PhD Studentship - MINELOOP: Investigating MINEwater Systems using Closed-LOOP Geothermal Technologies
Overview
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester offers a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship called MINELOOP, on minewater systems and closed-loop geothermal technology. Geothermal energy supports net zero and energy security as a reliable, low-carbon, local source. Minewater geothermal is a largely untapped resource that often lies close to major UK population centres, but open-loop systems have been held back by technical uncertainties.
What you will do
The project investigates how borehole heat exchangers and closed-loop technology interact with flooded minewater systems, with the aim of low-risk, high-performance geothermal solutions. It examines high-density polyethylene U-tube systems suspended in minewater voids, comparing their performance with grouted heat exchangers, studying how minewater circulation affects thermal efficiency and heat plume evolution, predicting flow pathways in a real-world case study with high throughflow, and assessing thermal energy storage. The approach mixes numerical modelling, field experiments and hydrothermal analysis. Simulations use FEFLOW or COMSOL, with extra development in MATLAB or Python, and controlled experiments at the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory provide data to calibrate and validate the models and support predictive tools and operational guidelines. Training includes in-house modelling sessions and specialised FEFLOW online courses.
Who can apply
Students eligible to pay tuition fees at the Home rate can apply for the funded place. Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master's, or the international equivalent, in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
What you get
The successful candidate receives a tax-free annual stipend at the UKRI rate, 21,805 GBP for 2026/27, with tuition fees paid, and the stipend is expected to rise each year.
How to apply
Candidates should contact the main supervisor, giving their current level of study, academic background, relevant experience and a paragraph on their motivation for the project.
Key dates
Applications are accepted all year round, with a listed deadline of 28 December 2026, though early applications are recommended because the advert may be removed before the deadline.
Links in this posting
- 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.
- 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.