PhD Studentship - Predicting and Mitigating Megafires under Climate Change, CASE project with WTW University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

This PhD project at the University of East Anglia investigates the global risk of megafires—extreme wildfires that pose significant threats to society, ecosystems, and carbon storage. Leveraging recent advances in satellite observations and machine learning, the research aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms that promote or inhibit megafires across different regions. The successful candidate will develop a comprehensive global dataset of individual fires, integrating meteorological and landscape variables to identify and distinguish megafires from typical fires.

Using machine learning techniques, the project will diagnose conditions that make regions prone to megafires, disentangling the roles of weather, landscape, and human factors in fire ignition and suppression. Regional trends in megafire occurrence and weather patterns will be analyzed, with opportunities to contribute to major scientific reports. Training will be provided in programming (Python/R), geospatial data analysis, machine/deep learning, and scientific communication.

Applicants should hold at least a UK equivalent Bachelors (Honours) 2:1 in a numerate, computational, or environmental discipline, with desirable experience in Python or R. English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, 6 in each category) is required. The position is fully funded through an ARIES studentship, covering tuition, a maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26), and a research training grant. International applicants may have the fee difference waived, but relocation, visa, and health surcharge costs are not covered.

The start date is 1 October 2026. For more information, visit the supervisor’s research team page.