PhD Studentship in Chemical Engineering

School/Department: Engineering
Location: University of Nottingham
Reference: ENG291
Closing Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026

Background

The transition to renewable energy brings the critical challenge of reliable and robust energy storage. Conventional battery storage solutions require high capital investment and rely on lithium, a heavily mined resource.

This project explores an innovative alternative: using land at the base of wind or solar farms to store energy. By pumping water into a sealed flexible membrane beneath a mass of soil, solar energy can be converted into pressure potential energy, mimicking traditional pumped hydro storage but without large elevation differences.

While conceptually promising, this approach poses geotechnical challenges, including cyclical loading and soil–membrane interface effects. The project will use one of the UK’s leading geotechnical centrifuge testing laboratories to model and address these challenges, enabling scalable deployment of this method.

Candidates should have a background in geotechnics or soil mechanics at the undergraduate level.

Skills You’ll Gain

Under the supervision of Charlie Heron and colleagues, the student will gain:

• Expert knowledge of centrifuge modelling challenges and solutions

• Advanced programming and data analysis skills

• Experience communicating complex and novel research effectively

• Opportunities to develop lab demonstration and teaching experience

• Confidence in addressing problems with uncertain outcomes and undefined final solutions

Desirable Skills (Advantageous, Not Required)

• Data analysis skills in Python

• Interest in energy policy or the economics of energy

• Experience in numerical modelling

Eligibility

• Open to UK nationals, and in exceptional circumstances international applicants with a strong application

• The studentship is fully funded for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees and a UKRI tax-free stipend of approximately £20,780

• Funding will be secured from the University of Nottingham after a suitable candidate is identified

How to Apply

Interested candidates should contact the supervisor directly via email with the subject line:
“UPHS PhD”

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com