Postdoctoral Fellow - Relative Permiability in Shale

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

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Relative Permeability in Shale at the Bureau of Economic Geology. The role focuses on quantifying multiphase flow and gas-condensate permeability in unconventional reservoirs, combining lab experiments with analytical and numerical modeling.

Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and strong experience in high-pressure core tests, petrophysical measurements, and data-driven analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in a geosystems discipline with relevant research.
• Proven experimental expertise in high-pressure core experiments and petrophysical measurements.
• Strong understanding of fluid transport in tight/unconventional formations.
• Experience with data analysis, scripting, or laboratory automation.

Responsibilities

• Multiphase Transport Experiments: operate and improve gas-expansion and liquid-transient systems to measure permeability and relative permeability.
• Capillary Pressure & Saturation: quantify relationships in nano-Darcy shale.
• Fracture–Matrix Interactions: study transport between propped fractures and shale matrix.
• Data Analysis & Modeling: develop models to interpret measurements and relate pressure, saturation and permeability.

Skills

Experimental expertise

Core experiments

Petrophysical measurements

Data analysis

Scripting

Laboratory automation

Education

PhD in Petrophysics / Geomechanics / Petroleum Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Geosciences

Tools

CMG GEM

ECLIPSE

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow - Relative Permiability in Shale

Hiring Department

Bureau of Economic Geology

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027

Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes

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 newly secured industrial 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 researchers. We provide a rigorous, supportive environment designed to launch successful careers in both advanced industrial R&D and academic leadership.

Postdoctoral Fellow positions are for one year, and are renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward research goals.

Purpose

The primary objective of this role is to quantify multiphase flow and gas-condensate relative permeability in unconventional reservoirs and evaluate their impact on production. The position combines advanced laboratory experiments to characterize effective permeability, relative permeability, capillary pressure, and fluid saturation in nano-Darcy shale rocks and propped fractures, with analytical and numerical modeling to interpret multiphase transport and evaluate optimal drawdown strategies for improved production. In addition to the core project objectives, the researcher will have opportunities to develop new experimental approaches for challenging measurements of capillary pressure and to investigate fracture-matrix interactions in multiphase flow.

Responsibilities

• Multiphase Transport Experiments: Operate, develop, and modify advanced gas-expansion and liquid-transient flow systems to measure effective permeability, gas-liquid relative permeability, fluid saturations, and multiphase transport properties in shale samples.
• Capillary Pressure & Saturation: Develop and implement innovative experimental and analytical approaches to quantify capillary pressure and saturation relationships in extremely low-permeability shale, addressing the experimental challenges associated with nano-Darcy flow and multiphase systems.
• Fracture–Matrix Interactions: Investigate multiphase transport between propped fractures and the shale matrix, including fracture permeability, gas-liquid relative permeability, fluid exchange, and the role of fracture–matrix interactions in production.
• Data Analysis & Modeling: Develop analytical and numerical models to interpret laboratory measurements, quantify the controlling mechanisms of multiphase transport, and establish relationships among pressure, saturation, capillary pressure, and relative permeability.

Required Qualifications

PhD in Petrophysics, Geomechanics, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, or a closely related geosystems discipline. Proven experimental expertise in high-pressure core experiments, petrophysical measurements (effective permeability, relative permeability, capillary pressure, porosity), or fluid transport phenomena. Deep fundamental understanding of fluid transport mechanisms in tight/unconventional formations (Darcy vs. non-Darcy flow, counter-current 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 coupled geomechanics-fluid flow simulation. 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

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around chemicals
• 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, international
• Occasional fieldwork as necessary

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information
• Letter of interest

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 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 a campus security authority (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 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.