PhD in Statistics for AI Weather Models and Climate Extremes at the University of Geneva University of Geneva in Switzerland

PhD position in statistics at the University of Geneva (GSEM / Research Institute for Statistics and Information Science, RISIS) focused on the intersection of AI weather models, extreme value theory, and climate science.

The successful candidate will join Professor Sebastian Engelke’s research group and work on statistical methods for AI-based weather forecasting systems such as GraphCast, AIFS, and GenCast, with applications to climate extremes and the analysis/prediction of extreme events.

This is a PhD assistant position at 80% with an annual gross salary of about 55,000 CHF (approximately 60,000 EUR). The appointment is on a renewable 2-year contract, with a maximum duration of 5 years. In addition to research, the role includes teaching assistant duties for bachelor’s and master’s courses, such as tutorials, exam preparation, grading, and supervision of master’s theses.

Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree in statistics, probability theory, climate science, or a related field; strong interest in extreme value theory, machine learning, climate science, or weather forecasting; excellent Python skills; and excellent English communication skills. The candidate is expected to enrol in the GSEM PhD in Statistics.

Deadline: 31 May 2026 (midnight, Geneva time). Start date: 1 September 2026 or by agreement.

How to apply: submit a motivation letter, detailed CV with two references, Bachelor/Master transcripts, and theses if available via the University of Geneva application portal. Email applications will not be considered.