Enhancing Oil and Gas Recovery

About the Role

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking a student researcher, recent Bachelor's graduate, or recent Master's graduate to engage in projects with the Research Innovation Center (RIC) at NETL in Pittsburgh, PA. The focus is on enhancing oil and gas production, specifically investigating methods to improve oil recovery from unconventional shale formations. The participant will work under the mentorship of Angela Goodman and Greg Lackey, collaborating with NETL researchers on literature reviews, high-pressure/high-temperature experiments, and reservoir simulation.

Responsibilities

• Review literature on current enhanced oil and gas recovery efforts.
• Investigate oil recovery using select surfactants in unconventional shale through high-pressure, high-temperature measurements.
• Record wetting changes and quantify the amount of oil extracted.
• Apply laboratory results in reservoir simulation tools to scale findings to field conditions.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a PhD, preferably in Petroleum Engineering or a related STEM field.
• Experience with high-pressure, high-temperature experimental reaction vessels.
• Proficiency in tools for data processing, visualization, and interpreting complex experimental results is desirable.

Requirements

• Be an undergraduate student, recent Bachelor's graduate (within 60 months), graduate student, or recent Master's graduate (within 60 months) from a regionally accredited college/university.
• Have an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher.
• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Provide confirmation of health insurance coverage prior to the internship start date.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).

Benefits

• Biweekly stipend based on educational level:
  • $814.50/week for undergraduate students
  • $1267/week for recent Bachelor's graduates
  • $1550/week for graduate students and recent Master's graduates
• Opportunity to contribute to publications, including manuscripts, journal articles, and conference presentations.

Application Details

A complete application includes:

• An application with academic history, work experience, and honors/awards.
• A description of goals, related experience, and skills (refer to NETL's Core Competencies and ongoing projects).
• Transcripts (official or unofficial, with detailed information available).
• A current resume or CV.
• Two educational or professional recommendations (contact information required).

Application Deadline: 10/31/2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time Zone.

Program Goals

The Professional Internship Program aims to:

• Develop skills and knowledge in participants' fields of study.
• Engage participants in basic and applied research.
• Transition classroom theory into hands-on experience.
• Facilitate networking with world-class scientists.
• Provide access to state-of-the-art equipment.
• Contribute to solutions for pressing scientific questions.
• Collaborate with the broader scientific and technical communities.