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

Job Posting

Title:

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

Bureau of Economic Geology

All Applicants

40

Exempt from FLSA

Aug 01, 2026

Expected to Continue Until Jul 31, 2027

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

This is for a one-year, in-person position 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. 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.

This position is backed by robust, newly secured project funding. This position offers a premier opportunity for an ambitious researcher to publish high-impact science, develop highly sought-after expertise in complex subsurface fluid transport, and collaborate directly with leading industry and federal stakeholders. We provide a rigorous, supportive environment designed to launch successful careers in both advanced industrial R&D and academic leadership.

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.

• Experimental Execution:
  Design and conduct advanced high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) injection, and microscale huff-and-puff experiments to evaluate CO2, gas, and chemical EOR performance.
• Interface & Fluid Characterization:
  Quantify rock wettability and alterations, interfacial tension (IFT), and the aqueous stability/rheology of complex surfactant-nanoparticle suspensions.
• Advanced EOR Development:
  Formulate, test, and optimize multi-component injectants, including CO2-co-solvent blends, surfactant co-injections, and foam systems for mobility and conformance control.
• Collaboration & Documentation:
  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.

• PVT & Thermodynamic Modeling:
  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.

$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

Employment Eligibility:
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this…