Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis, Cockrell School of Engineering

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis, Cockrell School of Engineering ----

Hiring Department:

Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis ----

Position Open To:

All Applicants ----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40 ----

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA ----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately ----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Apr 15, 2027 ----

Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS ----

Job Details:

General Notes

The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a growing group of interdisciplinary experts in energy systems, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy policy within the Center for Energy and Environmental Systems Analysis (CEESA). CEESA operators across multiple engineering departments at UT Austin and routinely collaborate with stakeholders in government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations. 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.

Position Purpose

The Postdoctoral Fellow will conduct research on developing physics-informed models of the gas-electric interconnection network with applications in voluntary carbon markets, risk assessments, and energy transition planning under the supervision of Dr. Arvind Ravikumar. The recent National Petroleum Council report on Gas-Electric Coordination highlighted the critical importance of understanding the interconnecting dependencies between the natural gas system and the electric grid. Yet, a physical model that tracks the flow of natural gas from production regions to power plants do not exist. Such a physical model, if developed, could unlock a range of new applications in energy system research including traceability of carbon intensity of delivered gas, quantitative risk assessments associated with gas grid disruptions, and long-term planning to repurpose natural gas pipelines to carry carbon dioxide or hydrogen. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for developing the model and illustrating its use across several application areas. This position will initially focus on developing a gas-electric integration model for the Southeast US, followed by an expansion to other regions.

Responsibilities

Model Development: Develop a physics-informed model of integration of the natural gas pipeline system and electric power generation units in the US to probe interdependencies of the gas system and the electric system

Case Studies and Application Areas: Use the gas-electric integration model to answer questions related to low-emissions gas certification, risk assessments in the electric system, and re-purposing pipelines to lower carbon solutions including CO2 transport

Writing and Documentation: Leading peer-reviewed manuscripts, white papers, and project reports summarizing the findings of the research

Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Energy System Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Atmospheric Sciences or a closely related field received within the last three years

Demonstrated research experience in energy system modeling, greenhouse gas emission inventories, or engineering-based risk assessment models

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in communicating technical information to varied audiences in industry, government, and non-profit organizations

Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in research

Strong track record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations

Strong programming skills in Python

Ability to work collaboratively with other research staff, post-doctoral scholars

Salary Range

$63,573 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Repetitive use of keyboard at workstation

Repetitive use of standard office equipment

Limited travel (2-3 trips per year to conferences and other meetings)

Required Materials

CV that includes a full publication record

Letter of interest

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Up to 2 relevant publications (peer-reviewed or pre-prints)

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation. ----

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. ----

Background Checks:

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

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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