Senior Geochemical Modeler

Fervo Energy•Milford, UT

7d•$138,000 - $210,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Fervo Energy is seeking a Senior Geochemical Modeler to develop and apply advanced geochemical and reactive transport models supporting the design, development, and long-term operation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The role will predict fluid chemistry evolution during geothermal reservoir circulation, integrate laboratory and field data with numerical models, and assess geochemical risks related to mineral scaling, corrosion, and non-condensable gas generation and release. The successful candidate will bring expertise in reactive transport modeling, thermodynamic equilibrium, aqueous speciation, and kinetic modeling of high-temperature, high-pressure aqueous systems. The role requires an understanding of water–rock interaction and the ability to calibrate models against mineralogical data and produced-water chemistry. Experience in geothermal energy, oil and gas, or other subsurface energy applications is strongly preferred. The position is eligible for some hybrid flexibility and is based at one of Fervo Energy’s offices in Houston, Golden, Reno, Oakland, or Salt Lake City. The role follows a hybrid schedule with employees expected to work in the office three days per week; regular in-office presence is an essential function.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in Geochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Hydrogeology, Earth Sciences, or a related field.
Demonstrated 5–10 years of experience developing reactive transport models from scratch using TOUGHREACT, Geochemist’s Workbench, or comparable professional-grade software.
Strong understanding of aqueous thermodynamics, chemical speciation, mineral saturation, equilibrium reactions, and kinetic mineral dissolution and precipitation.
Demonstrated expertise in modeling water–rock interactions in geological formations.
Experience incorporating real-world mineralogical and aqueous geochemical data into models and calibrating predictions against observed fluid chemistry.
Strong analytical skills in numerical modeling, model validation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty assessment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in geothermal energy, EGS, oil and gas, or other high-temperature subsurface environments.
Familiarity with ResFrac or other three-dimensional reservoir simulators and integration of mass and heat transport outputs with geochemical models.
Experience evaluating scaling, corrosion-related geochemistry, and dissolved gas partitioning.
Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing tools for data processing, model automation, and sensitivity analysis.
Familiarity with field sampling, produced-water chemistry, and mineralogical characterization.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute reactive transport models to predict fluid chemistry evolution during reservoir circulation, injection, production, and thermal recovery.
Apply thermodynamic equilibrium, aqueous speciation, mineral dissolution and precipitation kinetics, and temperature-dependent reaction rates to evaluate water–rock interactions.
Use TOUGHREACT, Geochemist’s Workbench (GWB), and other professional geochemical modeling tools to evaluate mineral saturation, secondary mineral formation, and potential changes in reservoir porosity and permeability.
Evaluate the effects of temperature, pressure, fluid composition, and residence time on mineral reactions and fluid chemistry.
Interpret core, cuttings, XRD, XRF, petrographic, and other mineralogical analyses to characterize reservoir lithology and define representative mineral assemblages.
Incorporate rock composition, injection-fluid chemistry, and produced-water analyses into numerical models.
Calibrate model predictions against observed fluid chemistry, including major ions, alkalinity, silica, trace elements, and pH.
Refine reaction networks, kinetic parameters, reactive surface areas, and mineral assemblages to improve agreement between modeled and observed chemistry.
Perform sensitivity analyses and quantify uncertainty in key geochemical predictions.
Integrate geochemical models with Fervo’s three-dimensional reservoir simulation workflows, including ResFrac and other applicable numerical modeling platforms.
Incorporate reservoir flow, mass transport, temperature, pressure, residence time, and thermal evolution assumptions into reactive transport simulations.
Collaborate with reservoir engineers and geologists to evaluate coupled thermal, hydraulic, and geochemical processes and their implications for long-term reservoir performance.
Assess mineral scaling risks associated with carbonate, sulfate, silica, and silicate minerals during production, heat extraction, pressure changes, and reinjection.
Evaluate fluid chemistry conditions that contribute to corrosion, including pH, dissolved oxygen, H₂S, CO₂, chloride concentration, and relevant aqueous species.
Predict dissolved gas behavior and potential NCG release, including CO₂, H₂S, and N2 where relevant, during production, flashing, pressure reduction, and surface processing.
Translate modeling results into actionable recommendations for chemical treatment, materials selection, fluid handling, reinjection strategy, and geochemical monitoring.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plan options.
Employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
A 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match.
Flexible paid time off.
Paid parental leave.
Family-building, fertility, hormonal health, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting support through Carrot.
A dependent care FSA for eligible child and elder care expenses.
An annual Lifestyle Spending Account for eligible wellness expenses, including fitness, financial planning, pet insurance, and pet care.
Employee ownership opportunities through Fervo’s Employee Stock Purchase Program, as well as LTI and bonus opportunities for eligible roles.
Incentive stock options program.
Bonus incentive program.