“Sub-cool” brings together expertise in hydrogeology, climate change, and social sciences to explore how aquifers beneath urban areas can become reliable and sustainable cooling resources. This work is timely as successive European heatwaves have pushed cooling to the frontline of climate adaptation and exposed growing heath consequences, with approximately 2,877 heat-related deaths in the UK, reinforcing the need for low-carbon cooling to ensure resilient to future climate conditions.
Aquifers are underground reservoirs attractive for cooling provision as they have relatively stable thermal conditions and extraction of this water has very low associated energy. Use of aquifers for cooling is inherently place-based, connecting local hydrogeology with neighbourhood cooling needs. It provides a novel approach in many urban areas, with its deployment being closely intertwined with public acceptance and accessibility. Greater Manchester (GM) offers strong deployment potential, arising from large urban area, which combines increasingly substantial cooling demand, coupled with extensive underlying sedimentary aquifers. Comparable systems in other European cities (e.g., London, Munich, Eindhoven) suggest aquifer-based cooling could reduce cooling-related CO₂ emissions by 70 – 94% relative to conventional alternatives.
Nevertheless, how aquifer thermal and hydrological conditions will evolve under intensified climate change is uncertain. In the UK, warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers may alter groundwater levels, flow and heat transport. This may lead to very different thermal footprints despite the same cooling demand, while also affecting groundwater and connected surface-water quality and supply. Past technology rollouts show the necessity to understand how the public weigh cooling benefits against perceived risks, costs and environmental trade-offs, making the integration of these perspectives with hydrogeological modelling essential for informing climate-resilient system deployment.
“Sub-cool” therefore asks, if changing aquifer conditions, cooling needs and public perceptions jointly shape where, and how climate-resilient urban aquifer cooling can be deployed, via the following research questions (RQ):
RQ1: How do aquifer cooling opportunities align with place-based cooling needs, and how do residents and professionals understand their benefits, risks and trade-offs? Walking interviews could provide a valuable approach to connect lived experiences of overheating and cooling access with perceptions of the subsurface resource in a selected European case alongside GM. These findings would inform the spatial priorities, scenarios and constraints examined in RQ2.
RQ2: How might climate change alter aquifer cooling capacity and capability? GM will provide the base case, supported by existing geological and borehole datasets, groundwater monitoring and UK climate projections. The comparative site selected through the work in RQ1 will be incorporated into geo-referenced GIS-based groundwater-flow and heat-transport modelling to examine how hydrogeology, climate and existing use shape spatial patterns of cooling capacity and thermal response. Modelled opportunities will then be assessed against the findings from RQ1 to shape the deployment is technically suitable, and socially and environmentally appropriate.
The project will deliver a) transferable hydrogeologically-informed models of the capacity of aquifers to support future urban cooling and b) subsurface-surface matched opportunities for cooling that are socially responsible and sustainable. Training will be provided in qualitative research, hydrogeological interpretation, GIS, scientific programming and geothermal modelling.
This project is expected to start in September 2027.
Before you apply: You should contact the project supervisors to learn more about the project and discuss whether it may be suitable for you.
How to apply:
To be considered for this project, you must submit a formal application through our online application portal. If you already have an applicant account, use this link to open an application for FSE PhD President's Doctoral Scholarship. If you do not yet have an applicant account, follow the account setup instructions. Once your account is set up, use this link to open an application for this programme.
When applying, please specify the full title and supervisor/s of the project, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees. You must also upload a Supporting Statement describing your motivation to apply to the project, your CV and transcripts of awarded and in-progress university qualifications. Please note late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester and central to all our activities. A diverse research community strengthens creativity, productivity and quality, while increasing the societal and economic impact of our work. We welcome applicants from all career paths, backgrounds and sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation or transgender status.
We welcome applications from candidates returning to study after a career break or experience in other roles. Flexible study arrangements may be available, including part-time study at 50%, 60% or 80%, subject to the requirements of the project and funder.
FSE_PDS
Eligibility: Applicants are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in geology, hydrogeology, environmental science, physical geography, earth science, environmental engineering, or a related discipline. Research experience in using GIS, hydrogeological or hydrological analysis, environmental data analysis, or numerical modelling is desirable. Experience of qualitative or mixed-methods research would also be desirable but is not essential, as relevant training will be provided.
Funding Notes
Funding covers tuition fees, an annual stipend at the UKRI minimum rate (currently £21,805 per year) plus £1,000/annum enhancement, and a research training support grant of up to £20,000 for the full 4-year programme.
