PhD Studentship: How is climate change affecting the onset of monsoon rainfall? (NERC GW4+ DTP, September 2026 Entry) University of Exeter in United Kingdom

[Home tuition fees covered plus annual tax-free stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2026/27) for 3.5 years; project costs budget (£9,000), conference budget (£2,000), and individual training budget (£1,000).]

This PhD studentship at the University of Exeter, funded by the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), offers an exciting opportunity to investigate how climate change is affecting the onset of monsoon rainfall across global regions. The GW4+ DTP is a collaboration between leading UK universities and research organizations, providing a comprehensive training environment in earth and environmental sciences. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community and benefit from interdisciplinary expertise and resources.

The project addresses a critical global issue: the changing character of monsoon rainfall due to climate change, which impacts agriculture, water resources, hydropower, and public health for billions of people. Recent climate projections and historical data suggest a delayed onset of the monsoon season in several regions, but the underlying processes remain poorly understood. This research will utilize observational data and climate model simulations to analyze monsoon onset trends in regions such as Southern Africa, South America, and Asia, aiming to identify common mechanisms driving these changes worldwide.

Students will have the flexibility to shape the direction of the project in collaboration with supervisors from the Universities of Exeter, Birmingham, Oxford, and UKCEH, all of whom have strong records in climate research and training. The project may involve producing new idealized climate model simulations and selecting monsoon regions of particular interest. Training will be provided in research methods, programming, and other relevant skills, with opportunities to work at partner institutes and attend scientific conferences.

Funding for eligible students includes full coverage of home tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £20,780 for 3.5 years, in line with UKRI rates. Additional budgets are available for project costs (£9,000), conferences (£2,000), and specialist training (£1,000). Applicants should hold or expect to obtain a first or upper second class UK honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline such as environmental science, earth science, geography, or physics. Experience with climate modeling, data analysis, or programming is desirable but not essential. Funding eligibility is typically restricted to UK home students.

The application deadline is 8 January 2027. Interested candidates should apply online via the University of Exeter portal and review the NERC GW4+ DTP programme details. For project-specific inquiries, contact the lead supervisor, Dr R S Chadwick, at [email protected]. This studentship is ideal for those passionate about climate change research and eager to contribute to understanding and mitigating its impacts on global monsoon systems.