PhD: Fundamentals of Carbon Dioxide Storage by Mineralisation to Carbonate Minerals Imperial College London in United Kingdom

This PhD opportunity is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Green Industrial Futures (CDT-GIF), hosted at Imperial College London and supported by leading UK universities and industrial partners. The project focuses on the fundamental laboratory investigation of carbon dioxide storage through mineralisation to carbonate minerals, specifically examining the kinetics of chemical reactions between basaltic minerals and water-saturated free supercritical or liquid CO2 phases. These reactions are central to engineered carbon sequestration and have significant implications for industrial decarbonisation and the physics of subsurface multiphase reactive transport.

Industrial demonstration projects in Iceland and the USA have shown vigorous mineralisation when CO2 is injected into subsurface basalt formations, either as free CO2 or dissolved in water. However, dissolving CO2 into water is costly and requires much higher fluid injection volumes compared to pure CO2. This research aims to determine how mineralisation reaction kinetics differ between these injection methods, providing insights that could shape future industrial carbon storage projects.

The CDT-GIF programme offers a four-year, fully funded studentship starting in September 2026, including full UK tuition fees, a tax-free stipend (£20,780 for 2025/2026 plus approximately £2,000 London weighting), and a budget for travel and consumables. Students benefit from residential taught courses at partner universities, training in life cycle analysis, technoeconomics, business models, policy and regulation, public engagement, and plant operation. Additional opportunities include international placements, work experience with industrial partners, and participation in a bespoke net-zero leadership programme.

Applicants should hold a First-class or 2:1 MEng or MSc with merit (over 60%) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Geoscience, or a related discipline. Candidates with a relevant MA for socio-politico-economic research topics or a First-class BSc/BEng (Hons) with significant industry or research experience may also be considered. All applicants must meet the entry requirements of Imperial College London.

To apply, candidates should review the eligibility criteria and submit their application via the CDT Green Industrial Futures portal. Enquiries can be directed to [email protected]. The programme is designed for top-performing junior researchers seeking to contribute to the UK's net zero ambitions through innovative research and professional development.