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW.

Responsibilities

• Operate and modify gas expansion/liquid transient flow systems to measure CO2 mobility, permeability, 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.
• Collaborate with lab formulation team to translate fluid‑interface mechanics into numerical transport constraints and prepare technical frameworks for field‑scale pilot deployments.

Skills

High‑pressure core experiments

Petrophysical measurements

Fluid transport phenomena

Data analysis / scripting

Education

PhD in Petrophysics / Geosciences / related field

Tools

CMG GEM

ECLIPSE

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport in Nanoporous Rocks

Hiring Department: Bureau of Economic Geology

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Aug01, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Jul31, 2027

Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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

• Core Transport Experiments: Operate and modify advanced gas expansion/liquid transient flow systems to measure CO2 (gas and supercritical phase) mobility, effective permeability, molecular diffusion, and adsorption.
• Geomechanical & Stress Evaluation: Quantify rock‑fluid interactions and transport degradation under dynamic net confining stress environments to evaluate reservoir stress‑sensitivity.
• Compositional Reservoir Simulation: Upscale laboratory‑derived petrophysical, diffusion, relative permeability, and stress‑dependent parameters into compositional reservoir models to perform robust sensitivity and production forecast studies.
• Strategic Integration: 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

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 use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May2015. 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 TitleIX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under TitleIX 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,UTA2.206,Austin,Texas78701.

Comments and Inquiries

Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at (512)471‑4772, or toll‑free at (800)687‑4178.

Company Culture

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you're at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world‑changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

UT Austin is a Tobacco‑free Campus