Researcher in Subsurface Modelling (0131-26) - Derby, DE22 1GB

Researcher in Subsurface Modelling ) - Derby, DE22 1GB

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Science

The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration.

About the Discipline

The Discipline of Environmental Sciences in the College of Science and Engineering, incorporates Earth Sciences, GeoEnergy, Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Sustainability. We work with colleagues across the College and University, including Mineral Products, Engineering, Computing, Maths, and Business, to contribute to critical research within the University’s Research themes of Zero Carbon and Data Science. We have a 130-year pedigree in geoscience teaching and research, reflected in our high impact international research, collaboration with external companies, and recognised excellence in teaching and learning. We are a future-focused and collaborative department, working together to make a significant positive impact for our world.

About the Role

RESCUE is a €1,000,000 international collaboration funded by Water4All and Horizon Europe to investigate the potential for Offshore Freshened Groundwater (OFG) resources to mitigate drought during extreme climate events. An international consortium of researchers from the University of Derby (UK), University of Trieste (Italy), OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale, Italy), University of Malta (Malta), and RudenAS (Norway) work across 4 work packages to improve knowledge and understanding of technical, social, legal and economic frameworks that underpin the discovery and use of OFG across Europe.

You will join the University of Derby as a RESCUE project Co-Investigator to contribute to the development and application of technical methods, workflows, datasets, and dissemination outputs relating to large-scale modelling of subsurface reservoir systems in the Southern North Sea. The machine learning subsurface modelling tool EMBER will be used within Petrel workflows to efficiently derive cutting-edge subsurface porosity and permeability models from large-scale 3D seismic and well datasets. The RESCUE team will then perform dynamic flow simulations for the Southern North Sea using MODFLOW6 and Flopy.

About You

For this research role, you will hold a PhD or equivalent (pending or awarded) in a relevant discipline. You will have experience working with methodologies and techniques in subsurface reservoir modelling using seismic reflection and wireline log data. You will be self-motivated and able to work independently, as well as being communicative and an effective team worker. You will have experience working with seismic reflection and wireline log data, which is essential for this role. You may also have an interest working with Petrel, seismic attributes, machine learning tools, and/or dynamic flow simulations, which are desirables for this role.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Jordan Phethean, Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences via

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via

Important Information

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University. 

The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the  Skilled Worker route  (£41,700 per annum, as of 22^nd July 2025). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following  criteria set out by UKVI : 

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job 
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

You must also meet the  English Language requirement .

Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.

For more information, visit our  website .

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .

Closing Date: 12 Jul 2026

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £29,588 to £44,746 per annum