Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Queen's University Belfast; Belfast; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen's University Belfast seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the GEMINI geothermal energy project. This fixed-term position involves undertaking impactful research in geothermal resource assessment and management, offering a unique opportunity within a collaborative project supported by PEACEPLUS funding.

Benefits

Commitment to equality of opportunity

Access to staff networks such as iRise and PRISM

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant disciplines with strong geothermal resource assessment background.
• Track record in evaluating geothermal resources and data integration.
• Ability to manage key project sections and communicate complex information.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research tasks for the GEMINI geothermal energy project.
• Collect and evaluate field data to develop geothermal resource models.
• Work collaboratively with project partners.

Skills

Assessment of geothermal resources

Communication

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD in Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Fibre-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing

Geophysical borehole logging

Numerical heat & transport modelling

Job description

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The School of Natural and Built Environment is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the €20/£17.3m multi-partner, all-island geothermal energy demonstration project GEMINI, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The PEACEPLUS programme is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland administration.

The Research Fellow will undertake research tasks during the project with the support of the project’s coinvestigators based at Queen’s University Belfast and the network of project partners. The post is fixed-term for 36 months, starting 1st September 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter). A key component of the post is to collect and evaluate field characterisation and monitoring data to develop geothermal resource models for individual project demonstration sites.

About the person:

Successful candidates need to:

• Have a PhD in Geology, Hydrogeology, Geophysics, Engineering or a related discipline with a strong background in the assessment of geothermal resources and related modelling approaches.
• Demonstrate a track record of research in the evaluation of geothermal resources potential and interpretation and integration of relevant field data into models.
• Demonstrate the ability to devise, advise on and manage key sections in major projects.
• Demonstrate sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Show a proven ability to communicate complex information clearly and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.

Additionally, it is desirable that successful candidates:

• Demonstrate strong expertise in related research areas such as subsurface characterisation, hydrogeology, borehole geophysics and numerical heat & transport modelling.
• Demonstrate experience in the characterisation and monitoring of geothermal resources, in particular the use of Fibre-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing and geophysical borehole logging.
• Show proven experience in numerical heat & transport modelling.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application -