PhD and MPhil opportunities
The Basin Dynamics Research Group offers the following opportunities in PhD research for 2022. Please note that the closing date for 2022/23 PhD applications is Friday 18 February 2022 at 5pm.
The following projects are offered for two competitive studentships under the CDT in Geoscience for the Energy Transition.
Mapping geothermal potential of Carboniferous sandstone aquifers using legacy coal and oil exploration data
Keele University in collaboration with the British Geological Survey.
Supervisors: Dr Ian G Simpson (Keele), Dr Bernard Besly (Keele), Dr Graham Leslie (BGS), & Prof. Stuart, D. Burley (Keele)
Stratigraphical models for aeolian-marine margins: implications for subsurface CO2 migration and trapping
Keele University in collaboration with the University of Oslo, the British Geological Survey, the University of Texas & Utah Geological Survey.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart M. Clarke (Keele), Dr Andrew J. Mitten (Keele), Dr Val Zuchuat (Oslo), Tom Dodd (BGS), Dr David Cousins (Texas) and Dr Doug Spinkle (UGS).
The controls upon aeolian cyclicity: implications for reservoir-scale heterogeneity
Keele University in collaboration with the University of Texas, Georgia Southern University & the British Geological Survey.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart M. Clarke (Keele), Dr Andrew J. Mitten (Keele), Dr David Cousins (Texas) & Dr Travis Swanson (Georgia)
3D regional thermal modelling of the crust: application to the geothermal potential of the Carboniferous ‘Blocks and Basins’ of northern England.
Keele University in collaboration with the British Geological Survey.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart Egan (Keele), Dr Graham Leslie (BGS) and Dr Stuart Clarke (Keele)
Induced seismicity hazard of minewater geothermal projects - linking coal-measure sedimentology to fracture properties: Implications on geothermal prospectivity
Keele University in collaboration with Plymouth University.
Supervisors: Dr Ian G. Stimpson (Keele) and Dr Billy Andrews (Keele).
Unfunded projects
Out with the CDT, the Basin Dynamics Research Group offers the following projects, but they are currently unfunded:
The distribution of bounding surfaces in erg-marginal aeolian sediments: Implications for sub-surface fluid migration.
Keele University in collaboration with University of Oslo, the British Geological Survey, the Utah Geological Survey and Wolverine Gas & Oil.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart Clarke (Keele), Dr Ian Stimpson (Keele), Dr Stuart Egan (Keele), Dr Val Zuchuat (Oslo), Dr Doug Sprinkel (UGS), Dr Dave McCarthy (BGS), Dr Graham Leslie (BGS) & Dr Emily Hardwick (Wolverine G&O).
The structural evolution of fold and thrust belts: implications for the development of associated sedimentary basins and their hydrocarbon potential
Keele University in collaboration with the British Geological Survey.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart M. Clarke (Keele), Prof. Phil C. Richards (Keele) & Dr Graham Leslie (BGS & Keele)
MPhil Opportunities 2022/23
‘MPhil’ is a masters level qualification by research. Candidates undertake one full year of research with up to one further year allowed to ‘write-up’. Examination is by viva, and the production of one scientific journal paper is expected.
MPhil projects typically represent ‘pilot studies’ that have the potential to become PhD projects if they yield appropriate results or prove as-yet-untested concepts. At the end of the research year, MPhil candidates may choose not to submit for MPhil and instead choose to continue their studies for two further years (plus one additional write-up year) to submit for PhD, should the results of their first year of study prove the potential in both the research and the candidate for PhD level work.
By their nature, MPhil projects are a little different to research that may be undertaken as part of a taught MSc course, but many of the projects listed below may be adaptable for study as the research component of Keele's MSc in Geosicence Research. Please contact the lead supervisor for further information.
The Basin Dynamics Research Group offers the following opportunities in MPhil research for 2022/23:
The clastic to Carbonate transition in the Sorbas Basin: causes and implications for palaeogeographical setting
The Sorbas Basin, south-eastern Spain, contains a sedimentary succession that is mixed clastic and carbonate. Early-stage fill is dominantly clastic with deposition taking place in a range of the coastal-marine to deep-water settings (Chozas Fm through to Azagador Mbr of the Turre Fm) the subsequent deposition of sediments is strongly characterized by reefal carbonates and their associated near-shore and deeper water time-equivalents (Cantera and Abad mbrs of the Turre Fm). This transition from a clastic- to carbonate-dominated basin is usually attrbuted to plate tectonic drift and the development of climatic conditions more favourable to tropical carbonate reef development. While this is not in dispute, the development of strong reef system does also imply a shut down of clastic sediment supply over the same time interval; something that thus far remains unexplored. This project will use a variety of sedimentary analysis techniques to explore the interval from Azagador to Cantera times in order to shed light on the development of the Sorbas Basin during this time.
Supervisors: Dr Hazel Beaumont (UWE), Dr Stuart M Clarke (Keele) and Dr Steve Rogers (Keele)
Funding: Fieldwork funded (no funding is currently available for fees and stipend)
Start Date: Available from April/May
The influence of structure on arid-continental sedimentary environments and deposition: Insights from the Cutler Group of the Paradox Basin, USA
The lower Cutler beds and the Ceda Mesa Sandstone of the Monument Valley area of south-east Utah and northern Arizona, USA represent sedimentary deposition in arid fluvial, wet aeolian, sabkha and associated environments. The spatial and temporal distributions of these sediments are relatively well known, but the controlling allo-factors upon them are not. One potential allo-control local to this area - that is not of consequence elsewhere within the Paradox Basin where these sediments are exposed - is tectonics. This work will explore a potential link between localised extensional faults (now inverted as major monoclines) and deposition of the Cutler sediments.
Supervisors: Dr Stuart M. Clarke, Professor Phil C Richards (Keele) and Dr Graham Leslie (BGS)
Funding: Fieldwork funded (no funding is currently available for fees and stipend)
Start Date: Available from April/May