RESA III - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics in Nanoporous Rocks (Shale)

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 72,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a highly skilled researcher for a 12‑month, in‑person RESA III role at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

The candidate will pursue HPHT experiments and advanced interfacial science to advance EOR methods in shale rocks, balancing DOE core deliverables with exploratory work. Requirements include an MS in a related field and 2+ years in HPHT labs, with strong writing ability and potential for a PhD.

Qualifications

• MS in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering/Geosciences, Material Science, Interfacial Science, or related field; 2+ years HPHT lab experience.
• Proven expertise in wettability, IFT, surfactant chemistry, or colloidal stability.
• Excellent technical writing with publications in top journals.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute HPHT injection and microscale huff‑and‑puff experiments to evaluate CO₂, gas, and chemical EOR performance.
• Quantify rock wettability, interfacial tension, and aqueous stability/rheology of surfactant–nanoparticle suspensions.
• Formulate and optimize multi‑component injectants for mobility and conformance control.
• Document workflows, publish results, and collaborate with numerical modeling team to upscale findings.

Skills

Wettability & IFT expertise

Technical writing

Education

MS in Petroleum/Geosciences/related field

PhD preferred

Tools

WinProp

PVTi

Job description

Job Title

RESA III - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics in Nanoporous Rocks (Shale)

Department

Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), University of Texas at Austin

Position Summary

This 12‑month, full‑time, in‑person research position is located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. The successful candidate will join an elite, fast‑moving cohort dedicated to pioneering experimental and modeling techniques that bridge laboratory‑scale physics and field‑scale implementation. The role focuses on advancing fluid‑fluid and fluid‑rock interface optimization in unconventional reservoir rocks, balancing DOE core deliverables with exploratory research into advanced chemical systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute high‑pressure, high‑temperature (HPHT) injection and microscale huff‑and‑puff experiments to evaluate CO₂, gas, and chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) performance.
• Quantify rock wettability, interfacial tension (IFT), and aqueous stability/rheology of complex surfactant‑nanoparticle suspensions.
• Formulate, test, and optimize multi‑component injectants (CO₂‑co‑solvent blends, surfactant co‑injections, foam systems) for mobility and conformance control.
• Document experimental workflows, author peer‑reviewed publications, deliver technical presentations, and collaborate with numerical modeling team members to upscale laboratory findings.

Required Qualifications

• MS in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering/Geosciences, Material Science, Interfacial Science, or a closely related discipline, with at least 2 years’ experience in an HPHT laboratory handling CO₂ and shale oil/gas, high‑salinity brine, high‑pressure pumps, and fluid handling.

• Proven expertise in evaluating wettability, IFT, surfactant chemistry, or colloidal stability.

• Excellent technical writing skills with a verified track record of publication in top‑tier journals.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in one of the required disciplines (strongly preferred).

• Experience integrating laboratory observations with phase‑behavior modeling (PVT/thermodynamic software such as WinProp, PVTi).

• Demonstrated work with nanoparticles, colloidal suspensions, or advanced materials managing aqueous stability and transport in porous media.

• Experience with foam generation and foam rheology in porous media.

Compensation

Salary Range: $72,000 – $76,000

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes and 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 contact information
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility and Benefits

• Eligible for hiring based on the applicable University‑Wide or Open Recruiting policies.

• Retirement plan: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), requiring at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

• Criminal history background check required for finalists under consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that complies with all applicable federal and state laws. We do 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.

Pay Transparency Policy

This institution will not discriminate based on inquiries about pay. Disclosure is restricted to formal complaints, investigations, or when legally permitted.

E‑Verify

All new hires are checked using E‑Verify. The university’s company ID number is 854197.