Research Associate 2

Works under the direction of a faculty member. May prepare samples for testing. Performs advanced testing procedures and performs analyses of data. Prepares reports. Makes uses of a variety of specialized equipment typical within area of specialization. May contribute to grant proposal development. Ensures experiments or research efforts are performed according to specifications. May make recommendations to changes in procedures, processes, or experimental design. May prepare and/or edit research papers, proposals and reports. Possesses, understands, and applies an advanced knowledge crossing fields of specialization to develop unique and new approaches or ideas. Understands and uses effective management techniques. 

Interaction of Phase Behavior and Flow (IPB&F) and CCUS Consortia (and other sponsored research projects) at University of Houston Department of Petroleum Engineering seeks a Research Associate in the general direction of experimental work on thermodynamic properties of complex mixtures. Combined functionalities of IPB&F and CCUS consortia constitute a cross disciplinary center. The IPB&F center at the Petroleum Engineering Department focuses on applied thermodynamic property measurements at HPHT conditions, modeling such processes, physical chemistry, phase behavior, and fluid properties where a fundamental understanding of chemistry, physics, and data-analytics/mathematical tools under dynamic conditions are needed. Therefore, experience in these areas in the presence of porous media (i.e., rocks) will be quite important. The primary application areas are within energy resources such as oil and gas production, EOR processes, petroleum processing, carbon dioxide storage, and geothermal energy. The research activities at IPB&F center cover experimental investigations modelling of phase equilibrium, and thermophysical, properties (PVT), as well as development of efficient algorithms for phase equilibrium calculations, multi-phase flow in porous media and reactive transport.  Experimental experience with HPHT systems and designing and running such systems is a must. Some industrial experience is also very important.

Duties: Designs, operates and analyzes multiple large and/or complex experiments or research projects. Reviews progress of projects. May serve as liaison with other areas of specialization to obtain support or technical expertise for projects. Defines procedures or processes to be used in the research investigations. May personally conduct important and/or technically complex investigations. Supervision: Operates with wide latitude for unreviewed action subject only to institutional policies and guidelines and ethical considerations. Provides direction and supervision of graduate and undergraduate research assistants involved in experiments or research. 

Experimental design coupled modelling thermodynamic properties and phase behavior is routinely needed in various aspects of modern project design considerations and simulation of such processes with numerical tools especially under dynamic flow conditions. Modern analytical tools can provide more detailed characterization for mixtures but the information is yet to be fully utilized in the thermodynamic modelling of these mixtures. The Research Associate will work mainly on HPHT tools to better characterize complex mixtures, and provide help with the MSc and PhD students and run and manage the laboratory along with the PI. The projects will involve combination of some experimental apparatus design and analysis work. The Research Associate is also expected to help in writing and executing research proposals.

EEO/AA

Doctoral and 3 years experience

Ph.D. Degree with 3 years of experience in petroleum engineering with flow in porous media, enhanced oil recovery (subsurface processes) and thermodynamics focus.

Additional Job Posting Information
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

•   Experience in HPHT laboratories and design
• Hands-on working laboratory experience: with experience beyond academic work, and designing such systems that are used in recovery processes and as well as new energies/CO2 theme
• Innovative skills and the ability to generate new ideas, and research and technology applications proposals
• Ability to communicate at all levels such as the principal investigators, students and scientific community as a whole
• All-round experience basis, and broader view that is essential for the analysis of the integrated energy systems
• Ability to contribute to development of internal and external collaborative projects and being able to document the work in terms of reports and peer-reviewed journals