6 Fully-Funded PhD Scholarships in Artificial Intelligence for Weather Forecasting and Climate Change at (UCD) University College Dublin
Starting January 2026 – University College Dublin (UCD) & Met Éireann Collaboration
University College Dublin (UCD), in partnership with Met Éireann, is pleased to announce six fully-funded PhD opportunities as part of a landmark €5 million research initiative. These scholarships are designed to advance innovative research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), weather forecasting, and climate science.
Overview of the PhD Programme
These PhD positions are part of a strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing Ireland’s capabilities in climate resilience and weather prediction through AI-driven methods. Students will join an interdisciplinary and international research cohort, benefiting from structured training, expert supervision, and access to advanced computing resources.
The programme officially begins in January 2026 and welcomes applicants from both EU and international backgrounds.
Key Benefits and Funding
Each successful applicant will receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:
- Annual Stipend: €28,000 per year (tax-free)
- Full Tuition Fees: Covered for both EU and international students
- Research Support: Budget for travel, training, and computing resources
- Computing Access: Use of state-of-the-art High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure
- Structured Training: Cohort-based interdisciplinary training environment
This initiative represents a significant investment in talent development and scientific advancement, aimed at addressing some of the most pressing challenges related to weather extremes and climate change.
Research Themes and Project Areas
Applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of cutting-edge research topics, including:
- AI-Enhanced Offshore Forecasting: Leveraging machine learning to improve maritime weather predictions.
- Fog Detection and Prediction: Developing algorithms to identify and forecast fog formation using satellite and sensor data.
- Climate Impact Analysis via Social Media: Using natural language processing (NLP) to extract weather impact signals from social media platforms.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Investigating the relationship between extreme weather events and critical infrastructure failures.
- Weather-Health Linkages: Understanding how climate variability influences public health outcomes.
- Data-Driven Modelling: Creating AI-powered models to integrate complex atmospheric and environmental datasets for improved forecasting accuracy.
Each PhD candidate will work on a focused research question while also participating in interdisciplinary training sessions, workshops, and seminars with peers from various fields including AI, environmental science, meteorology, and data analytics.
Eligibility and Application Process
These scholarships are open to applicants from all academic backgrounds with a strong interest in artificial intelligence, climate science, meteorology, environmental science, or a related discipline. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
- A minimum of a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
- Programming skills or data analysis experience (e.g. Python, R, MATLAB)
- Interest in interdisciplinary research and climate challenges
- Motivation to work in a collaborative, cohort-based setting
Important Note: Applications submitted via email will not be accepted or acknowledged. All interested candidates must apply through the designated Google Form linked below.
Selection and Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is strongly encouraged. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview as part of the selection process.
The PhD programme will commence in January 2026, allowing adequate time for relocation and onboarding for international students.
About the Collaborators
University College Dublin (UCD) is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities, known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability. UCD is home to several nationally and internationally funded centres of excellence in AI, environmental science, and data analytics.
Met Éireann is Ireland’s National Meteorological Service. With a mission to protect life and property and to provide weather information for the public good, Met Éireann brings invaluable expertise and data infrastructure to the collaboration.
Together, UCD and Met Éireann are shaping the next generation of climate and weather scientists who will lead AI-driven solutions to global environmental challenges.
Contact and Further Information
For more details about the programme structure, research topics, or eligibility, applicants are encouraged to visit the official programme page or contact the project coordinators through the application portal.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
