Postdoctoral Scholar, Experimental Rock Physics

Description

Postdoctoral Scholar ¿ Experimental Rock Physics, Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment (EEE), Faculty of Science

Position Description

Area:  Experimental Rock Physics in Hydrocarbon and Low-carbon Energy

Duration:  One year

Start Date:  Immediate

Salary:  $55,000 CAD plus UCalgary Postdoctoral Plan C Health Benefits

The Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment (EEE) in the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Experimental Rock Physics in Hydrocarbon and Low-carbon Energy.

Job Description:

The primary objectives of Tight Oil Consortium (TOC) and Transitional Energy Consortium (TEC) hosted in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment (EEE), Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, are to solve multidisciplinary problems facing industry in the arena of low-permeability (`tight¿) oil reservoirs and subsurface clean energy, respectively. To accomplish this goal, TOC and TEC are comprised of researchers from the disciplines of geoscience and petroleum engineering.

Currently, we are looking for a postdoctoral fellow (PDF) with extensive experimental rock physics and laboratory experience, and a particularly strong background in core-flooding.  This position is partially funded through an ongoing NSERC Alliance grant, involving a collaboration with industry and government partners. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and geoscientists at the UCalgary, helping industry partners to evaluate coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes at pore/field-scale for hydrocarbon and low-carbon energy, across two government/industry-sponsored consortia (TOC & TEC).

Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), the successful candidate must be able to independently (or with minimum direction), plan, organize, design, construct, and perform lab-scale core-flooding experiments, and ideally simulate/model these experiments at the core-scale using reservoir simulation packages (e.g., tNavigator, Eclipse, and CMG). The successful candidate will also take a leading role in the generation of innovative ideas for advancing this line of research for TOC and TEC. 

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the industry partner(s), the laboratory staff, and the reservoir engineering team at UCalgary to help design, develop, and conduct fit-to-purpose core-flooding experiments for low-permeability hydrocarbon and clean energy applications (e.g., geological CO2 storage, geothermal energy, critical elements extraction).
• Help with selecting samples for core-scale experimentation (cuttings, core plugs).
• Conduct simulation of experimental fluid injection/production data for evaluating single-phase and two-phase fluid storage and transport properties (e.g., relative permeability).
• Utilize and improve existing core-flooding instrumentation used to simulate core-scale gas/liquid flow in the subsurface (e.g., at high-temperature, high-pressure), consistent with the needs of the industry partner, particularly:
  - Optimal design for core-flooding experimentation for evaluating two-phase flow processes (e.g., relative permeability) in low-permeability (e.g., tight oil) and high-permeability (e.g. saline aquifers) systems.
  - Optimal design of operating conditions for gas/liquid injection and sampling for relevant core-flooding experiments, tailored to low-permeability (e.g., tight oil) and high-permeability (e.g. saline aquifers) systems.
• Develop and apply new experimental methods for conducting, interpreting, and modeling/simulation of the results.
• Document the results of experiments in technical reports and scientific manuscripts publishable in high-quality international journals/conferences (minimum 1 conference contribution/peer-reviewed publication per year).
• Consult with sponsors to plan future tests and clarify the results/findings.
• Mentor graduate students to plan future tests and clarify the results/findings.

Qualifications:

• A recent PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Geoscience, Petroleum Engineering, etc.) is required. PhD degrees must have been granted no more than 7-years (according to the new collective agreement) prior to the project¿s start date.
• A deep understanding of the rock physics concepts applied to the evaluation of pore/field-scale fluid storage and transport processes (e.g., adsorption, diffusion, stress-dependent properties) in low- and high-permeability reservoirs is required.
• 3-5 years of previous work experience with experimental design and theoretical interpretation of core-flooding data is required.
• Prior knowledge with commercial numerical simulators and reservoir optimizers such as tNavigator, Eclipse, and CMG is required.
• Experienced with compiling scientific manuscripts/presentations for international journals and conferences.
• Proven organizational skills, multitasking, and close attention to details and timelines is required.
• Ability to think critically and creatively under pressure while exercising good judgment and discretion is required.
• Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexible is required 

Asset Qualifications

• Previous experience with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental and theoretical methods.
• Previous experience with mercury injection porosimetry (MICP) experimental and theoretical methods.
• Previous experience with nanoparticles and their application in core-flooding experimentation.
• Previous experience with geomechanical concepts and modeling workflows.
• Previous experience with programming languages such as Python/MATLAB.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures.

*Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.

Application Details:

Please submit your application as a single .pdf document  before August 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM MDT to Dr. Christopher Clarkson at [email protected].

All applications must include:

• A cover letter including date of availability, suitability, and motivation for the role, including a brief summary of past, current, and future research interests and accomplishments.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) including a publication list.
• A copy of two of the most key peer-reviewed journal/chapter publications or conference contribution relevant to the vacancy (if available).
• The name and contact information, including email addresses for 3 referees who have knowledge of the candidate¿s research and academic experience. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted further. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, although others are encouraged to apply.

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about the postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary, visit our Postdocs website.  

Additional Information

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Postdoc Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science, visit Careers in the Faculty of Science.

The terms and conditions of employment are covered under the UCalgary and PDAC Collective Agreement. To find out more about postdoctoral scholar program at the University of Calgary visit our Postdocs website.  

To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Postdoc Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders' in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).