RESA III - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport

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's Bureau of Economic Geology seeks a CO2 transport specialist to quantify mobility, diffusion, and adsorption in tight shale rocks, integrating laboratory experiments with modeling for field-scale insight.

The role emphasizes high-pressure core testing, data analysis, and scripting in Python/MATLAB to develop predictive reservoir simulations and drive interdisciplinary collaboration. Austin, TX-based, in-person position.

Qualifications

• MS in Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering, Geomechanics, Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, or related geosystems discipline and at least 2 years of experience.
• Strong capability in data analysis, scripting, or laboratory automation (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW).
• Experience with high-pressure core experiments and petrophysical measurements (effective permeability, porosity) or fluid transport phenomena.

Responsibilities

• Operate and modify gas expansion and liquid transient flow systems to measure CO2 mobility, permeability, diffusion, and adsorption.
• Quantify rock-fluid interactions and transport degradation under dynamic confining stress to assess stress-sensitivity.
• Upscale lab-derived parameters into compositional reservoir models for sensitivity studies and production forecasts.
• Collaborate with lab formulation teams to translate fluid-interface mechanics into numerical transport constraints.

Skills

Data analysis

Scripting

Lab automation

Education

MS in Petrophysics/Geomechanics/Petroleum Engineering/Geosciences or related geosystems

Job description

RESA III - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport

Overview

This position is a one‑year, fixed‑term, in‑person role located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. The successful candidate will join a small, highly integrated research cohort at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), University of Texas at Austin, tasked with pioneering innovative experimental and modeling techniques that bridge laboratory‑scale physics and field‑scale implementation.

Purpose

The primary objective of this role is to quantify and simulate the complex transport dynamics, mobility, and structural interactions of gases and fluids within tight, stressed reservoir matrices of shale rocks (unconventional reservoirs). The role combines rigorous laboratory operations—measuring effective permeability, diffusion, and adsorption in rock samples—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

MS in Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering, Geomechanics, Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, or a closely related geosystems discipline and at least 2 years of experience. 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).

Preferred Qualifications

A PhD in the required disciplines is strongly preferred. 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

$72,000 - $76,000 per year.

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes and standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation; requires manual dexterity.
• May require occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines.
• May involve intrastate, interstate, and international travel.
• May involve fieldwork as necessary.

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.