Research Associate, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering

Job Posting Title:

Research Associate, Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering

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Hiring Department:

Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2029

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Position Purpose

Conduct advanced physics-based research and develop computational approaches to investigate the properties of fluids and porous geological materials, interpret formation-evaluation measurements, and improve understanding of subsurface energy and storage systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, perform, and validate molecular-scale simulations of fluid behavior, transport, and interactions with mineral or organic pore surfaces; analyze implications for petrophysical properties.
• Develop and evaluate computational models of nuclear and magnetic-resonance measurements, including applications to subsurface characterization and monitoring in well environments.
• Use scientific programming, numerical methods, and high-performance computing resources to manage simulations, assess uncertainty, interpret results, and improve reproducibility.
• Integrate computational predictions with available experimental measurements; investigate model sensitivity and interpret scientific findings.
• Prepare technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, and research updates; coordinate with faculty, students, collaborators, and consortium sponsors.

Required Qualifications

• P.h.D. degree and seven years of experience in physics, chemistry, engineering, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline, plus substantial relevant research experience appropriate to the Research Associate classification
• Experience with computational modeling or numerical simulation; scientific programming and quantitative data analysis; technical documentation and communication; and collaboration in multidisciplinary research.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, particularly a PhD, in physics, computational science, engineering, or a related field.
• Research in molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo particle transport, magnetic resonance, or confined fluids.
• Familiarity with MCNP, GROMACS, LAMMPS or comparable tools, Python, MATLAB, and high-performance computing.
• Experience in subsurface energy applications, publications, presentations, and mentoring.

Salary

$80,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a standard office environment
• Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation.

Work Shift

• Standard business hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis during peak times

Required Materials

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

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find Jobs. Before you apply though, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page, and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times in order to attach your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials noted above.

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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.

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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. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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