Are you an ambitious researcher with a background in nanotechnology? Can you demonstrate your expertise in Enhanced Oil Recovery? Do you want to develop yourself at one of the UK’s leading research intensive universities? 

The application of nanotechnology in the oil and gas sectors is a recent and rapid development field. Polymer flooding is a promising Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technology but still has many technological limitations, especially under high temperature. Properly engineered, nanoparticles hold great potential for tuning the interfacial and rheological properties of polymers and improving oil recovery rate in  harsh conditions. Understanding the nanoparticle-polymer interaction and nanoparticle-assisted polymer flooding process is critical to these applications. 

This project aims to explore the use of different nanomaterials for polymer related EOR applications. You  will be responsible for designing and synthesising suitable nanomaterials, exploring the effective interfacial and rhelogical properties of flooding polymers under the influence of nanomaterials and their interactions and performing flooding experiments under different oil saturations and  environments. You will to participate actively in planning a piloting testing to examine the effect of nanoparitcles at the field scale. This is a challenging and exciting project for a high motivated candidate with solid nanoparticle, polymer, and EOR experience to work at the interface of nanotechnology and petroleum engineering.  

Holding a first degree and PhD (or close to completion) in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, or a closely allied discipline, you will have a strong background in nanoparticle and polymer preparation and characterisation and extensive experimental experience in rhelolgical properties and chemical flooding experiments.

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

Professor Dongsheng Wen School of Chemical and Process Engineering
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 1299
Email: d.wen@leeds.ac.uk 

Location: Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School/Institute: School of Chemical & Process Engineering
Category: Research
Grade: Grade 7
Salary: £33,797 to £40,322 p.a.
Post Type: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Until 01 August 2021)
Closing Date: Sunday 19 July 2020
Reference: EPSPE1013
Downloads: Candidate Brief