Research Associate (534093)

Type of Employment :Fixed-term

Working Hours :Full-time

FTE: 1.0 (35 hours per week)

Term: Fixed (18 months)

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate for the EPSRC funded GigaWatt-Hour Subsurface Thermal Energy Storage: Engineered structures and legacy Mine shafts: STEaM. The STEaM project brings together expertise in civil engineering, geomechanics, geochemistry and energy systems, from University of Strathclyde, the University of Edinburgh and 9 project partners. STEaM seeks to explore the use of flooded, abandoned mineshafts for short term, interseasonal and multi-year thermal storage.

The Research Associate will carry out baseline hydrogeological and geochemical sampling, develop geochemical and hydrogeological site monitoring during the experiments: including isotope analysis; analysis and integration of the data from the baseline and during heat injections. You will perform lab analyses of fluid flow and thermal properties of the wall rocks; assessment of mineral composition and sulfide mineral isotopic signatures to inform hydrochemical risk assessment. You will conduct PHREEQC modelling to assess water-rock and water-shaft lining interactions for likely heat scenarios. You will assist the PI in the management of the field trial research, installation and operations; liaise with experimental equipment subcontractors and other stakeholders (landowner, regulatory liaison); and help with development and delivery of stakeholder workshops and demonstrator days. You will also help in development of best practice technical guidance for mineshaft thermal energy storage site appraisal.

You should be able to work both independently and collaboratively. Research will be written up for publication in collaboration with colleagues, and results disseminated via peer reviewed journal publications and presentation at conferences. You will join external networks to share information and ideas, inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding. You would join the highly multidisciplinary and collegiate Civil and Environmental Engineering department and work with STEaM delivery team colleagues in Strathclyde’s Energy Systems Research Unit and Edinburgh’s School of Geoscience.

To be considered for the role, you will be educated to a minimum of PhD level in an appropriate discipline, e.g., Geology, Earth Sciences, Hydrogeology, or cognate discipline. You will have sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge in groundwater resources, thermogeology, applied geochemistry, and geological engineering and be developing the capacity to conduct individual research work, to disseminate results and to prepare research proposals. You will have an ability to plan and organise your own workload effectively and an ability to work within a team environment. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Prof Zoe Shipton, (zoe.shipton@strath.ac.uk).

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