PhD Studentship: Determining the 4D Groundwater Flow Distribution in a Mined Karstic Limestone Catchment University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

This PhD studentship at the University of Birmingham offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the 4D distribution of groundwater flow in a mined karstic limestone catchment. The project addresses the complex and highly variable nature of water movement in karstic limestone systems, which are characterized by dissolution-enhanced conduit development and heterogeneous rock masses. Understanding these systems is crucial for both environmental protection and deep engineering projects, as they exhibit non-stationary and non-linear hydrological behavior.

The research will focus on a catchment in the Carboniferous Limestone of the English Peak District, utilizing a large, deep limestone quarry with extensive datasets collected over decades. These datasets include water levels, flow rates, tracer tests, and recently drilled deep boreholes to explore subsurface flow systems. The project aims to develop innovative methods for determining groundwater flow distributions in three dimensions and how these distributions change over time, using both field and numerical modelling approaches.

As a student, you will have access to advanced equipment such as ground-probing radar, hydrogeological field chemical and hydraulic testing tools, drones, photogrammetry software, and specialist groundwater flow modelling software. The project is supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team with expertise spanning geosciences, engineering, and environmental science. Supervisors include John Gunn, Simiao Sun, Christopher Bradley, Robert Yates (Cemex), and John Tellam.

Applicants should be enthusiastic, hard-working, and capable of original thinking, with a background in geosciences, engineering, pure sciences, or mathematics. You will be expected to participate in fieldwork and analysis, including numerical modelling. Training is provided, including access to the University’s MSc Course in Hydrogeology, ensuring you develop the necessary skills for this ambitious research.

The application deadline is 5 April 2026. Funding information is not specified in the position description. For further details and to apply, visit the University of Birmingham’s postgraduate application portal. This studentship is ideal for those interested in hydrogeology, environmental science, and multidisciplinary research in earth sciences.