National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
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Subsurface Simulation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Post-Doctoral stipend is $8126 per month; stipend is commensurate with educational level and experience.
Deadline
Jan 1, 2027
Country
United States
University
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
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About this position
This postdoctoral research opportunity is hosted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, within the Research Innovation Center and under the mentorship of Greg Lackey. The project focuses on subsurface simulation for unconventional energy systems and is carried out on-site with NETL federal and contract staff.
The selected researcher will work on an overarching effort tied to unconventional enhanced oil recovery, natural gas storage, and produced water disposal. The research is aimed at bridging lab-scale and field-scale observations of recovery techniques in unconventional reservoirs, identifying ways to expand underground gas storage safely and effectively, and improving produced water disposal strategies to maximize stored volumes.
Day-to-day work will center on building and validating numerical reservoir models for shale and tight formations, matching models to laboratory core-flood experiments and field data, and running sensitivity and optimization studies to improve subsurface outcomes. The fellow will also apply geostatistical techniques to represent spatial heterogeneity and uncertainty, construct 3D geologic and petrophysical reservoir models using well logs, cores, seismic, and completion data, and integrate machine-learning methods for proxy modeling and data-driven analysis.
The appointment offers a collaborative environment that brings together petroleum engineers, geologists, software developers, and data scientists. The fellow will also have opportunities to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and contribute to proposals and technical reports while developing expertise in unconventional reservoir simulation and subsurface characterization.
This is an educational postdoctoral opportunity administered by ORISE for NETL.
Funding details
Post-Doctoral stipend is $8126 per month; stipend is commensurate with educational level and experience.
What's required
Applicants should have a PhD in petroleum engineering, civil engineering, geoscience, applied mathematics, or a related field. The ideal candidate has experience with commercial reservoir simulators such as CMG GEM or Eclipse and/or open-source porous media transport codes such as TOUGH or PFLOTRAN, proficiency with geologic and geostatistical modeling tools such as Petrel, strong programming skills in Python and R for data analysis and machine learning, and the ability to research independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. Eligibility requires either a doctoral degree earned within the last five years or current enrollment in a doctoral degree program with completion before the appointment start date.
How to apply
Submit the online application through Zintellect. Include your academic history, work history, honors and awards, goals statement, transcripts, current CV or resume, and at least two educational or professional recommendations. Ensure all documents are in English or include official English translations.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.