PhD Studentship - MINELOOP: Investigating MINEwater Systems using Closed-LOOP Geothermal Technologies

Application deadline: All year round

Research theme: Minewater geothermal

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

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.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Geothermal energy supports net zero targets and energy security by providing a reliable, low-carbon, local energy source. Minewater geothermal systems represent a largely untapped resource that often coincides with major population centres across the UK, but their use has been limited by technical uncertainties in open-loop systems. This PhD project will investigate the interactions between borehole heat exchangers (BHEs)/closed-loop technology and flooded minewater systems, with the aim of developing low-risk, high-performance geothermal energy solutions. The PhD will examine high-density polyethylene U-tube systems suspended in minewater voids, focussing on: i) their comparative performance to grouted BHEs, ii) the influence of minewater circulation on thermal efficiency and heat plume evolution; iii) predicting flow pathways in a real-world case study emulating a system with high throughflow rates and their implications for system performance; and iv) the potential of thermal energy storage to enhance overall efficiency.

The project will apply a mixed-methods approach combining numerical modelling, field experimentation, and hydrothermal analysis. Numerical simulations will be carried out using FEFLOW (or COMSOL/alternative) to represent coupled heat, flow, and transport processes in minewater systems, with additional model development and customisation undertaken in MATLAB or Python to extend capabilities and explore sensitivity analyses. Experimental data from controlled experiments at the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory will provide direct evidence of hydro-thermal responses and subsurface characterisation, which will help to determine sustainable resource use when coupled to a suspended U-tube system. All datasets will be integrated into a comprehensive data analysis workflow, using statistical and forward modelling methods to calibrate and validate numerical models. This combined approach ensures robust understanding of heat exchanger/minewater interactions and supports the development of predictive tools and operational guidelines for effective deployment.

The student will receive a comprehensive programme of training to support both technical and professional development. Core technical training will include in-house numerical modelling sessions, supplemented by access to specialised FEFLOW online courses to build expertise in coupled heat and flow simulations.

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.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor, Dr Christopher Brown. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.