Post-Doctoral Fellow, VERTEX

Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join VERTEX and contribute to one or more of our active research thrusts in advanced drilling modeling, wellbore integrity, and subsurface energy applications. This is a high-autonomy role designed for a researcher ready to lead their own work while collaborating closely with the PI, graduate students, and external partners.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the direction of ongoing projects, develop novel modeling frameworks, and contribute directly to the translation of research findings into practical tools for the energy industry.

This role offers significant exposure to field-relevant problems, real-world datasets, and the growing network of VERTEX's industry and institutional collaborators.

About the VERTEX Research Group

VERTEX (Visionary Energy Research in Technological Drilling & Exploration) is an interdisciplinary research group in the Petroleum Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines, led by Dr. Mohamed Shafik Khaled ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). Our mission is to advance the science and engineering of subsurface energy systems, spanning hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and space exploration, through rigorous research that bridges fundamental physics with data-driven innovation.

The group's research integrates scientific machine learning, experimental drilling mechanics, and subsurface characterization to bridge the gap between drilling engineering and geoscience, developing tools that are scientifically rigorous and operationally actionable, from real-time downhole temperature monitoring and intelligent fracture detection to wellbore integrity assessment and geothermal resource evaluation. We work closely with industry partners, national laboratories, and academic collaborators to ensure our models are validated against real-world data and built to perform under field conditions.

Primary Responsibilities

Research Leadership

* Lead and independently conduct research in advanced drilling modeling, with emphasis on physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), hybrid physics-data models, and agentic AI frameworks for real-time drilling decision support

* Evaluate wellbore integrity across legacy hydrocarbon assets and assess their technical and economic feasibility for repurposing as geothermal systems, CO₂ storage wells, or hydrogen storage facilities

* Develop and apply AI-assisted signal processing workflows (e.g., continuous wavelet transform) for automated fracture detection and formation characterization from drilling data

Scientific Communication & Collaboration

* Author and co-author of peer-reviewed journal articles; present findings at national and international conferences

* Develop and release software and reproducible analysis pipelines in support of the group's open-science principles

* Actively contribute to proposal development and help identify new funding opportunities aligned with VERTEX's research agenda

* Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, industry partners, and national laboratory researchers; represent VERTEX at external meetings and workshops

Mentorship & Lab Operations

* Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in research methods, scientific writing, and professional development

* Support the maintenance of a safe, productive, and inclusive laboratory environment

* Assist with manuscript preparation, data management, and the development of shared laboratory workflows and documentation

Qualifications

Required

* Ph.D. in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, geosciences, computer science, or a closely related field (degree must be conferred before the start date)

* Demonstrated research expertise in at least two of the following: drilling engineering, subsurface modeling, wellbore integrity, rock mechanics, or formation evaluation

* Strong programming proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB; experience with scientific computing, data analysis pipelines, or numerical modeling

* Peer-reviewed publication record demonstrating the ability to conduct and communicate independent research

* Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

* Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team environment

Preferred

* Experience with agentic AI, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), machine learning for physical systems, or other hybrid modeling approaches

* Familiarity with wellbore integrity analysis, cement evaluation, or casing integrity modeling

* Background in geothermal energy development, CO₂ geological storage (CCUS), or energy transition applications of subsurface engineering

* Experience with signal processing techniques (e.g., wavelet transforms, spectral analysis) applied to drilling or subsurface data

* Prior experience mentoring students or contributing to collaborative, multi-institutional research projects

What We Offer

Joining VERTEX means…