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

Job Details

• Job Posting
  
  Title:
  
  RESA III - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics in Nanoporous Rocks (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 Jun 29, 2027
• Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

This is a one-year, fixed-term, in-person position located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

The successful candidate will join an elite, fast-moving, and tightly integrated research cohort at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), UT Austin. Our mission centers on developing next-generation solutions for energy security, efficiency, and sustainability.

The primary objective of this role is to lead innovative laboratory investigations into fluid‑fluid/fluid‑rock interface optimization within unconventional reservoir rocks. The role balances core DOE deliverables on fundamental huff‑and‑puff mechanisms and processes with exploratory research into advanced chemical systems (surfactants, co‑solvents, foam conformance) and complex suspensions (nanoparticles/aqueous stability) designed to unlock uncontacted oil in shale systems.

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

MS in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering/Geosciences, Material Science, Interfacial Science, or a closely related discipline and at least 2 years’ experience. Extensive hands‑on experience in an HPHT laboratory environment, specifically dealing with CO2 and shale oil and gas, high salinity brine, high‑pressure pumps, and fluid handling. Proven expertise in evaluating fluid‑fluid and fluid‑rock properties (wettability, IFT, surfactant chemistry, or colloidal stability).

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

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

A PhD in the required disciplines is strongly preferred.
Integrate laboratory observations with phase behavior modeling to characterize complex fluid mixtures and multi‑phase behavior. Hands‑on proficiency with PVT and thermodynamic phase behavior software (e.g., Win Prop, PVTi) to match experimental fluid data. Demonstrated experience working with nanoparticles, colloidal suspensions, or advanced materials (specifically managing aqueous stability and transport in porous media). Experience with foam generation and foam rheology in porous media.

$72,000 - $76,000

• 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, international
• Occasional fieldwork as necessary

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

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the…