An exciting chance to be part of our ‘Bridging Research to Response’ endeavour is now available as we look to collaborate with UK-based students on a new research project either via a taught Masters plus research project or a focused MRes project.

We are offering sponsorship to a UK Masters student to conduct a research project aimed at addressing challenges or advancing knowledge in the oil spill response sector. This fantastic opportunity will provide financial assistance covering the student’s course fees to a maximum of £10,000, during the University year starting in 2024 and ending in 2025. 

We are open to project ideas but have included some suggested research project ideas:

• Infrastructure decommissioning – quantifying ecological restoration of wellheads, quantify impacts and benefits to ecosystem services, define risk and acceptability thresholds in policy and governance
• Renewable ‘oil spill’ research – risk/preparedness of renewable infrastructure for potential spill response
• Technology innovation – design or improvement of current spill monitoring equipment or designing new software to support planning or responding to incidents, drift modelling applications
• Dispersants – new application and monitoring equipment or advancement in current technology
• Fuel of the future – responding to ammonia, hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), and low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) incidents

To help us choose the correct student, we will require a general project scope, including a brief summary with an overview of the aim, objectives and expected outcomes of the research. There would also need to be committed academic support on the project from the institute.

Interested candidates will need to have completed an undergraduate course and include a personal statement with their submission that includes an expression of interest in the chosen topic and their reasons for desiring involvement in a collaborative research project.

Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) stands as the foremost international cooperative funded by the industry, dedicated to swiftly responding to oil spills globally. Our mission encompasses readiness, intervention, and response services, wherever incidents arise. As a member-owned entity, our membership base encompasses a significant portion of worldwide oil and gas production. Presently, we maintain a workforce of 275 individuals spread across 12 global locations.

If you are interested in this unique opportunity please complete this application form or have any questions, please contact Rhea Shears (STSE Officer). The closing date for submissions is Friday, 31st May 2024, with shortlist interviews to be completed the week beginning Monday, 17th June 2024.

Any shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit an up-to-date CV and letter of support from the lecturer who is sponsoring the research to continue to progress their application.