Current opportunities 


 

Vacancy for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Experimental Assessment of Geological Electricity Storage: Testing the GeoBattery concept

NORMS currently has a vacancy for a PDRA to join the NORMS Laboratory.  The project will use experimental methods to deliver the first ‘proof of concept’ of a novel approach to very large-scale storage of electrical energy in natural underground geological reservoirs. Efficient, cost-effective technology for large-scale electricity storage is essential to manage the intermittency of renewable supply.  Underground storage in geological reservoirs offers use of natural materials in-situ at very large-scale.  The project will test the concept of a ‘geobattery’ comprising two porous sandstone reservoirs that are naturally separated by a shale or mudstone layer that acts as a semi-permeable membrane.  It will use and extend existing experimental methods and apparatus developed in the NORMS Laboratory that provides a close analogue for the geobattery concept.

For more details and how to apply, see here.

PhD projects to start in 2024

NORMS is offering six PhD projects to start in 2024, eligible for funding via scholarships hosted by the Department of Earth Science and Engineering:

  • Efficient numerical modelling of subsurface hydrogen storage for low carbon energy (description)
  • Developing the world’s largest geobattery: ultra-high-temperature underground thermal energy storage for large-scale electricity storage in the UK (description)
  • Electrokinetic enhanced in-situ resource utilisation (EK-ISRU) for green copper production (description)
  • Fluid dynamics of magma reservoirs (description)
  • Storage and transport of microplastics in groundwater (description)
  • Rapid modelling of reactive flow using Machine Learning (description)

For application instructions, see the dedicated ESE webpage here.  Please note that only UK 'Home' students are eligible for funding from ESE scholarships.  

NORMS also welcomes applications to these projects from students who have secured alternative funding, or who would like to apply to one of Imperial College's  scholarship schemes. Many PhD students join us having secured funding from their government or industry.  Imperial College offers a small number of scholarships; more information can be found here.  If you wish to apply for an IC Scholarship, please contact us at least 6 weeks before you plan to submit.  Please note that NORMS does NOT host self-funded students.  A scholarship to support your research is essential.

We encourage researchers to join NORMS who have already secured, or are looking to secure, independent funding.  A number of schemes are available that provide financial support for RFs and PhD students.  A few of these are listed below; the list is not exhaustive and specific websites should used to check eligibility criteria, application requirement and deadlines.  If you plan to make an application to one of these schemes and wish to join NORMS, please contact us first as outlined below (Prof. Matthew Jackson, m.d.jackson@imperial.ac.uk).

Independent funding opportunities for Research Fellows

Imperial College Research Fellowship.  Application deadline typically in September each year, but check the website.  If you wish to apply for an ICRF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a supporting statement.

EPSRC Research Fellowship.  Applications can be submitted at any time and are processed on a rolling basis. However, Fellowship applications are prioritised twice a year in approximately January / February and July, at  standard-grant panel meetings.  If you wish to apply for an EPSRC RF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before you plan to submit.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a Host Organisation statement.

NERC Fellowships.  NERC offers a range of Fellowship schemes.  Deadlines vary and you should check the specfic scheme(s) of interest to you.  If you wish to apply for an NERC RF scheme, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a Host Organisation statement.

Royal Society University Research Fellowships.  Application deadline typically in September each year, but check the website.  If you wish to apply for Royal Society URF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a Head of Department statement.

Leverhulme Trust Fellowships.  Application deadline typically in November each year, but check the website.  If you wish to apply for Leverhulme Trust RF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a supporting statement.

Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowships.  Application deadline typically in September each year, but check the website.  If you wish to apply for a RA Eng RF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a Head of Department statement. 

Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.  Application deadline typically in November each year, but check the website  You must have 3 or fewer years of post-doctoral experience at the time of application.  If you wish to apply for a RCE 1851 RF, please contact us at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.  We can review your application and also need to prepare a Head of Department letter of acceptance.

European Commission Individual Fellowships.  Application deadline typically in September each year, but check the website.  If you wish to apply for an EU IF, please contact us at least 2 months before the submission deadline. The proposal should be jointly prepared by the applicant and host organisation.