Postdoctoral Fellow, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering

Hiring Department: Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until May 31, 2025

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest numbers of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation's most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America's Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city's innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.

At UT Austin, we say “What starts here changes the world.” As a member of the university community, you will be part of an organization that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will have meaning and make a difference not only in the lives of our faculty, staff, and students, but also those who are impacted by our first-class academic and research programs.

UT Austin provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

General Notes

This is a temporary training position that may be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years, based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

Purpose

The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct world-leading research, producing deliverables on time, keeping projects within budget, meeting project reporting and publication requirements, and ensuring that the project is appropriately resourced.

Responsibilities

• Conducts state-of-the-art drilling research in the areas of hydraulics and multi-phase flow dynamics, managed pressure drilling, drill string dynamics, geothermal well construction
• Works on proposals, R&D plans, schedules, and completion of reports on detailed phase of research projects
• Supervision of undergraduate and graduate students and staff associated with R&D projects
• Write papers and present results at relevant professional meetings and conferences
• Provides input on research and development inquiries, insight and direction for testing procedures and research
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in Mechanical / Petroleum Engineering received within three years of the start date. Background in computational science and multi-physics modeling, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multibody dynamics. Strong experience of scientific computational software development including proven programming experience in multiple programming languages including Python and Matlab. Strong proven record of peer-reviewed publications in the aforementioned areas. Prior experience with supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

Research background in modeling of multiphase flow in pipe and porous media coupled with heat transfer. Research background in drill string dynamics, preferably using the multibody dynamics method. Familiar with drilling and well-completion technologies. Understanding of drilling tools and practices in the field. Experience in software secondary development (development of user interfaces, etc.). Successful experience in patent application. Previous experience with project supervision.

Salary

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around mechanical hazards
• May work in standard office conditions

Physics Tasks

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• May require climbing of stairs
• May require lifting and moving

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Sample of related publications
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest