Research Associate 3 - Reservoir Engineering

About the role

The Reservoir Engineering Research Associate supports subsurface analysis for Louisiana’s Underground Injection Control program, including carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), well plugging, and long‑term performance modeling. The role contributes to building the workflow needed to responsibly permit, regulate, and monitor underground activities while informing the state’s financial planning and risk‑based prioritization.

Key responsibilities

• Model reservoir behavior for CO₂ injection, pressure fronts, plume migration, and storage integrity (≈25%).
• Support risk assessments for legacy wells, orphaned infrastructure, and offset‑well impacts (≈20%).
• Develop engineering‑based profiles to prioritize plugging and restoration funding (≈15%).
• Evaluate subsurface data to aid Mineral Board decisions and Trust Authority financing models (≈15%).
• Conduct field‑scale analyses integrating logs, pressure data, production history, and geological characterization (≈10%).
• Assist with decision‑support tools that visualize subsurface risk, asset condition, and long‑term stability (≈10%).
• Perform other duties as assigned (≈5%).

Required profile

• Master’s degree in a related field, or a bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant experience.

Required skills

• Numerical reservoir modeling.
• CO₂ injection simulation and pressure‑front analysis.
• Plume migration and storage‑integrity assessment.
• Wellbore integrity analysis.
• Data integration from logs, pressure measurements, production history, and geological models.