Openings for post-doctoral scholars and research staff positions will be posted here. Currently, I am hiring for the following positions.

1. Methane Policy Modeling (Research Staff): Open position to expand the FEAST modeling platform to new applications areas and technologies. This position will require significant interaction with external stakeholders including industry and government agencies.

   For more details and to submit an application, please click here: FEAST Research Staff

2. Carbon Accounting Across Oil and Gas Supply Chains (Postdoctoral Fellow): Open position to lead research on developing open-source sustainability data analytics tools related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain. Specific research topics can include (a) developing integrated lifecycle assessment and techno-economic modeling tools to assess emissions mitigation policies, (b) developing analytical tools to aggregate and interpret methane emissions data from networked sensor deployment, (c) developing models to estimate quasi real-time methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

   For more details and to submit an application, please click here: Carbon Accounting Postdoc

If you’re interested in applying, please send an e-mail to Professor Ravikumar with the subject line “Application: Position Title, Your Name” with a CV, a cover letter explaining how your background will fit or complement our research program (1 page max), and contact information for two references. Candidates will be interviewed on a rotating basis.

We always welcome talented postdoctoral fellows with their own funding such as the NSF or NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships. Please send an email to Prof. Ravikumar to discuss collaborative opportunities.

We are always looking for motivated Ph.D. and Masters’ students to work across our research areas in sustainable energy transitions. The SET Lab’s work is highly interdisciplinary and we have students from all areas of engineering and physical sciences. Currently, I am hiring Ph.D. students to work in the following areas:

1. Multi-scale measurements of methane emissions from oil and gas operations

2. Models, tools, and protocols for effective carbon accounting across global oil and gas supply chains.

3. Energy system modeling, including life-cycle assessments, techno-economic analysis, and system integration. Experience with hydrogen preferable.

4. Explore equity implications of climate policy associated with oil and gas operations

For Ph.D. positions, please apply directly through the Cockrell School at UT Austin - the deadline for consideration in the Petroleum Engineering department is December 15. Please indicate your interest in working in my lab in your application. While many students are funded by the lab, you are also encouraged to apply for external fellowship opportunities (e.g., NSF GRFP) when eligible. Note that deadlines for fellowships can be earlier than those for graduate school applications.

If you do have a question about research in our group, please send me an email at: arvind.ravikumar@austin.utexas.edu.

We welcome motivated undergraduate students interested in doing an independent semester-long research project or for longer-term senior thesis projects on sustainable energy transitions. Please reach out to Prof. Ravikumar to set up a meeting.

We collaborate extensively with individual companies and industry consortia on a variety of projects including FEAST modeling of asset portfolios, methane sensor deployment and data analytics, and techno-economic modeling of methane reduction policies. There are several ways to work with the SET lab.

1. Sponsored Projects: We have several on-going research projects with the industry in areas of methane technology deployment, FEAST modeling, and emerging areas such as certified natural gas frameworks. These contracts will go through UT Austin’s Office of Sponsored Research and typically requires a lead time of 4 - 8 weeks to sign. Please email Prof. Ravikumar to discuss potential collaborative project ideas.

2. Membership in Research Initiatives: We often build a consortium of stakeholders (industry, government, academia) across departments focusing on specific topics such as sustainable LNG or net-zero emissions to prioritize collaboration and dialog. Industry members can join such consortiums by paying an annual membership fee with varying levels of opportunity to direct research. Please email Prof. Ravikumar for details of upcoming consortia.

3. Research Gifts: Unrestricted research funding for broad areas such as methane emissions modeling or technology assessment studies can be made directly to the department to be used at the discretion of the lab director to which funds are donated.

4. Individual Consultation: I occasionally accept short (<2 weeks) consulting assignments depending on my availability, length of the project, and my ability to solve it. Please send an email to arvind.ravikumar@austin.utexas.edu for inquiries.

Prof. Ravikumar has in the past (and the present) served on technical advisory committees and project advisory boards for local, state, and federal agencies in the US and Canada. In addition, the SET lab also collaborates with government agencies on field campaigns and FEAST modeling for policy support. While many of these are funded through consulting or other contracts, we also undertake a limited number of pro-bono research projects for government agencies. Please email Prof. Ravikumar to discuss your needs.