Research Engineer – Geothermal Reservoir & Well Engineering

Salary: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

Contract Type: Part Time (0.5FTE/17.5 hours per week), Fixed Term for 24 months

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff

About the Organisations:

TownRock Energy is the UK's largest independent geothermal specialist, combining shallow, mine water and deep geothermal expertise to guide pioneering organisations from early-stage scoping through to delivery and long-term operation. With a strong track record across UK and international projects, TownRock Energy occupies a unique position at the intersection of technical rigour and commercial delivery in the rapidly expanding UK geothermal sector.

Heriot-Watt University is a world-leading research university with globally recognised expertise in energy, engineering, and the built environment. Based at its Edinburgh campus, the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering (IGE) conducts internationally excellent applied research in geomechanics, reservoir engineering, and subsurface energy systems, supported by world-class laboratory and computational facilities.

This jointly hosted role reflects a strategic partnership between TownRock Energy and Heriot-Watt University, enabling the successful candidate to contribute to industry-facing geothermal projects while embedded in a leading academic research environment.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an exceptional Research Engineer to join TownRock Energy and Heriot-Watt University in a unique, jointly hosted appointment. This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with both PhD-level academic training and hands-on industry experience in subsurface and reservoir engineering to contribute directly to the technical advancement of geothermal energy development specifically in Scotland, Ireland, Austria and Lithuania, and tangentially across Europe and beyond.

The post-holder will support a portfolio of geothermal project development activities in the GeoGuard project spanning reservoir characterisation, subsurface simulation modelling, well engineering design, and reservoir stimulation assessment. Working across both the TownRock Energy project delivery team and the Heriot-Watt University research group, the role bridges rigorous academic analysis and practical engineering application.

This is a Grade 7, post-doctoral level position on the Heriot-Watt University pay spine, carrying a salary of approximately £40,000 per annum. The exact spine point will reflect the candidate's experience and qualifications, with the potential for progression during the 24-month appointment. The role is fixed-term and is anticipated to commence in late Summer or Autumn 2026.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Reservoir Engineering & Simulation: Design, build, and run subsurface reservoir simulation models for tight hot sedimentary aquifer geothermal projects, industry-standard and research-grade simulation software. Develop and implement coupled modelling concepts for well stimulation. Undertake reservoir characterisation studies including thermal-hydraulic modelling, geomechanical assessment, and pressure-temperature analysis. Interpret geological, geophysical, and drilling datasets to inform and calibrate reservoir models. Contribute to uncertainty analysis and probabilistic resource assessments in support of investment and project development decisions.
• Well Engineering: Provide technical input to well design studies, including casing design, completion strategies, and well integrity assessment for geothermal applications. Support pre-drill well planning, site investigations, and drilling programme development in collaboration with operations and HSE functions. Review and interpret well test data, temperature and pressure logs, and production performance records.
• Reservoir Stimulation: Assess reservoir stimulation options – including hydraulic fracturing, chemical stimulation, thermal stimulation and a variety of next generation stimulation techniques – in the context of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and productivity optimisation. Contribute to techno-economic evaluations of stimulation programme options and post-stimulation evaluation in support of project research and development activities.
• Research & Knowledge Development: Produce high-quality technical reports, research outputs, and stakeholder-facing deliverables to appropriate academic and industry standards. Contribute to academic publications and conference presentations arising from the research programme. Identify and help develop opportunities for further research collaboration between TownRock Energy and Heriot-Watt University. Remain current with developments in geothermal subsurface science, reservoir simulation methodology, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Collaboration & Project Support: Work effectively with multidisciplinary project teams including geoscientists, structural and mechanical engineers, and project managers. Engage proactively with academic supervisors, industry colleagues, supply chain representatives, and where appropriate, other external stakeholders. Support TownRock Energy's business development activity through technical input to proposals, feasibility studies, and scoping reports. Assist in mentoring junior technical staff and students as the research programme develops.
• Administrative & Compliance Duties: Adhere to the policies, procedures, and values of both TownRock Energy and Heriot-Watt University, including data management, intellectual property, health and safety, and research integrity requirements. Maintain accurate records of research activities, data, and outputs in accordance with funder and institutional requirements.

Education, Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. Petroleum/Reservoir Engineering, Geomechanics, Geothermal Engineering, Civil/Geotechnical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Earth Sciences, or closely related field). The PhD is a minimum, not an alternative, qualification for this post.
• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Engineering, Geoscience, or Physical Sciences (first degree or integrated master's as foundation for doctoral study).
• Demonstrated experience of subsurface reservoir simulation, ideally including thermal-hydraulic or coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical (THM) modelling of geological systems.
• Practical familiarity with at least one industry-standard reservoir simulation platform (e.g. TOUGH2/TOUGH+, CMG, Eclipse/Intersect, MRST, DuMuX, OPM, FEFLOW, OpenGeoSys, or equivalent).
• Proficiency in at least one high-level programming language (e.g. Python, Julia, MATLAB, C++, or R).
• Fundamental understanding of mathematical modelling concepts and numerical solution techniques.
• Familiarity with reservoir stimulation techniques and their application in subsurface energy contexts, including an understanding of hydraulic fracturing mechanics, chemical stimulation, or thermal stimulation.
• Ability to produce high-quality, well-structured technical reports and research outputs to both academic and industry standards.
• Track record of, or demonstrable potential for, academic publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentation at conferences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical material clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to manage own workload effectively, work to deadlines, and deliver outputs within a structured project environment.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to integrate effectively into multidisciplinary project and research teams.
• Commitment to research integrity, professional standards, and continuing professional development.
• Willingness and ability to undertake occasional UK travel in connection with project activities.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with software engineering best practices (e.g. Version control, Git, debugging and profiling).
• Demonstrated practical industry experience in subsurface engineering, reservoir engineering, or well engineering, acquired within an oil and gas, geothermal, mining, or related sector context.
• Understanding of reservoir characterisation methods including interpretation of geological, geophysical, and petrophysical datasets.
• Experience with uncertainty quantification and probabilistic approaches in reservoir modelling.
• Familiarity with geothermal resource assessment methodologies (volumetric, simulation-based, or probabilistic).
• Sound working knowledge of well engineering principles, including well design, casing and completion selection, and well integrity for deep or intermediate-depth wells.
• Experience of interpreting well test data, temperature-pressure surveys, and production/injection performance logs.
• Exposure to well planning processes, drilling programmes, or regulatory permitting for geothermal, oil and gas, or deep water boreholes.
• Direct experience of stimulation programme design, execution support, or post-stimulation analysis.
• Experience of working on applied, client-facing projects or within a commercial or consultancy environment.
• Familiarity with UK or European regulatory frameworks relevant to subsurface energy projects (e.g. Environment Act, Petroleum Act, Energy Act provisions relevant to geothermal).
• Experience of contributing to funded research proposals, grant applications, or industry bids.
• Membership of, or eligibility for, a relevant professional body (e.g. SPE, Energy Institute, Geological Society, IChemE, IMechE).
• Experience of supervising or mentoring junior researchers, engineers, or students.
• Knowledge of or interest in the UK geothermal sector, including mine water heat, shallow ground source systems, or deep geothermal.

Contract, Remuneration and Benefits:

Contract Duration: This is a fixed-term appointment of 24 months, anticipated to commence in late Summer or Autumn 2026. The exact start date is negotiable. The fixed-term nature of the appointment reflects the research programme funding cycle; continuation beyond the initial term cannot be guaranteed but may be subject to further academic funding opportunities or evolve into a relevant full-time role at TownRock Energy.

Salary: The post is graded at Grade 7 on the Heriot-Watt University pay spine (post-doctoral research level). The precise spine point will be determined in relation to the successful candidate's qualifications and industry experience. There is scope for progression within the grade over the course of the appointment in accordance with the University's pay and progression policies.

Benefits: Annual leave entitlement in accordance with Heriot-Watt University policy (typically 30 days per annum plus public holidays). Membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) or equivalent pension provision, subject to eligibility. Access to Heriot-Watt University staff development, library, and research facilities. Access to TownRock Energy professional development opportunities and project exposure. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements considered, consistent with the operational requirements of both organisations.

Working Arrangements: The role is based in Edinburgh and operates across both TownRock Energy's Princes Street offices and the Heriot-Watt University campus. The split of time between the two organisations will be agreed at the outset and may evolve in line with project and research needs. Some travel within Europe may be required to support project site visits, stakeholder meetings, or conferences. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered for appropriate portions of the role.

Equal Opportunities: TownRock Energy and Heriot-Watt University are committed to being equal opportunity employers. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and actively encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in the energy and geoscience sectors.