Develop research and professional experience by working at the forefront of the energy transition.
The Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre provides opportunities for undergraduate students, researchers and professionals that will help develop unique industry-specific experience, expand their skillsets, and allow them to apply degree-specific knowledge on meaningful projects.
Opportunities cover a wide range of topics and disciplines, broadly aligning with the Centre's research themes: Communities & Coexistence, Environment, Decarbonisation, and Energy Security.
Opportunities for researchers and professionals
In order to deliver impactful research on the energy transition, the Centre draws on the combined expertise of engineers, geoscientists, economists, social scientists, programmers, modellers and more.
Below you will find a list current job opportunities as well as 'areas of interest' which the Centre is seeking expressions of interest for.
Current opportunities
Expression of Interest - PhD project: Safe geological storage of carbon dioxide to reach net zero
Expressions of interest are currently being accepted for a PhD project that will build an understanding of how aquifer hydrogeochemistry may change if stored carbon dioxide leaks. This will enable monitoring, mitigation and protection of Great Artesian Basin aquifers. The project is part of an ARC industry Fellowship 'Protecting aquifers in the race to net zero carbon emissions'.
Contact Dr Julie Pearce for more information
Opportunities for students
The Centre provides undergraduate and postgraduate students with opportunities to develop valuable research experience, expand their professional horizon, and apply degree-specific knowledge to meaningful projects.
Summer and winter research programs
UQ's Summer and Winter Research Programs provide students with an opportunity to gain research experience working on projects alongside leading academics and researchers. Projects are available in both Summer (mid-January to mid-February, for 6 weeks) and Winter (mid-June to mid-July, for 4 weeks).
Projects at the Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre will provide valuable experience in energy and natural gas-related fields, and develop analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
For more information about the Summer and Winter Research Programs, including eligibility requirements and application details, visit the Program website.
Current opportunities
This list includes projects that are currently accepting applications as part of the 2025 Winter Research Program. Applications for the program are open until 13 April 2025.
- Looking at coal trade behaviour during the early 2020s during the Chinese ban on importing Australian coal
Description: This project will investigate the impacts of China's non-official import ban of Australian coal in 2020 and seek to put these findings in the context of other commodities, such as liquified natural gas (LNG).
Supervisor: Professor David Close
More information
- Environmental impacts of aquifer – reservoir groundwater connectivity
Description: This project will analyse groundwater data to understand groundwater aquifers and connectivity with gas reservoirs.
Supervisor: Dr Julie Pearce
More information
- Does the Proterozoic sedimentary record indicate greater abundance of aeolian deposition relative to the Phanerozoic due to the post-Proterozoic development of a terrestrial biosphere?
Description: This project reviews literature relating to Proterozoic depositional environments and potentially can involve interpretation of digital data and core/cuttings to better describe these environments.
Supervisor: Professor David Close
More information
For more information, such as how to apply for a project, visit the UQ Summer and Winter Research Program website.
Postgraduate opportunities
Many of the Centre’s researchers supervise postgraduate students. If you are interested in their field of work and would like to enquire about postgraduate opportunities, contact the researcher directly or send an e-mail to gas-energy@uq.edu.au.
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