PhD Studentship - (UoM-Peking) Mineral–Fluid–Rock Interactions for Sustainable Subsurface Energy Technologies

Subsurface geological formations play a vital role in supporting the energy transition, including geothermal energy extraction, geological CO₂ storage and underground energy storage. The performance and long-term integrity of these systems are strongly influenced by interactions between fluids, minerals and fractured rocks. Understanding these coupled processes is therefore essential for developing safe, efficient and sustainable subsurface energy technologies.

This interdisciplinary PhD project will investigate fundamental mineral–fluid–rock interactions, with particular emphasis on mineral crystallisation, interfacial processes and their relationships with the hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of fractured rocks. The research will integrate environmental geochemistry and mineral–water interface science with experimental rock mechanics and fracture characterisation. Depending on the expertise and background of the successful candidate, specific investigations may include mineral nucleation and crystal growth, mineral–surface interactions, geochemical reactions in confined environments, and the evolution of fracture properties under coupled chemical and physical processes.

The project is jointly supervised by researchers at The University of Manchester and Peking University, bringing together complementary expertise in environmental geochemistry, mineral crystallisation, rock mechanics and subsurface engineering. The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary research training and gain access to complementary experimental and analytical capabilities at both institutions.

The PhD follows a 1+2+1 structure, with Years 1 and 4 based at The University of Manchester and Years 2-3 at Peking University. Applications are welcomed from candidates with backgrounds in environmental engineering, geoscience, geochemistry, chemical engineering, civil engineering or related disciplines.

Manchester entry is open to UK and international students. Chinese nationals from Mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong, including dual nationals, should apply through Peking.

For full eligibly and funding information, please see our dedicated page here PhD dual award - Manchester and Peking University | Science and Engineering Faculty

NB: All projects advertised under the UoM-Peking University dual award scheme are competition-funded and not all projects advertised will offer a place on the programme.

Please contact the main supervisor Dr Junlong Shang in advance of an application to discuss your experience and 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.

To be considered for this project, you must complete a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account, this link will directly open an application for the Manchester-Peking programme. If you don’t already have an applicant account, please follow the instructions here.

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project as displayed on this page including UoM-Peking at the beginning, the name of your supervisor, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. Please, enter “Dual award funding” in the field asking about how you’re planning on funding your research.

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