The University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Shell Global Solutions, is offering a fully-funded PhD scholarship for research on exact solutions for conservation law systems with applications to CO2 storage. This industry-partnered opportunity provides a substantial annual stipend of $35,300 AUD (indexed annually) for 3.75 years.
Scholarship Overview
The Shell Global Solutions PhD Scholarship is open to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens, permanent humanitarian visa holders, and international students. The scholarship is available through the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET) at the University of Adelaide.
This research opportunity focuses on developing innovative approaches to modeling CO2 injectivity in heterogeneous media. The successful candidate will work with researchers at both the University of Adelaide and Shell Global Solutions, including a remote internship with Shell to produce project deliverables.
Research Project Details
The project addresses current challenges in upscaling CO2 injection into water-saturated reservoirs. While existing models for pseudo relative permeability have been developed for various cases (viscous-, gravity-, and capillary-dominant), they don't account for CO2 dissolution in water along with capillary, chemical, and stratigraphic entrapments.
The research will explore two promising approaches:
Using asymptotic techniques developed for relaxation systems to transform kinetics non-equilibrium systems into those with non-equilibrium kinetics.
Applying techniques for averaging 2D or 3D two-phase three-component transport using analytical 1D solutions to close the system for CO2-brine-rock interactions.
These approaches aim to develop an upscaled model for two-phase multicomponent flows, accounting for chemical reactions, dissolution of CO2 in water, and evaporation of water into CO2.
Financial Support
The successful candidate will receive:
A University of Adelaide Research Scholarship valued at $35,300 AUD per annum (indexed annually)
Duration of 3.75 years
Likely tax exemption (subject to Taxation Office approval)
Eligibility Requirements
While the project falls within reservoir engineering, the primary research focus is on mathematical physics, exact and asymptotic solutions of non-linear partial differential equations, and analytical methods in fluid mechanics. Ideal candidates should have:
MSc or high-quality Honours in applied or pure mathematics or theoretical physics (preferred)
Alternatively, MSc in engineering with demonstrated high skills in Calculus II, III, and fluid mechanics
Scientific publications (considered a bonus)
The successful candidate must be able to enroll as a full-time PhD student at the University of Adelaide in the year of the offer and remain based in Adelaide, South Australia for the duration of the award.
How to Apply
To apply, email the following documents to the principal supervisor, Prof. Pavel Bedrikovetski (pavel.bedrikovetski@adelaide.edu.au) with the scholarship name in the subject line:
CV
Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining your interest in the PhD project and describing how your background and research area align with the project
Degree certificates and relevant academic transcripts, with translations of non-English documentation
Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2025.
Apply for the Shell Global Solutions PhD Scholarship
This industry-partnered PhD opportunity represents an excellent chance for qualified candidates to contribute to cutting-edge research in CO2 storage while working with both academic and industry experts.
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