Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of 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

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Feb 02, 2023

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

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 number 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.

A Postdoctoral Scholar position is available in Professor Arvind Ravikumar’s Sustainable Energy Transition lab (SET Lab) in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at UT Austin. This position will focus on developing open-source sustainability data analytics tools related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain. Specific research topics can include (a) developing integrated lifecycle assessment and techno-economic modeling tools to assess emissions mitigation policies, (b) developing analytical tools to aggregate and interpret methane emissions data from networked sensor deployment, (c) developing models to estimate quasi real-time methane emissions from oil and gas operations. More information about the SET lab can be found here: www.arvindravikumar.com

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. 

Responsibilities

• Designs, implements, and tests models to assess greenhouse gas emissions across the LNG supply chain. Model requirements will be mutually decided based on project needs and interests of the candidate and can include one of the following: (a) developing integrated lifecycle assessment and techno-economic modeling tools to assess emissions mitigation policies, (b) developing analytical tools to aggregate and interpret methane emissions data from networked sensor deployment, (c) developing models to estimate quasi real-time methane emissions from oil and gas operations

• Works with collaborators to validate models, develop user-friendly online interfaces, conduct workshops for various stakeholders in industry, finance, and government on the use of the models

• Communicates model insights to a variety of audiences of academia, industry, and government through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, policy memos, and other forms of stakeholder engagement

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Engineering received within the past 3 years or expect to receive the degree by Spring 2022 (Systems, Petroleum, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical).  Demonstrated experience in statistical modeling, data analysis, and scientific programming languages (Python, Matlab, or R).  Experience or familiarity with one of the following: life cycle assessment of energy systems, atmospheric dispersion modeling of greenhouse gas emissions, methane emissions from oil and gas operations.  Strong interest in translating engineering research into policy-relevant insights.  Ability to work well with cross-functional, and varied teams.  Ability to manage and lead external engagement and collaboration on projects. 

Preferred Qualifications

Working knowledge in one or more of the following areas: oil and gas operations, greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel extraction, geospatial an