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University of Texas at Austin
RESA III - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport
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What they do
A Geophysicist applies knowledge of geology and physics to finding mineral resources and petroleum reservoirs, mitigating natural hazards, finding archeological relics, and assessing sites for environmental remediation. Usually skilled in data management and analysis using tools such as Python, MATLAB and GIS.
$105,490 / year median in Texas
+8% projected growth
Job Description
RESA III
- CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport University of Texas at Austin
- 4.2 Austin, TX Job Details Full-time $72,000
- $76,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Retirement plan Qualifications Hydraulic fracturing
Full Job Description Job Posting Title:
RESA III
- CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport
Hiring Department:
Bureau of Economic GeologyPosition Open To:
All ApplicantsWeekly Scheduled Hours:
40FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSAEarliest Start Date:
ImmediatelyPosition Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Jun 29, 2027
Location:
PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS
•Job Details:
General Notes 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. 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 Purpose The primary objective of this role is to quantify and simulate the complex transport dynamics, mobility, and structural interactions of gases and fluids confined within tight, stressed reservoir matrices of shale rocks (unconventional reservoirs). This role combines rigorous laboratory operations (measuring effective permeability, diffusion, and adsorption) in rock samples with nano-Darcy permeability with analytical or numerical modeling to investigate how dynamic stress-sensitivity governs macro-scale reservoir performance.Responsibilities Core Transport Experiments:
Operate and modify advanced gas expansion/liquid transient flow systems to measure CO2 (gas and supercritical phase) mobility, effective permeability, molecular diffusion, and adsorption.Geomechanical & Stress Evaluation:
Quantify rock-fluid interactions and transport degradation under dynamic net confining stress environments to evaluate reservoir stress-sensitivity.Compositional Reservoir Simulation:
Upscale laboratory-derived petrophysical, diffusion, relative permeability, and stress-dependent parameters into compositional reservoir models to perform robust sensitivity and production forecast studies.Strategic Integration:
Work closely with the lab formulation team to translate fluid-interface mechanics into numerical transport constraints, preparing technical frameworks for upcoming field-scale pilot deployments. Required Qualifications MS in Petrophysics, Petroleum Engineering, Geomechanics, Chemical Engineering, Geosciences, or a closely related geosystems discipline and at least 2 years experience. Proven experimental expertise in high-pressure core experiments, petrophysical measurements (effective permeability, porosity), or fluid transport phenomena. Deep fundamental understanding of fluid transport mechanisms in tight/unconventional formations (diffusion, adsorption, Darcy vs. non-Darcy flow). Strong capability in data analysis, scripting, or laboratory automation (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW). Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications A PhD in the required disciplines is strongly preferred. Extensive proficiency with commercial compositional reservoir simulators (e.g., CMGGEM, ECLIPSE
) and a proven track record of history-matching laboratory core-floods. Experience or strong fundamental training in Geomechanics (stress-strain relationships, fracture conductivity, or rock mechanics). Experience utilizing digital rock physics, image analysis, or CT scanning to evaluate multi-phase flow displacement. Salary Range $72,000- $76,000 Working Conditions May work around chemical fumes May work around standard office conditions May work around chemicals 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 Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications.
Employment Eligibility:
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.Retirement Plan Eligibility:
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.Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
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.•Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.•Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]