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

Job Posting

Title:

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, more than 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.

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

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.

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

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

Research background in modeling 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. Successful experience in patent application. Previous experience with project supervision.

$65,000 + depending on qualifications.

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

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

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

The University of Texas at Austin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complying 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.