Postdoctoral Fellow, Center Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis, Cockrell School of E

Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis, Cockrell School of Engineering

• Hiring Department: Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis
• Position Open To: All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled
  
  Hours:
  
  40 hrs/week
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt
• Earliest
  
  Start Date:
  
  Immediately
• Position Duration:
  Expected to continue until April 15, 2027
• Location:
  
  PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a growing group of interdisciplinary experts in energy systems, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy policy within the Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis (CEESA). CEESA spans multiple engineering departments at UT Austin and routinely collaborates with stakeholders in government agencies, industry, and non‑profit organizations. This is a temporary training position that may be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years, based upon performance review, progress toward research goals, and continuation of funding.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research on developing physics‑informed models of the gas‑electric interconnection network with applications in voluntary carbon markets, risk assessments, and energy transition planning under the supervision of Dr. Arvind Ravikumar. Current gaps in modeling the flow of natural gas from production regions to power plants could unlock new applications such as traceability of carbon intensity, quantitative risk assessments associated with gas grid disruptions, and long‑term planning to repurpose pipelines to carry carbon dioxide or hydrogen.

The fellow will develop the model and illustrate its use across several application areas, initially focusing on the Southeast US before expanding to other regions.

• Model Development: Create a physics‑informed model of the integration of the natural gas pipeline system and electric power generation units in the US to probe interdependencies.
• Case Studies and Application Areas: Use the integration model to answer questions related to low‑emissions gas certification, risk assessments in the electric system, and repurposing pipelines to lower‑carbon solutions including CO₂ transport.
• Writing and Documentation: Lead peer‑reviewed manuscripts, white papers, and project reports summarizing research findings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Ph.D. in Energy System Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences or a closely related field received within the last three years.
• Demonstrated research experience in energy system modeling, greenhouse gas emission inventories, or engineering‑based risk assessment models.

• Experience communicating technical information to varied audiences in industry, government, and non‑profit organizations.
• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in research.
• Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other research staff and post‑doctoral scholars.

$63,573 + depending on qualifications

• Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation.
• Repetitive use of standard office equipment.
• Limited travel (2–3 trips per year to conferences and other meetings).

• CV that includes a full publication record.
• Letter of interest.
• Three work references with contact information; at least one reference from a supervisor.
• Up to two relevant publications (peer‑reviewed or pre‑prints).

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.

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against…