Research Associate in Subsurface Storage

The University of Manchester - Science and Engineering - Department of Chemical Engineering - School of Engineering

Job reference: SAE-030865

Salary: £37,694 - £46,049 per annum, depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Department of Chemical Engineering

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 13/04/2026

Contract Duration: 12 months

School/Directorate: School of Engineering

Background

Hydrogen storage will be required to support the UK hydrogen strategy, aiming for the capacity to generate 10GW hydrogen annually by 2030. Underground storage is an important part of the supply chain, allowing excess renewable energy to be captured as hydrogen. Underground hydrogen storage in porous media has been recognised as large-scale (~GWh) storage options in areas remote from natural beds of halite and provide alternative options for storage in areas near halite basins.

This project will focus on collecting experimental research data and engagement with stakeholders to disseminate these research results Research will focus on multi-scale investigation of the storage efficiency and mineral alterations during underground cyclic hydrogen storage, in porous media to understand the short-term and long-term effects. The candidate will have access to National X-ray Computed Tomography, Henry Royce Institute, and Diamond Light Source. The candidate is expected to lead and perform X-ray tomography experiments, geochemistry characterisation, microstructure quantification and relevant fluid behaviour measurements. The candidate will collaborate with the British Geological Survey and Heriot Watt University and will benefit from interactions with other team members on underground storage, including carbon storage and hydrogen storage.

Overall, Purpose of the Job

The purpose of this post-doctoral research associate position is to engage with stakeholders, and design and undertake experiments to understand the fluid behaviours for storage efficiency and the mineral alterations to understand the environmental impacts during cyclic storage.

The job will have three main components:

• Coordination and planning research with partners at the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Heriot Watt University (HWU) and subsequent integration of research data
• Data collation and static analysis, including microstructure characterisation, pore network quantification, and mechanical properties and chemical properties measurements
• Imaging data collection and analysis design and perform in-situ X-ray tomography experiments for fluids behaviours and mineral alterations and analyse the resulting imaging data.
• Knowledge transfer to research collaborators, industrial partners and public.

What will you get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our university is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.