<!DOCTYPE html><html><head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
</head>
<body>
<div>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">We are
recruiting for the Autumn 2025 cohort for the Centre for
Doctoral Training in Mathematics for Our Future Climate! We
have an open PhD position at the intersection of data
assimilation and machine learning at the University of
Reading.</span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The
positions are for fully funded 4-year PhD studentship.
Interested students should apply as soon as possible through
the University of Reading's application page at </span><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#3465A4"><a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/maths-and-stats/phd/mathematics-for-our-future-climate" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.reading.ac.uk/maths-and-stats/phd/mathematics-for-our-future-climate</a></span></u><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Feel
free to contact me (</span><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#3465A4"><a href="mailto:e.bach@reading.ac.uk" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">e.bach@reading.ac.uk</a></span></u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">) with
any questions!</span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Project
description</span></b><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><i><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Machine
Learning Approaches in Bayesian and Ensemble Data
Assimilation</span></i><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Probabilistic
data assimilation (DA) is the process of combining models with
observations to obtain the filtering distribution—the
conditional probability over states given past and present
observations. Due to computational limitations, typically only
rough approximations of the true filter are tractable. This
project proposes to use machine learning (ML) to learn new DA
algorithms that better approximate the true filter, holding
the potential to improve forecasts and quantify their
uncertainty. This will be done using strictly proper scoring
rules, skill metrics with appealing theoretical properties for
this purpose.<br>
<br>
This project will focus on learning ensemble DA algorithms for
use in high-dimensional chaotic systems such as the
atmosphere. Initial application will be to idealised problems,
but scaling up these methods to operational weather prediction
will also be explored. Theoretical issues about learnability
and comparisons to other methods will also be considered.<br>
<br>
The combination of ML with DA is an active and quickly
expanding area of research. However, the learning DA
algorithms is an underexplored field and has the potential to
significantly improve on current DA methods used for weather
and climate forecasting. The student would thus be at the
frontier of high-impact DA research, working with
world-leading institutions on research in DA (Reading), Earth
observation (NCEO), and ML (Turing Institute).<br>
</span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0cm"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">About
the MFC CDT</span></b><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Are
you passionate about using mathematics to tackle the pressing
challenges of climate change? The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral
Training in the Mathematics for our Future Climate (MFC CDT)
invites you to apply for our exciting PhD programme. A dynamic
and interdisciplinary PhD programme that harnesses the power
of mathematics to address the urgent issues presented by
climate change. Jointly run by Imperial College London, the
University of Reading, and the University of Southampton, and
a range of partners across business, industry, charities, and
government.</span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">The
MFC CDT will train highly skilled mathematicians to become
future leaders in innovative research, developing
environmental prediction technologies, interpreting very large
datasets relating to the Earth system, and modelling the risk
associated with extreme weather and climate change.</span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Why
Choose the MFC CDT PhD Programme?</span></b><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Innovative
Research Opportunities:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Engage
in research focused on weather and climate modelling, data
analysis, and novel mathematical approaches to environmental
challenges.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Interdisciplinary
Collaboration:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Work
with experts from diverse fields, including climate science,
atmospheric physics, and related disciplines.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Cohort
Culture:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Be
part of a vibrant cohort-based research environment and
enhance your personal skills through a bespoke training
programme.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tailored
Internships:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Gain
practical experience with external partners in key sectors
such as insurance, energy, water, and marine industries.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">State-of-the-Art
Facilities:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Access
cutting-edge facilities and resources to support your
research endeavours.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Mentorship
from Renowned Faculty:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Benefit
from guidance by experienced faculty members dedicated to
your academic and professional growth.</span></li>
<li style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Fully
Funded Studentships:</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Receive
a stipend, including a London weighting, PhD fees for 4
years, and a generous allowance for research-related
activities.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Join
Us in Shaping the Future</span></b><span style="color:black"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">Your
expertise and passion for mathematics can play a pivotal role
in advancing our understanding of climate change. Applications
are now open to become part of a community dedicated to making
a positive impact on the world. For more information and to
apply, visit </span> <span style="color:black"><a href="https://mfccdt.ac.uk/"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#3465A4">https://mfccdt.ac.uk/</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> or
contact the Admissions team on </span><span style="color:black"><a href="mailto:Admission.CDT-MFC@reading.ac.uk"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#3465A4">Admission.CDT-MFC@reading.ac.uk</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black"> </span><span style="color:black"></span></p>
</div>
<p></p>
</body>
</html>