The University of Manchester is offering a fully funded 3.5-year PhD studentship in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering through the MINELOOP research project. The studentship focuses on developing low-risk, high-performance geothermal energy systems using closed-loop technologies in flooded mines. Applicants eligible for UK Home tuition fees can receive full tuition coverage, an annual tax-free stipend, and specialized training in numerical modeling, hydrothermal analysis, and geothermal engineering.
Important Dates / Deadline
- Advertised closing date: December 28, 2026
- Application period: Applications are accepted year-round, according to the project description.
- Application recommendation: Apply early, as the advertisement may be removed before the advertised closing date.
Organization
- University: The University of Manchester
- Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Research project: MINELOOP: Investigating MINEwater Systems using Closed-LOOP Geothermal Technologies
- Research theme: Minewater geothermal
- Main supervisor: Dr. Christopher Brown
Location / Study Destination
Manchester, United Kingdom. This is a full-time PhD research opportunity at the University of Manchester, with experimental research involving data from the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to candidates who:
- Are eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK Home rate.
- Hold or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 honors degree, a Master’s degree, or an international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
- Have an academic background relevant to geothermal energy, engineering, or associated scientific research.
- Demonstrate motivation to undertake doctoral research on closed-loop geothermal technologies and minewater systems.
Eligibility for Home tuition fees is determined according to the university’s tuition fee status guidance.
Key Benefits / Funding
- Scholarship duration: 3.5 years.
- Annual stipend: £21,805 for the 2026/27 academic year.
- Stipend tax status: Tax-free.
- Annual stipend adjustment: Expected to increase each year.
- Tuition coverage: Full tuition fees for eligible Home-rate students.
- Technical training: In-house numerical modeling sessions.
- Specialized courses: Access to FEFLOW online training in coupled heat and flow simulations.
- Research development: Training in computational modeling, field experimentation, hydrothermal analysis, and statistical data interpretation.
Main Requirements
Academic qualifications
Applicants must hold or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 honors degree, a Master’s degree, or an international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
Research focus
The MINELOOP project investigates the interactions between borehole heat exchangers (BHEs), closed-loop geothermal technologies, and flooded minewater systems.
The research will address four principal objectives:
- Compare the thermal performance of high-density polyethylene U-tube systems suspended in minewater voids with conventional grouted borehole heat exchangers.
- Investigate how minewater circulation affects thermal efficiency and heat plume evolution.
- Predict groundwater flow pathways in a real-world case study involving high throughflow rates and assess their implications for geothermal system performance.
- Evaluate the potential of thermal energy storage to improve overall system efficiency.
Research methods and technical activities
The successful candidate will undertake a mixed-methods research program involving:
- Numerical modeling of coupled heat, fluid flow, and transport processes using FEFLOW, COMSOL, or alternative software.
- Model development and customization using MATLAB or Python.
- Sensitivity analysis and predictive geothermal modeling.
- Hydrothermal analysis of flooded minewater systems.
- Analysis of controlled experimental data from the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory.
- Statistical and forward modeling to calibrate and validate numerical simulations.
- Integration of experimental and computational datasets to develop predictive tools and operational guidelines.
The project aims to support the sustainable use of minewater geothermal resources and contribute to low-carbon energy deployment.
How to Apply
Step 1: Review the project and eligibility requirements
Confirm that your academic qualifications meet the entry requirements and that you are eligible for UK Home tuition fees.
Step 2: Contact the main supervisor
Email Dr. Christopher Brown to express your interest in the MINELOOP PhD project.
Supervisor email: christopher.brown-4@manchester.ac.uk
Step 3: Prepare your expression of interest
Include information about:
- Your current level of study.
- Your academic background.
- Relevant academic, technical, or research experience.
- A paragraph explaining your motivation to pursue the MINELOOP PhD project.
Step 4: Complete the university application
Use the University of Manchester postgraduate research application portal to follow the formal application process.
Step 5: Apply early
Although the project description indicates year-round applications, the advertised closing date is December 28, 2026, and the advertisement may be withdrawn earlier.
Documents Needed
Applicants should prepare the following information for their initial contact with the supervisor:
- Current study details: Information about their present academic level.
- Academic background: Details of relevant degrees and qualifications.
- Relevant experience: A summary of academic, technical, or research experience related to the project.
- Motivation statement: A paragraph explaining their interest in the MINELOOP PhD research project.
Important Notes
- Funding is available to applicants eligible for UK Home tuition fees.
- The studentship covers 3.5 years of doctoral research.
- The annual stipend follows the UKRI rate and is expected to increase annually.
- The project combines numerical simulation, field experimentation, and hydrothermal analysis.
- Research will use experimental data from the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory.
- Training includes FEFLOW modeling and coupled heat and flow simulations.
- The project contributes to geothermal energy development, net-zero targets, and energy security.
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the main supervisor and apply early because the advertisement may close before the published deadline.