DescriptionGrade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum
College of Science and Engineering / School of Geosciences
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: for 16 months
The Opportunity:
Where Curiosity Becomes Impact.
There’s a career for everyone at the University of Edinburgh. We can offer opportunities for you to develop in your career and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.
The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where researchers can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area.
This is an Academic Research (Postdoctoral Research Associate) opportunity within the School of GeoSciences.
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Natural Hydrogen) to support the University of Edinburgh contribution to the Horizon Europe Clean Hydrogen project H2-QUEST. The project is focused on improving understanding of hydrogen source rocks and quantifying hydrogen generation and release rates under subsurface-relevant conditions.
The postholder will lead the University of Edinburgh experimental programme using high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) batch reactors and implement real-time monitoring of hydrogen production dynamics using in situ microsensors. You will analyse and interpret experimental datasets and integrate results with thermodynamic/kinetic geochemical modelling to constrain hydrogen generation rates across geological settings. You will deliver robust, well-documented datasets for consortium use, reporting, and publication, and work closely with project partners to ensure timely sharing and interpretation of results.
Your skills and attributes for success:
- PhD (awarded, or thesis submitted by the start date) in geochemistry, geoenergy, chemistry, chemical engineering (geo-related), or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience with experimental geochemistry and/or reactor-based experiments (HPHT or analogous high-integrity lab systems).
- Strong knowledge of water–rock–gas reactions and redox processes relevant to hydrogen generation, and ability to apply this knowledge to interpret experimental results and constrain models.
- Experience with geochemical modelling (thermodynamic and/or kinetic), using relevant platforms (e.g., PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench, TOUGHREACT, CrunchFlow, or equivalent).
- Experience with relevant analytical techniques for reactive systems, evidenced by routine use of several of: XRD, SEM-EDS, micro-CT, ICP-OES/ICP-MS, and gas analysis (e.g., GC).
- Strong quantitative data skills (e.g., Python/R/Matlab), excellent organisational skills, and ability to communicate results clearly in a collaborative international project environment.
Working pattern:
This is a laboratory-based role and requires regular on-site attendance (daily during active experimental runs). Remote working will be limited and only permitted occasionally for specific tasks, subject to prior agreement with the line manager. As such, applicants should not expect routine or regular home working as part of this post.
A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:
- Competitive salary
- Generous annual leave and public holiday entitlement
- Defined benefits pension scheme
- A wide range of staff discounts
- Family-friendly initiatives and wellbeing support
- Professional development and training opportunities
This post is full-time (35 hours per week).
View the full job description.
How to apply
Please include the following documents in your application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- If shortlisted, 2 references will be requested before the interview.
Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Aliakbar Hassanpouryouzband (Hssnpr@ed.ac.uk).
Apply now to join an international consortium and deliver new experimental and modelling insights relevant to natural hydrogen systems.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits pageand use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for application is 30th March 2026.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
