PhD Position at Penn State University – Experimental Studies on Natural Hydrogen and Stimulated GeoH2 Production

Position: Funded Ph.D. Student Position – Geological Hydrogen Production (Spring/Fall 2027)

Research: Geological hydrogen production, high-temperature/high-pressure core flooding, and rock–water geochemical reactions

Application deadlines (international): September 5 (Spring); December 15 (Fall)

Faculty Contact: Dr. Qingwang Yuan (qyuan@psu.edu).

Ph.D. Research Topics

• Mechanisms and kinetics of hydrogen generation from rock–water reactions in subsurface conditions
• Effects of temperature, pressure, flow rate, fluid composition, and mineralogy on natural and stimulated hydrogen generation
• Synergies between stimulated geological hydrogen production and CO2 mineralization/geological sequestration
• Geochemical and reactive transport modeling based on laboratory observations
• Upscaling from core-scale characterization to reservoir-scale engineering

Applicant Qualifications

• Applicants should hold a master’s degree in petroleum engineering, geological engineering, geosciences, chemical engineering, mining engineering, or a related field.
• Strong research motivation, integrity, independence, and problem-solving ability
• Substantial hands-on experience with core flooding experiments
• Research experience in geological hydrogen/rock-water geochemistry, EOR, CO2 sequestration, or underground hydrogen storage
• Experience with GC, ICP-OES/ICP-MS, XRD, SEM-EDS, or aqueous geochemical analyses
• Ability to independently conduct experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot, and prepare manuscripts
• Excellent English reading, writing, and communication skills
• Peer-reviewed English publications or a strong master’s thesis are preferred

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: Overall ≥ 6.5
• TOEFL iBT (before Jan. 21, 2026): Total ≥ 80; Speaking ≥ 19
• TOEFL iBT (new scoring): Overall ≥ 4.5; Speaking ≥ 3.5
• GRE is recommended but not required

Application

• Please combine the following into one PDF and email it to qyuan@psu.edu.
• Subject: GeoH2 PhD Application + Your Name + Expected Start Semester
• Curriculum Vitae
• Undergraduate and master’s transcripts
• One-page statement of research experience and/or research interests
• TOEFL/IELTS scores or planned test date
• Representative publications, master’s thesis abstract, or other research outputs
• Names and contact information for three referees

In the research statement, please describe the core flooding systems you have used, rock and fluid types, temperature and pressure ranges, analytical techniques, and your specific contributions to experimental design, operation, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

Successful applicants will receive full financial support, close research mentoring, guidance on high-impact scientific writing, travel support for conferences, career development mentoring, and outstanding networking opportunities in the geological hydrogen community.

University and Program

The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is a leading public research university in the United States. Penn State is ranked No. 92 globally in both the 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities and the QS World University Rankings. Students will enroll in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Ph.D. program within the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME), an interdisciplinary department spanning petroleum and natural gas engineering, energy engineering, mining engineering, and materials science.

 

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Qingwang Yuan. 

Dr. Yuan will start as an Associate Professor at Penn State University in August 2026. His publications are available on Google Scholar. More information about Dr. Yuan’s group can be found at: https://www.TheHopeGroup.Tech/.

The group collaborates extensively with U.S. universities, national laboratories, government agencies, and international research teams. Students will have opportunities to participate in collaborative projects and international conferences. Dr. Yuan has previously supported eight graduate students and postdoctoral researchers for 1–3 month research visits at Stanford University, Harvard University, Texas A&M University, the University at Buffalo, Howard University, and a U.S. national laboratory.