Opportunity: Post Doctoral Research Associate and Ph.D. Graduate Student – Near-field Modeling of Petroleum Fate and Transport, Texas A&M
– November 30, 2011
One Post Doctoral Research Associate and one Ph.D. graduate student opportunities for near-field modeling of petroleum fate and transport from accidental subsea oil-well blowouts.
The Division of Coastal and Ocean Engineering in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University invites applications for one postdoctoral researcher and one Ph.D. graduate student. The successful candidates will apply laboratory, field and numerical modeling methods to predict the near-field dynamics of released oil and gas from accidental subsea oil-well blowouts. The laboratory experiments will apply advanced fluids modeling methods to characterize the physical behavior of energetic multiphase plumes in stratified ambient reservoirs, focusing on entrainment and mixing properties, including effectiveness of subsea dispersant application. The laboratory results will guide integral plume modeling of full-scale blowout plumes. The numerical results of the plume near field will be dynamically coupled to a multiscale, nested modeling suite for circulation and petroleum transport in the Gulf of Mexico. Field experiments will contribute insight on the physics and chemistry of subsea blowouts and generate new data for model validation. These activities are integral to the “Gulf Integrated Spill Response” Consortium (led by Texas A&M University) and the “Center for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of the Gulf Ecosystem (C-IMAGE)” Consortium (led by the University of South Florida), both funded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI).
There are two research positions available. The Postdoctoral Researcher will oversea all aspects of the near-field research and have primary responsibility for design, implementation, and analysis of the field experiments. The Ph.D. Graduate Student will conduct the numerical modeling and participate in the field and laboratory experiments while completing the requirements of the Ph.D. degree in Civil or Ocean Engineering. Both students will be expected to collaborate closely with each other and with the other member institutions of the two GRI consortia described above.
Applicants for the Postdoctoral position must have a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental or Ocean Engineering, Physical oceanography or a closely related field. A strong background in two or more of the following is desirable, though not required: physical or numerical modeling of unbounded multiphase flows (jets, plumes or thermals), oceanographic field work or instrumentation development, multiphase pipe flow, and chemistry of hydrocarbons in the deep ocean (dissolution, gas hydrate formation).
The start date is negotiable although preference will be given to applicants who can start as soon as possible. The appointment will be for three years and salary for the postdoctoral position is negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
To apply, please send a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, the names, addresses (including email), and telephone numbers of three references, and if available a representative peer-reviewed publication in a journal or conference proceeding via email to Dr. Scott Socolofsky (socolofs@tamu.edu).
Applicants for the Ph.D. position must have an M.S. or equivalent degree in Civil, Environmental, or Ocean Engineering or a closely related field. A broad background in fluid mechanics is necessary. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is desirable, but not required: unbounded shear flows (jets, plumes, mixing layers), contaminant fate and transport, hydraulics, laboratory or numerical methods in fluids research. To apply for graduate admissions go to http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate/default.aspx .
Texas A&M University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from under-represented and minority groups.
