Peter Burgess

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Liverpool on H2 and CO2 storage in Lower Triassic sandstones in the East Irish Sea Basin . The project investigates the potential of the Sherwood Sandstone Group and related saline aquifers for hydrogen storage and carbon dioxide sequestration . The research combines interpretation of wireline logs from more than 100 wells, 3D seismic data, and onshore fieldwork across NW England, including classic Sherwood Sandstone outcrops and visits to the BGS core store. You will use Petrel and Techlog to map reservoir architecture, thickness, porosity, clay content, structural configuration, and trapping geometries beneath the Mercia Mudstone Group caprock. The work is embedded in an Eni-funded multi-university programme with supervisory input from Liverpool, Durham, and Manchester, and includes engagement with Eni geoscience staff. This PhD is ideal for candidates interested in Earth Science , Environmental Science , sedimentology, structural geology, seismic interpretation, and reservoir characterisation for the energy transition. Training in software and workflows is built into the project, and the successful applicant will contribute to recommendations on geologically suitable storage locations. Eligibility: applicants should have, or be due to obtain, a relevant Bachelor's or Master's degree. If applying with an MSc, a minimum overall mark of 65% is required. The studentship is open to both home and international students. Funding: full tuition fees plus a maintenance grant for 3.5 years at UKRI standard rates, with additional research training support for consumables and conference attendance. How to apply: submit the University of Liverpool postgraduate research application form, include project reference ENVI003 , and provide the requested supporting documents.

Three fully funded PhD opportunities in geology are available at the University of Liverpool in the East Irish Sea Basin, focused on hydrogen storage , CO2 storage , Triassic sedimentology , palaeogeography , and source-to-sink modelling . Project 1: Hydrogen storage in engineered caverns in Mid–Upper Triassic salt. This project characterises Triassic salt beneath the East Irish Sea as a potential hydrogen storage site using well logs, 3D seismic data, Petrel, Techlog, and fieldwork in salt mines and core stores. Project 2: H2 and CO2 Storage in Lower Triassic Sandstones. This project assesses Lower Triassic Sherwood Sandstone reservoirs for hydrogen and CO2 storage in saline aquifers, combining well logs, seismic interpretation, outcrop logging, and core-store visits. Project 3: Quantitative Palaeogeography and Source-to-Sink Modelling of the UK Triassic. This project uses the open-source goSPL landscape evolution model and Python-based numerical modelling to reconstruct Triassic sediment routing and predict reservoir/seal heterogeneity. All three projects are industry funded by Eni and include full tuition coverage, a maintenance stipend for 3.5 years at UKRI rates, and additional research training support funding. The projects are based at Liverpool with supervisory input from Durham and Manchester, and involve collaboration with Eni geoscience staff in London and potentially Milan. Eligibility: candidates should have, or be due to obtain, a 2.1 Bachelors degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Exceptional candidates with relevant experience may also be considered. For the quantitative project, a strong quantitative background and some coding experience are helpful. Application: apply online through the University of Liverpool postgraduate research application form. Include the relevant project title and reference number (ENVI001, ENVI002, or ENVI003). Deadline: 30 June 2026.