Postdoctoral Fellow - Advanced EOR Formulation and Interface Physics in Nanoporous Rocks; Shale

Postdoctoral Fellow – 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:

Aug 01, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2027

Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

This is for a one‑year, in‑person position at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

About the Research Group:
The successful candidate will join an elite, fast‑moving, and tightly integrated research cohort at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), 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.

Purpose:

To lead innovative laboratory investigations into fluid‑fluid/fluid‑rock interface optimization within unconventional reservoir rocks, balancing core DOE deliverables on fundamental huff‑and‑puff mechanisms and processes with exploratory research into advanced chemical systems and complex suspensions 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.

• PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geological Engineering/Geosciences, Material Science, Interfacial Science, or a closely related discipline.
• 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.

PhD must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.

• 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.

Salary Range: $65,000+ depending on qualifications

• 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 and international
• Occasional fieldwork as necessary

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.