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

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded PhD

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for a 3.5-year, fully funded PhD project on minewater geothermal energy. The successful candidate receives an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate and tuition fees paid.

The project combines numerical modelling, field experimentation, and hydrothermal analysis to develop high-performance, low-risk geothermal solutions. Research will explore BHEs, suspended U-tubes in minewater, and potential thermal energy storage.

Qualifications

• At least a 2.1 honours degree or master's in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
• Experience with numerical modelling and software tools for heat and flow simulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive research approach.

Responsibilities

• Investigate interactions between borehole heat exchangers, minewater systems and closed-loop tech.
• Develop and validate numerical models using FEFLOW/COMSOL; extend with MATLAB or Python.
• Collaborate on field experiments and integrate data into a unified analysis workflow.

Skills

Numerical modelling

MATLAB

Python

FEFLOW

Education

2.1 honours degree

Master's degree

Tools

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Application deadline: All year round

Research theme: Minewater geothermal

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.