PhD in Physics

Award Summary 100% fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs will also be provided. Overview We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with interests and skills in computational modelling and simulations, fluid dynamics, mechanical engineering, physics and applied mathematics. You should have experience in one or more of the following: numerical methods, high-performance computing (HPC), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), applied mathematics, physics, engineering or subsurface flow modelling. Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and the ability to think creatively about complex physical systems are just as important as specific technical expertise. This PhD project—High-Fidelity Simulations of Geological CO2 Sequestration (SIGECOS)—aims to advance our understanding of how supercritical CO2 behaves when injected into deep saline aquifers. Using cutting-edge numerical methods and high-resolution simulations, you will explore key physical processes governing CO2 plume migration, trapping mechanisms, and fluid–rock interaction under realistic subsurface conditions. The goal is to generate insights that improve the safety, efficiency, and predictability of geological CO2 sequestration and storage. You will have the opportunity to co-shape the direction of the project, tailoring the modelling approaches, physical focus areas, or computational strategies to your interests—whether that involves large-scale reservoir simulation, pore-scale physics or supercritical CO2 behaviour. The project will be developed within a vibrant research environment, and may link to a broader programme on high-fidelity modelling for net-zero technologies.