Postdoctoral Research Associate - Geological Hydrogen Storage

Overview

The University of Edinburgh is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Geological Hydrogen Storage within the School of GeoSciences, part of the College of Science and Engineering. This full time academic research position offers an opportunity to contribute to cutting edge research focused on subsurface hydrogen systems and clean energy technologies.

The successful candidate will support the University of Edinburgh's contribution to the Horizon Europe Clean Hydrogen project H2-QUEST. The project aims to improve understanding of hydrogen source rocks and quantify hydrogen generation and release rates under subsurface relevant conditions. The research focuses on developing experimental and modelling approaches to better characterize hydrogen generation processes in geological settings.

The postholder will lead the University's experimental programme using high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) batch reactors and implement real time monitoring of hydrogen production using in situ microsensors. Responsibilities include analysing and interpreting experimental datasets, integrating results with thermodynamic and kinetic geochemical modelling, and constraining hydrogen generation rates across different geological environments. The role also involves producing robust, well documented datasets for consortium partners, contributing to project reporting and scientific publications, and collaborating closely with international research partners within the project consortium.

The position is based within a world leading research environment at the University of Edinburgh, which provides strong interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced facilities. The role is laboratory based and requires regular on site attendance during experimental work, with limited remote working permitted for specific tasks subject to agreement with the line manager.

The appointment is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term for approximately 16 months. The successful candidate will join an international research collaboration and contribute to advancing knowledge of natural hydrogen generation relevant to future low carbon energy systems.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD (awarded or submitted by the start date) in geochemistry, geoenergy, chemistry, chemical engineering with a geoscience focus, or a closely related discipline. Candidates should demonstrate strong research capability and the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within an international collaborative research environment.

Required Expertise / Skills

• Experience with experimental geochemistry and reactor based laboratory experiments, particularly involving high pressure and high temperature experimental systems or similar high integrity laboratory setups.
• Strong knowledge of water-rock-gas reactions and redox processes relevant to hydrogen generation.
• Experience with thermodynamic and/or kinetic geochemical modelling using platforms such as PHREEQC, Geochemist's Workbench, TOUGHREACT, CrunchFlow, or similar tools.
• Experience with analytical techniques for reactive geological systems.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills using tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Ability to communicate research outcomes effectively within a multidisciplinary project environment.

Salary and Benefits

Salary details: Grade UE07 - £41,064 - £48,822 per annum.

Additional benefits include generous annual leave and public holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family friendly initiatives, wellbeing support, and professional development and training opportunities.