Job Opportunities

Research Staff

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

ID: R_00047074

Purpose:

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.

Functions:

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.

To learn more or to apply for this position, click here. Please note that there are separate job boards depending on if you are a UT employee or not. It is imperative that you apply to the correct board. Once you have accessed the correct job board, you can either search for the position using either the title of the position or the job code. For instructions on how to apply through the correct job board, click here.

RESA III - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport

ID: R_00047073

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.

Functions:

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.

Postdoctoral Fellow - CO2 Mobility and Subsurface Transport in Nanoporous Rocks

ID: R_00046883

Purpose:

Functions:

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.

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

ID: R_00046881

Purpose:

Functions:

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.

Research Professor - STARR PI

ID: 183021

Purpose:

The State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery (STARR) program is seeking a new Principal Investigator to lead the program, coordinate subprojects, manage research personnel including postdocs and students, and design and conduct original research on topics relevant to the economic development of energy and environmental resources within the State of Texas.

The State of Texas Advanced Resource Recovery (STARR) program is funded by the State of Texas and is part of the Bureau of Economic Geology at the Jackson School of Geosciences. The mission of STARR is to conduct geoscience and engineering research to increase the production and profitability of earth resources, including oil, natural gas, hydrogen, geothermal, and minerals within the State of Texas. The program also aims to encourage responsible economic development, support education, and promote environmental stewardship.

In this position the candidate will:

Work closely with the Director, who is also the State Geologist of Texas, to design and implement research initiatives relevant to the state.
Design and lead research on energy or environmental topics relevant to the State of Texas. This includes organizing core workshops and training sessions both in-house and in collaboration with local professional societies.
Supervise a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including geoscientists, engineers, and geospatial specialists. This involves active engagement in annual performance evaluations, setting performance targets, and providing continuous feedback and adjustments throughout the year.
Monitor the financial health of the program in collaboration with the directorate.
Interact and engage with small Texas operators to define field studies that impact the STARR matrix. This includes documenting projects and securing letters of support from operators to be included in the STARR biannual report.
Collaborate with other Principal Investigators to identify areas of synergy.
Actively participate in local and regional technical events and conferences to promote the STARR mission and present technical results in collaboration with researchers.
Publish research results in peer-reviewed publications and present findings at relevant conferences locally and regionally.

Functions:

Provide scientific and strategic leadership for the STARR program as PI, including setting the research vision, defining priorities, and ensuring delivery of high impact, industry relevant outcomes. Oversee program execution to ensure projects are appropriately resourced, on schedule, and within budget.
Lead and participate in original, publishable research as part of STARR, advancing innovative approaches to subsurface characterization and resource recovery while integrating expertise across disciplines and above and below ground
Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary research team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research culture. Supervise staff, postdocs and students, promote professional development, and encourage cross-program collaboration within the Bureau of Economic Geology.
Proactively engage with industry, state agencies, and external partners to define relevant research questions, co-develop projects, secure data, and align STARR research with evolving industry challenges and State of Texas priorities. Actively seek and build synergies with other BEG programs and external research organizations.
Communicate research outcomes through presentations, reports, and peer reviewed publications; represent STARR and BEG to professional societies, sponsors, and stakeholders; and contribute to the visibility and impact of BEG’s research enterprise.

To learn more or to apply for this position, click here.

Research Associate Professor - STARR PI

ID: 182942

Purpose:

In this position the candidate will:

Work closely with the Director, who is also the State Geologist of Texas, to design and implement research initiatives relevant to the state.
Design and lead research on energy or environmental topics relevant to the State of Texas. This includes organizing core workshops and training sessions both in-house and in collaboration with local professional societies.
Supervise a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including geoscientists, engineers, and geospatial specialists. This involves active engagement in annual performance evaluations, setting performance targets, and providing continuous feedback and adjustments throughout the year.
Monitor the financial health of the program in collaboration with the directorate.
Interact and engage with small Texas operators to define field studies that impact the STARR matrix. This includes documenting projects and securing letters of support from operators to be included in the STARR biannual report.
Collaborate with other Principal Investigators to identify areas of synergy.
Actively participate in local and regional technical events and conferences to promote the STARR mission and present technical results in collaboration with researchers.
Publish research results in peer reviewed publications and present findings at relevant conferences locally and regionally. Proactively work to raise one’s research and leadership profile within the state, and at the national and international levels, in pursuit of promotion to Research Professor.

Functions:

Provide scientific and strategic leadership for the STARR program as PI, including setting the research vision, defining priorities, and ensuring delivery of high impact, industry relevant outcomes. Oversee program execution to ensure projects are appropriately resourced, on schedule, and within budget.
Lead and participate in original, publishable research as part of STARR, advancing innovative approaches to subsurface characterization and resource recovery while integrating expertise across disciplines and above and below ground. Proactively work in the publication of own research topics as lead author when appropriate.
Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary research team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance research culture. Supervise staff, postdocs and students, promote professional development, and encourage cross-program collaboration within the Bureau of Economic Geology.
Proactively engage with industry, state agencies, and external partners to define relevant research questions, co-develop projects, secure data, and align STARR research with evolving industry challenges and State of Texas priorities. Actively seek and build synergies with other BEG programs and external research organizations.
Communicate research outcomes through presentations, reports, and peer reviewed publications; represent STARR and BEG to professional societies, sponsors, and stakeholders; and contribute to the visibility and impact of BEG’s research enterprise.

To learn more or to apply for this position, click here.

Energy Economics Researcher - Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Code: R_00045286

Purpose:

The postdoctoral researcher will play a key role at the Center of Energy Economics (CEE) at the Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG), contributing to research on the economic and technological aspects of energy transitions.

The role is designed to support two complementary research directions:

Upstream oil and gas production modeling (supply-side focus)
Large load site selection and energy/resource strategy (demand-side focus), including data center-related energy and infrastructure analysis

The postdoc will be responsible for developing production models and analyzing key drivers in unconventional oil and gas plays, while also contributing to multidisciplinary research on energy demand growth, infrastructure constraints, and optimal siting strategies for large energy-consuming facilities.

The researcher will also conduct techno-economic analyses of low-carbon energy solutions (e.g., hydrogen, CCS/CCUS, geothermal), and lead efforts in data mining, market research, and modeling to assess value chains and perform financial analyses, including Net Present Value (NPV) modeling.

In this role, the postdoc will contribute to independent research, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings to stakeholders. In addition, the postdoc will actively support Industry Affiliate (IA) programs and broader funding activities through both technical contributions and organizational coordination. This includes preparing materials, supporting meetings and deliverables, and contributing to proposal development. These activities are an important component of the role and are intended to build skills essential for a future research-track career.

Functions:

Analyze productivity drivers in unconventional oil and gas plays, applying findings to develop production outlook models for various commodity price scenarios.
Conduct research on large load growth (e.g., data centers), including energy demand characterization, siting considerations, and infrastructure/resource constraints (power, water, land, and connectivity).
Develop analytical frameworks to evaluate trade-offs in site selection and energy/resource strategies for large-scale energy consumers.
Conduct market research and data collection for demand, production, and transportation of hydrogen and other low-carbon energy solutions.
Review and summarize relevant literature in the energy space.
Create data analysis frameworks and develop economic models to support ongoing research.
Conduct independent research and contribute to the development of grant proposals.
Present research findings to Industry Affiliates (IA) and other stakeholders at IA meetings and short courses.
Publish findings in BEG Reports of Investigation, peer-reviewed international journals, and informal reports.
Utilize high-performance computing techniques in simulation studies supporting research efforts.

RSA IV

Job Code: R_00042062

Purpose:

Position will lead mineral resource assessment and characterization studies, especially aggregate and industrial mineral mapping initiatives. The position will assist with the Mineral Resource Program tasks utilizing GIS, Satellite imagery and database development for generating geologic maps.

Functions:

Lead mineral resource assessment, characterization and mapping efforts.
Assist with the Mineral Resource Program tasks utilizing GIS, Satellite imagery and database development.
Drafting and producing geologic maps, reports, and data associated with mineral resource projects.

RSA III

Job Code: R_00042053

Purpose:

Position will assist in mineral resource assessment and characterization studies, especially aggregate and industrial mineral mapping initiatives. The position will assist with the Mineral Resource Program tasks utilizing GIS, Satellite imagery and database development for generating geologic maps.

Functions:

Assist in mineral resource assessment, characterization and mapping efforts. 50%
Assist with the Mineral Resource Program tasks utilizing GIS, Satellite imagery and database development. 25%
Drafting and producing geologic maps, reports, and data associated with mineral resource projects. 25%

RSA II

Job Code: R_00042047

Purpose:

Functions:

Assist in mineral resource assessment, characterization and mapping efforts. 50%
Assist with the Mineral Resource Program tasks utilizing GIS, Satellite imagery and database development. 25%
Drafting and producing geologic maps, reports, and data associated with mineral resource projects. 25%

Postdoctoral Fellow in Water Systems - Ground Water

Job Code: R_00041180

Purpose:

We are seeking highly motivated candidates for postdoctoral fellow positions within the Bureau’s hydrology research group. These fellows will be key members of an expanding research program focused on assessing Texas water resources and systems in service to our mission as the state geological survey. The current research program objectives are: (a) synthesize a full suite of Texas water resource and system data into a common spatiotemporal framework, (b) develop a web-based product to deliver accessible and actionable water resource and system information to stakeholders, (c) assess the historical impact of drought and flood on water resources and systems, and (d) evaluate drought and flood risk and resilience. This research program is anticipated to yield significant insights for Texas water resource management and planning processes as well as to provide a strong foundation for further research projects.

Each position term is subject to performance as well as research program needs and funding. Multiple postdoctoral fellow positions are initially available, and candidates are strongly encouraged to review Preferred Qualifications to determine which position is best aligned with their skills and experience.

Functions:

Perform research in the hydrology field, including analysis and interpretation of large datasets using various analytical, statistical, and numerical techniques.
Contribute to the publication of scientific papers and presentation of findings to scholarly meetings and stakeholders.
Collaborate and coordinate with research program team members and participate in program development through proposals and other fundraising.
In addition to other duties as assigned, provide support and service as needed to supervisor, the Bureau, and the Jackson School.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Water Systems (ml)

Job Code: R_00041178

Purpose:

Functions:

Perform research in the hydrology field, including analysis and interpretation of large datasets using various analytical, statistical, and numerical techniques.
Contribute to the publication of scientific papers and presentation of findings to scholarly meetings and stakeholders.
Collaborate and coordinate with research program team members and participate in program development through proposals and other fundraising.
In addition to other duties as assigned, provide support and service as needed to supervisor, the Bureau, and the Jackson School.

Water Resources Analyst (RESA II)

Job Code: R_00041175

Purpose:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a research scientist associate position within the Bureau’s hydrology research group. This position will be a key member of an expanding research program focused on assessing Texas water resources and systems in service to our mission as the state geological survey. The current research program objectives are: (a) synthesize a full suite of Texas water resource and system data into a common spatiotemporal framework, (b) develop a web-based product to deliver accessible and actionable water resource and system information to stakeholders, (c) assess the historical impact of drought and flood on water resources and systems, and (d) evaluate drought and flood risk and resilience. This research program is anticipated to yield significant insights for Texas water resource management and planning processes as well as to provide a strong foundation for further research projects.

This is a limited term appointment which, subject to performance as well as research program needs and funding, may or may not ultimately result in extension or permanent opportunities. Multiple research scientist associate positions are listed, and candidates are strongly encouraged to review Required Qualifications to determine which listing is best aligned with their skills and experience.

Functions:

Perform research in the hydrology field, including analysis and interpretation of large datasets using various analytical, statistical, and numerical techniques.
Contribute to the publication of scientific papers and presentation of findings to scholarly meetings and stakeholders.
Collaborate and coordinate with research program team members and participate in program development through proposals and other fundraising.
In addition to other duties as assigned, provide support and service as needed to supervisor, the Bureau, and the Jackson School.

Seismology Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Code: R_00028107

Purpose:

Analysis of Geophysical and Geomechanical data to provide models that can be calibrated and verified from available data, to identify processes for earthquake risk mitigation.

Functions:

Provide novel research on geomechanical and pore pressure models linking human operations to the evolving seismicity rates. The goal is to be able to construct models that explain the nucleation and evolution of seismicity. Model-inputs might include earthquake and hydrogeological data, stress-change models, etc. In addition, you will contribute to collaborative research modeling stress changes in the subsurface due to geo-energy related operations, validating potential identification of causal factors. The results could be integrated in a regional time-dependent seismic hazard model estimating approaches for risk mitigation. Present in meetings and conferences. Publish in peer review journals.

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