Research Fellow in Energy Geostructures

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for a new challenge? Do you have expertise in ground energy systems and energy geostructures, especially their thermal analysis and design? Do you want to join an expanding research team at a leading UK university?

Heating and cooling of buildings is a key priority for global decarbonisation due to the scale of the demand and the current reliance on fossil fuels. Energy geostructures, where Civil Engineering substructures are connected to ground source heat pump systems, offer a novel solution to this challenge. Appropriate design of energy geostructures requires consideration of the thermal behaviour and associated energy assessment. At the University of Leeds, our dynamic energy geotechnics team are leading research in this growing area. We would like to recruit someone to lead our research in design and analysis of diaphragm walls used for thermal energy extraction.

As part of an exciting EPSRC-FAPESP project, Efficient Ground Energy Systems in Diaphragm Walls in Challenging Conditions , led by Professor Fleur Loveridge, you will lead innovative research into the design and analysis of energy retaining walls used as ground heat exchangers. The project aims to encourage the adoption of energy retaining walls through provision of better guidance. It will involve a mixture of laboratory and field scale testing and a range of computational techniques carried out across three Universities – University of Leeds, University of Dundee and University of Sao Paulo. In particular, the project will:

• Understand the impact of temporary and spatial variation in ground properties on heat transfer and stress/strain conditions in the walls;
• Develop and test models of heat flow around the walls, as well as implement them for routine use;
• Develop and test new approaches for geotechnical design for energy retaining walls. 

This role will be based at the university of Leeds campus and there is scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Professor Fleur Loveridge , Professor of Geo-Energy Engineering

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 2248

Email: [email protected]

Location:  Leeds – Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School/Institute:  School of Civil Engineering
Category:  Research
Grade: 
Grade 7
Salary: 
£37,099 to £44,263
p.a.
Due to funding restrictions, an appointment will not be made higher than £39,347 p.a.
Working Time:  37.5 hours per week
Post Type: 
Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (21 months – To complete specific time limited work.)
Release Date:  Wednesday 13 March 2024
Closing Date:  Wednesday 27 March 2024
Reference:  EPSCV1131
Downloads:  Candidate Brief