PhD Studentship: Resource Modelling of Subsurface Geothermal Plays and Applications in NW England

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded; students who are eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

This project is jointly funded by the ENI funded UK Energy Futures Consortium and EPSRC.

Decarbonisation of heat is one of the most important requirements for the UK to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. The role of geothermal energy in this endeavour is potentially huge, but as yet the geothermal resource potential is very poorly constrained. The overall aim of this project is to build on an integrated geothermal play analysis of an extensive onshore seismic and borehole geophysical dataset. Using an existing 3D geological numerical model, specific areas of interest will be extracted and model resolution increased to assess the geothermal thermal resource of different geological units, in relation to specific heat requirements. Uncertainties will be highlighted and scenario testing undertaken using geothermal modelling tools will allow us to define possible portfolio solutions to specific areas and heat/cooling needs.

The subsurface of Northwest England mainly comprises Late Paleozoic and Triassic rocks. The variability in rock physical properties, depth and prior knowledge of the subsurface environment across NW England provides a challenging background for assessing the geothermal potential of the region and its role in decarbonising heat. In many cases a portfolio approach may be envisaged for individual large users to district heating networks and city councils.

Specific modelling will be done to constrain the economic potential of geothermal the heat resources, focused upon but not necessarily limited to:

• Low enthalpy geothermal potential of the Lower Carboniferous limestone beneath Greater Manchester
• Heat/cooling potential of coalmines under NE Manchester and Oldham (and possibly the Midlands)
• Potential for the production and storage of heat/cool water in Carboniferous, Permian and Lower Triassic sandstones in NW England

Geothermal modelling will use a range of approaches alongside commercial software and software under development as part of the wider project.

Deliverables

• 3D models of geothermal properties and resource potential for the three study areas, including heat resource, fluid flow rate and recommended development strategy
• Presentation of results to sponsors and at national and international conferences
• Papers summarising the outcome of the work for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Training

This PhD is part-funded by the UK Energy Futures Consortium, which will provide a collaborative and dynamic research environment. Training will be provided in seismic and well log interpretation, and geothermal modelling as well as science communication.

We require a versatile, numerate geoscience graduate (minimum 2:1 BSc, and an MSc in geoscience with merit), preferably with prior experience of subsurface modelling as well as MatLab and/or Python. It is expected that the successful candidate will have excellent organizational and communication skills.