PhD in Novel Cement Innovations for Carbon capture and Storage (CCS) Wells

This PhD will work towards developing novel cementitious materials to improve the long-term integrity of carbon dioxide storage wells. Working closely with industry partner SLB (Schlumberger), you will design novel cement additives and investigate how cement and steel–cement interfaces behave under harsh, supercritical carbon dioxide conditions with varying level of impurities present in carbon dioxide flue gases to understand the role of impurities on steel-cement interface performance. Advanced microstructural and chemical analyses will be used to understand degradation mechanisms and inform predictive models for safer well designs. <br /> <br /> Ensuring secure carbon dioxide storage is critical to achieving net-zero emissions and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), and 13 (Climate Action). By enhancing wellbore integrity, your research will help unlock the large-scale deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a key climate change mitigation technology. <br /> <br /> You will be supervised by Dr Yuvaraj Dhandapani and Dr. Richard Barker within the Institute of Functional Surfaces (iFS) at the University of Leeds. This PhD benefits from world-class facilities including the Bragg Centre for Materials Research, Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Centre (LEMAS), and UKCRIC infrastructure materials testing labs, offering a unique training environment combining cutting-edge materials characterisation, corrosion testing, and industrial collaboration. <br /> <br /> Interested? Discuss this PhD Opportunity with Dr. Yuvaraj Dhandapani by contacting: y.dhandapani@leeds.ac.uk

<p style="margin-top:7px; margin-bottom:13px"><strong>Background:</strong></p> <p>This research will be a part of a large multidisciplinary research on solutions for CCS applications. Carbon dioxide leakage due to failure of the cement sheath and the steel-cement interface is a critical concern for the CCS infrastructure. This PhD project aims to develop novel high performance cement additives and evaluate the performance of these cements upon to exposure to harsh supercritical carbon dioxide-rich conditions simulating cement-steel interface present in the CCS injection well with varying levels of impurities present in carbon dioxide streams. Advanced microstructural analysis of cement degradation and corrosion products in steel-cement interfaces will be developed to inform predictive models for safer well designs using novel high-performance cementitious materials to accelerate CCS for climate change mitigation. The researcher will closely with SLB (Schlumberger) who will support the project as industry advisors.</p> <p><strong>Research objectives:</strong></p> <p>1) Aim:</p> <p>To investigate the degradation mechanisms of cement and steel–cement systems in carbon dioxide storage wells and develop novel high-performance cementitious materials that enhance well integrity under harsh conditions.</p> <p>2) Objectives</p> <ul> <li>Develop advanced cementitious materials with improved resistance to chemical and mechanical deterioration in simulated CCS well environments.</li> <li>Characterise corrosion and degradation processes in cement and steel–cement interfaces under supercritical carbon dioxide conditions with varying impurities.</li> <li>Assess the impact of impurities (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, water, salts) on accelerating cement and steel degradation.</li> <li>Develop microstructurally informed predictive models linking material degradation to long-term well performance, enabling safer and more reliable CCS well designs.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Training and Career Development</strong></p> <p>The student will receive comprehensive training in cement chemistries, advanced materials characterisation, and corrosion testing at HTHP. They will have access to workshops, doctoral training events, and industrial placements through Schlumberger. As a PhD researcher, you will gain comprehensive training in:</p> <ul> <li>Cement chemistry and materials design, with hands-on experience in developing and testing high-performance cementitious systems.</li> <li>Advanced characterisation techniques, including X-ray tomography, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and electrochemical testing of cement–steel interfaces.</li> <li>Corrosion science, with exposure to supercritical carbon dioxide and impurity-rich environments under high-pressure/high-temperature conditions.</li> </ul> <p>PGRs will be encouraged to participate in international conferences, journal publications to support academic visibility and employability in sectors such as energy, materials science, and climate-focused engineering. You will also develop transferable skills in data analysis, technical writing, and scientific communication. This unique training environment will prepare you for careers in academia, energy and infrastructure industries, and climate-focused engineering, aligned with the global transition to net-zero.</p> <p><strong>Skills Required</strong></p> <p>This interdisciplinary project is aligned with global net-zero goals and offers industrial collaboration with Schlumberger. The research is aligned with facilities and research expertise in iFS and would develop researcher for in-demand skills in cutting edge field such as CCS infrastructure.</p> <p> We are looking for a motivated researcher with:</p> <ul> <li>Strong interest in cement chemistry, corrosion, or materials science.</li> <li>Curiosity and problem-solving skills to tackle complex degradation mechanisms in CCS environments.</li> <li>Enthusiasm for working across disciplines, from chemistry and engineering to climate technologies.</li> <li>Willingness to engage with advanced laboratory experiments and to collaborate with both academic and industrial partners.</li> </ul> <p>Prior experience with materials characterisation, cement/concrete testing, or corrosion analysis is beneficial but not essential, training will be provided.</p> <p><strong>The Research Environment</strong></p> <p>This PhD will be hosted at the Institute of Functional Surfaces (iFS), University of Leeds, a world-leading centre for corrosion, surface engineering, and advanced materials research. iFS has a diverse portfolio of over £10m in funding and supports more than 60 PhD students and 20 research fellows working on cutting-edge projects in materials science and infrastructure durability. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities including:</p> <ul> <li>Bragg Centre for Materials Research – world-class X-ray-based techniques for characterising steel-cement interfaces at the micro- and nanoscale.</li> <li>Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Centre (LEMAS) – advanced microscopy and spectroscopy for analysing cement and corrosion products.</li> <li>Centre for Infrastructure Materials – micro-CT and electrochemical testing facilities to assess ageing and degradation of steel-cement systems.</li> <li>High-pressure carbon dioxide corrosion laboratories – enabling exposure of steel-cement systems to supercritical carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other impurities under realistic well conditions.</li> </ul> <p>The University of Leeds is part of the Henry Royce Institute, giving additional access to cutting-edge materials characterisation and training opportunities. Combined with strong industrial collaboration with SLB (Schlumberger), this environment offers an unparalleled platform for interdisciplinary research, equipping the PhD researcher with expertise and skills in materials development, corrosion science, and predictive modelling for CCS infrastructure.</p> <p><strong>Our Commitment to an Inclusive, Equitable and Diverse Research Community: </strong>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</p> <p>We can help support your application! – Contact our <a href="https://contextualoutreach.leeds.ac.uk/pgr-diversity/access-to-research/">Access to Research Team</a></p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <strong><em>EPSRC DTP Engineering & Physical Science</em>s </strong>and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong><em>PhD in Novel Cement Innovations for Carbon capture and Storage (CCS) Wells</em> </strong>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-engineering-physical-sciences/staff/8900/dr-yuvaraj-dhandapani">Dr Yuvaraj Dhandapani</a> as your proposed supervisor.  <em><strong>Please state in the Finance section that you are applying for the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award 2026/27: Mechanical Engineering.</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 14 November 2025:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>A highly competitive EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 in academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is only 2 funded place(s) available and there are 17 projects in competition for this funding.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJ.S.Hewer%40leeds.ac.uk%7C07632c93c06a442dca3d08ddfc172939%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638943898649349324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nylGSov8jOc7hr6X%2FmfnfQPecbVUnGqgoSqVgPGy5K0%3D&reserved=0">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Yuvaraj Dhandapani by email to <a href="mailto:Y.Dhandapani@leeds.ac.uk">Y.Dhandapani@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>