PhD Studentship - Utilisation of CO2 for Subsurface Energy Extraction

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 research focuses on developing computational frameworks for various techniques of utilising CO2 for extracting heat from geothermal sources. These techniques include but are not limited to CO2-Plume-Geothermal (CPG), CO2 brine geothermal, CO2 use in chemical heat pumps, CO2 Allam Cycle, etc. The objective is to develop simulation techniques and computer programmes that can estimate the energy efficiency, exergy/thermodynamic analysis, multi-phase flow performance in porous media, and techno-economical analysis of utilising CO2.

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline. Knowledge of computer programming is highly desirable.