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PhD Studentship in the Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Physics Research

Overview

  • Qualification type: PhD
  • Subject area: Physics, Atmospheric/Climate Science, Data Science
  • Location/Campus: Hatfield/College Lane Campus
  • Start date: 1 October 2025
  • Closing application date: 3 February 2025 at 9 am
  • Duration of Contract: 3-years, full-time

Project outline

Project title: Atmospheric turbulence in the midst of Climate change and associated impacts on aviation using observations, dynamical models and data science approaches.

Atmospheric turbulence is the primary cause of weather-related aircraft accidents and incidents. Each year, it results in injuries to hundreds of passengers and flight attendants, incurs costs of hundreds of millions of dollars for the aviation industry, and contributes to increased fuel consumption and emissions from aircraft. Previous studies have shown that the jet stream at aircraft cruising altitudes has become 15% more sheared since satellite observations began in 1979. This increase in shear is a predicted outcome of climate change, suggesting a more turbulent atmosphere. This project aims to delve deeper into how climate change is intensifying turbulence, potentially leading to bumpier flights in the future and what are the insurance implications of aircraft turbulence. The PhD candidate will work on combining observations, satellite retrievals, high resolution numerical modelling, and Machine learning approaches to study how climate change affecting atmospheric turbulence and associated impacts on aviation.

Supervisors

Entry requirements

Applications are invited from individuals with a bachelor’s degree (2.1 or above) and/or Master (e.g. if your BSc degree classification is 2.2) in a relevant subject e.g. Physics, Meteorology, Atmospheric/Climate Science, Data Science, Remote Sensing, Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering.

We are seeking applicants with

  • Experience in data analysis and numerical modelling (expected but not mandatory)
  • Programming skills with at least one of the following programming languages: Python, FORTRAN, C/C++, MATLAB, IDL
  • Overseas applicants to have an IELTS (English proficiency) score of 6.5 or above (if they get selected for the studentship)
  • This project is a combination of both experimental and computational work. We welcome applications from candidates who have experience in or are willing to support lab/field measurements and modelling.

Eligibility

Open to both UK and International applicants, including EU applicants.

How to apply

Please download and complete an application form

With your application please also submit a research proposal not exceeding two A4 pages, a CV and cover letter. You will also need to provide:

  • Two academic references to be provided by referee directly to the Doctoral College.
  • Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
  • Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
  • Interviews will take place: March 2025, exact dates TBC

For informal enquires please email: Prof. Dan Smith, the Postgraduate Tutor or Dr. Pushp Raj Tiwari using the following format in the email subject line: ACP PhD Studentships.

Your completed application should be emailed to the Doctoral College Admissions team by 3 February 2025 at 9am.

Funding information

  • Full tuition fee waiver for three years and a stipend each year at UK Research Council rates, which for 2024-2025 will be £19,237, paid in monthly instalments.
  • Applicants who need a student visa will be required to pay for this themselves along with the Immigration Health Surcharge. For more information, please visit our website:
  • Student visa
  • Immigration Health Surcharge