Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Climate Science and Data Science in the UK: UNRISK CDT 2027 Programme

Are you interested in climate change research, data science, environmental modelling, artificial intelligence, or evidence-based decision-making? The Understanding Uncertainty to Reduce Climate Risks (UNRISK) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue fully funded PhD studies in the United Kingdom while developing the scientific and analytical skills needed to address some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.

The UNRISK CDT is a multidisciplinary doctoral training programme involving the University of Leeds, University College London (UCL), and the University of Exeter. Supported through the UK research funding system and developed in collaboration with more than 40 external partners, the programme brings together climate science, data science, and decision science to improve our understanding of climate risks and support better decisions by governments, businesses, and communities.

For the 2027 intake, UNRISK is advertising PhD research opportunities across a wide range of subjects. The programme expects to recruit approximately 18 students for October 2027 entry, with 38 project descriptions planned and 18 projects expected to recruit a student. Not every project description is necessarily an available funded position, so applicants should check the recruitment status of individual projects carefully.

Successful applicants can receive funding covering university tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, individual research support, and cohort-level training activities for a period of three years and nine months. International students may also apply, although the number of funded places available to international applicants is limited.

Application deadline: 13 January 2027 at 13:00 GMT. The application system is scheduled to open on 16 November 2026. Applicants should not submit the University of Leeds application before the opening date because the required programme codes will not yet be available.

1. About the UNRISK Centre for Doctoral Training

Understanding Uncertainty to Reduce Climate Risks, commonly known as UNRISK, is a Centre for Doctoral Training established to develop researchers with the multidisciplinary knowledge and practical skills needed to understand climate uncertainty and reduce the risks associated with climate change.

A Centre for Doctoral Training differs from a conventional PhD programme because students undertake their individual research projects while also participating in a shared training programme with other doctoral researchers.

This cohort-based model allows students to learn from researchers working on related problems, share ideas across disciplines, and develop transferable skills that can be applied in academic research, government, industry, consultancy, and other professional settings.

UNRISK focuses on three interconnected areas:

• Climate science: Understanding the climate system, predicting future changes, and investigating the physical processes responsible for climate hazards.
• Data science: Using statistics, computational modelling, machine learning, and other analytical approaches to interpret climate data and quantify uncertainty.
• Decision science: Understanding how evidence, uncertainty, risk, and human preferences influence decisions about climate adaptation, mitigation, investment, and public policy.

These three areas are brought together to address a central question: how can society make better decisions when the future climate and its impacts cannot be predicted with complete certainty?

The programme is particularly relevant because uncertainty can delay decisions about infrastructure, environmental protection, public health, food security, economic development, and climate adaptation. UNRISK aims to develop researchers capable of producing more useful evidence and communicating it in ways that support effective action.

2. Why Climate Uncertainty Matters

Climate change is creating increasingly important challenges for societies around the world. However, understanding the direction and magnitude of future climate impacts remains difficult.

Scientists can identify broad trends, such as global warming and rising sea levels, but uncertainty remains about the timing, severity, location, and consequences of many specific climate events.

For example, decision-makers may need to know how frequently extreme rainfall could occur in a particular region, how drought conditions might affect agricultural production, or how much sea levels could rise over the lifetime of a coastal infrastructure project.

These questions are difficult because the climate system involves many interacting processes. Future emissions, atmospheric circulation, ocean dynamics, land-use changes, and local geographical conditions can all influence the outcomes.

Uncertainty does not mean that climate science is unable to provide useful information. Instead, it means that researchers must understand the limitations of available evidence, quantify the range of plausible outcomes, and communicate the implications clearly.

UNRISK trains doctoral researchers to investigate these challenges and produce evidence that can help decision-makers compare options, prepare for hazards, and reduce avoidable risks.

Major challenges addressed by UNRISK

The programme’s research areas include:

• Extreme storms and other severe weather events.
• Heatwaves and changing temperature patterns.
• Sea-level rise and coastal hazards.
• Flooding and drought.
• Declining crop yields and climate-related food security risks.
• Changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
• Ice-sheet decline and other major climate-system changes.
• Climate tipping points and potentially abrupt changes.
• Climate mitigation pathways and transitions towards net zero.
• The ways people perceive, communicate, and respond to climate risks.

These challenges require researchers who can combine scientific knowledge with quantitative methods and an understanding of how evidence is used in practical decisions.

3. Universities Participating in the UNRISK Programme

UNRISK is delivered through three leading UK universities. Each doctoral researcher is registered at one of these institutions according to their selected research project.

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds manages the UNRISK CDT and its application administration. It is also one of the universities where students can undertake their PhD research.

Research opportunities may involve climate modelling, environmental science, statistical analysis, risk assessment, and other subjects relevant to the programme.

Applicants considering a Leeds-based project should review the project description, identify the proposed supervisory team, and check the admission requirements of the relevant school or department.

University College London (UCL)

University College London is another participating institution. UCL-based projects contribute to UNRISK’s wider research programme on climate uncertainty, environmental risk, data analysis, and decision-making.

Applicants should assess the particular project’s scientific focus and the expertise of its proposed supervisors before deciding whether it matches their academic interests and career objectives.

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter also hosts UNRISK doctoral research. Projects may examine climate processes, environmental impacts, statistical methods, risk assessment, and the development of evidence for climate-related decisions.

As with the other participating universities, candidates must meet the applicable postgraduate research admission requirements of the institution and department hosting their selected project.

A collaborative doctoral experience

Although students are registered at different universities, they participate in shared cohort training and research activities. Students can interact online and attend residential events designed to strengthen their understanding of climate science, data science, and decision science.

This structure allows participants to benefit from the expertise of multiple institutions while developing a professional network that extends beyond a single university or research discipline.

4. UNRISK PhD Funding: What Does the Scholarship Cover?

One of the main attractions of the UNRISK programme is its financial support for selected doctoral researchers.

The published funding package covers university tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, and additional resources for research and training. The funding period is three years and nine months, reflecting the programme’s research and professional development requirements.

A. Full tuition fees

Successful funded students receive tuition-fee support for their doctoral studies.

For international applicants, UNRISK states that the scholarship covers the full international tuition fee rather than limiting its contribution to the lower UK Home fee rate.

This is particularly important for overseas students because the difference between Home and international tuition fees can otherwise represent a significant financial burden.

B. Maintenance stipend

Students receive a maintenance stipend at the standard UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate applicable to the programme. The stipend rises each year in line with the applicable UKRI arrangements.

The stipend is intended to help students meet their living costs while concentrating on their doctoral research and training.

Applicants should consult the current UKRI funding guidance and the official UNRISK website for the applicable stipend rate. A specific annual amount should not be assumed unless it is confirmed for the relevant academic year.

C. Individual Research Training and Support Grant

Each student receives an individual Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG) of £6,000.

This allocation is intended to support research-related needs and training activities during the PhD.

Depending on the approved research plan and programme rules, research support can help students access resources needed to conduct their work and develop their technical expertise.

Applicants should confirm with the programme team which expenses are eligible under the grant.

D. Cohort-level training support

The programme provides approximately £5,000 per student for cohort-level training activities.

These activities form an important part of the Centre for Doctoral Training model. Students participate in shared training events, residential research activities, and other opportunities designed to develop skills beyond their individual research topics.

The cohort-level allocation supports the delivery of these activities; it should not be interpreted as an additional £5,000 cash payment to each student.

E. Flexible Fund

UNRISK also provides access to a Flexible Fund for special self-initiated activities.

Examples may include projects connected with public engagement, outreach, and widening participation. Such activities can help students communicate research findings to wider audiences and explore additional professional interests.

The availability and use of this funding are subject to programme arrangements and approval.

F. Research placement and residential events

The funding period includes an expectation that students undertake a three-month placement and participate in cohort-based residential research events.

These activities are intended to help students develop professional experience, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and understand how climate research can be used outside the immediate university environment.

The specific placement arrangements will depend on the student’s research and programme requirements.

Important financial consideration for international students

Although UNRISK covers full international tuition fees for funded international students, it does not cover the costs of obtaining a student visa or paying the UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

The official funding information estimates these costs at approximately £3,000–£4,000 for overseas students, although actual costs can vary.

International applicants should therefore budget carefully for visa-related expenses, travel, relocation, and any other costs not explicitly included in the funding package.

5. How Many PhD Positions Are Available for 2027?

UNRISK’s published recruitment information indicates that the programme expects to recruit approximately 18 students for the October 2027 intake.

The projects page states that 38 research project descriptions are planned, of which 18 will recruit a student.

This distinction matters: the number of research descriptions is not the same as the number of funded vacancies.

Some project descriptions may be intended to illustrate potential research areas, while others will be linked to an available studentship. The status of each project should therefore be checked before applying.

The programme also encourages applicants to contact prospective supervisors to discuss the research topic and determine whether it aligns with their interests and experience.

Research projects may be refined or developed in collaboration with prospective students, but applicants should not assume that they can design an entirely independent project unless they are applying through the separate self-funded route.

6. Research Areas Available Through UNRISK

UNRISK covers a broad range of research questions at the intersection of climate science, data science, and decision science.

The 2027 project descriptions are being published during October 2026. Applicants should consult the official project listings for the latest available opportunities and their recruitment status.

A. Climate modelling and future climate projections

Climate models are essential tools for understanding how the climate system may change under different conditions.

However, models can produce different results because they use different representations of physical processes, assumptions, data sources, and computational approaches.

Research in this area can investigate how to reduce uncertainty in climate projections and improve the usefulness of model outputs.

Possible questions include:

• How can climate models better represent physical processes?
• How can differences between models be understood and quantified?
• How can researchers improve regional climate predictions?
• How can uncertainty in future climate scenarios be communicated to decision-makers?

These questions are relevant to governments, infrastructure planners, environmental agencies, and organisations preparing for long-term climate impacts.

B. Extreme weather and rare-event modelling

Extreme weather events can have substantial consequences for public safety, infrastructure, agriculture, insurance, and economic activity.

However, very severe events may occur infrequently, making them difficult to analyse using conventional statistical methods.

Research in this area can explore advanced modelling approaches for estimating the likelihood and severity of rare events, including extreme windstorms, floods, heatwaves, and other hazards.

Improved estimates can help organisations plan for events that are unusual but potentially damaging.

C. Flooding, drought, and water-related risks

Changes in rainfall patterns and temperature can affect the availability and distribution of water.

Floods can damage infrastructure and displace communities, while droughts can affect agriculture, food security, ecosystems, and water supplies.

UNRISK research may investigate how uncertainty in climate projections affects estimates of future flood and drought risks.

The results can help decision-makers develop more robust water-management strategies and adaptation plans.

D. Sea-level rise and coastal resilience

Rising sea levels create long-term risks for coastal communities, transport networks, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

However, the magnitude and timing of local sea-level changes can be affected by several interacting processes, including ocean dynamics, land movement, and ice-sheet behaviour.

Research in this area can examine how uncertainty in sea-level projections affects coastal planning and investment decisions.

It can also help develop methods for evaluating adaptation options under a range of possible future conditions.

E. Ice-sheet dynamics and polar climate

Changes in major ice sheets can have far-reaching implications for global sea levels.

Understanding these changes requires researchers to combine observations, physical models, statistical methods, and uncertainty analysis.

Research in this area can investigate how uncertainties in ice-sheet processes affect future projections and how those uncertainties can be reduced.

F. Biodiversity and ecosystem responses

Climate change interacts with land use, habitat conditions, and human activity to influence biodiversity.

Research in this area may examine how species and ecosystems respond to changing climate conditions, how those responses can be modelled, and how uncertainty affects predictions of future biodiversity.

Such work can inform conservation planning, ecosystem management, and policies intended to protect natural systems.

G. Tropical forests and climate mitigation

Tropical forests play important roles in carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and climate regulation.

However, estimates of future forest conditions can be affected by uncertainty in climate projections, ecological processes, land-use change, and other factors.

UNRISK’s published project listings include research relating to uncertainty in tropical forest forecasts and their implications for climate change mitigation.

This research area is relevant to forest conservation, carbon management, environmental policy, and international climate action.

H. Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Data-driven methods are becoming increasingly important in climate research.

Machine learning can help identify patterns in complex datasets, improve predictive models, and support the analysis of large volumes of climate information.

However, these methods also introduce questions about uncertainty, reliability, interpretability, and how model outputs should be used in decisions.

Research in this area may investigate how advanced statistical and AI approaches can improve climate predictions or help quantify the uncertainty associated with them.

Applicants with backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, physics, or related quantitative disciplines may find relevant projects, provided they meet the requirements of the specific position.

I. Climate risk perception and communication

Scientific evidence does not automatically translate into effective decisions.

The way people perceive, interpret, and communicate risk can influence whether they accept scientific findings, invest in adaptation, or take action to reduce vulnerability.

Research in this area can examine how uncertainty is communicated, how people understand climate risks, and how decision-support tools can provide more useful information.

This work may be relevant to public policy, behavioural research, risk communication, disaster preparedness, and climate services.

J. Decision-making under uncertainty

Governments, companies, and communities must often make decisions before the future is fully known.

For example, infrastructure investment decisions may need to account for uncertain future rainfall, temperatures, energy demand, or sea levels.

Decision science provides methods for evaluating alternatives, balancing competing objectives, and identifying strategies that remain useful across different possible futures.

UNRISK research in this area seeks to improve the evidence and analytical methods available to decision-makers facing climate-related uncertainty.

7. Multidisciplinary Training and Professional Development

UNRISK is designed to develop more than subject-specific research knowledge. Its training programme also builds the analytical, computational, communication, and decision-making skills required for careers in climate science and related fields.

The training is undertaken alongside the student’s individual PhD research.

Computer modelling

Students can develop skills in modelling complex systems, interpreting model outputs, and understanding the assumptions that influence predictions.

Machine learning

Training may cover data-driven approaches for analysing complex datasets, identifying patterns, and improving predictions.

Digital twinning

Digital twins use digital representations of systems or processes to support analysis, monitoring, simulation, and decision-making.

In climate-related contexts, such approaches can help researchers explore scenarios, understand system behaviour, and examine the consequences of different decisions.

Rare-event modelling

Students can develop methods for investigating low-probability but high-impact events.

This is important for climate risks because events such as severe floods, extreme storms, or other hazards may be uncommon but have significant consequences.

Model-observation fusion

Combining observational evidence with model outputs can help researchers improve estimates of environmental conditions and evaluate the performance of predictive systems.

Students may develop skills in integrating different information sources and understanding the uncertainties associated with them.

Decision systems and decision-making under uncertainty

Students learn methods for translating scientific evidence into decisions.

This can involve comparing options, evaluating risks, considering stakeholder priorities, and identifying strategies that perform well under multiple possible future conditions.

Risk communication

Researchers must be able to explain their findings clearly to audiences who may not have specialist scientific knowledge.

Training in uncertainty and risk communication can help students present complex results in ways that are accessible, accurate, and useful to decision-makers.

8. Industry Partnerships and Real-World Research Experience

UNRISK collaborates with more than 40 external organisations, including organisations working in climate services, weather and climate operations, consultancy, finance, reinsurance, regulation, public services, and humanitarian activities.

These partnerships are a key feature of the programme.

They provide opportunities to connect academic research with practical challenges faced by organisations that need reliable climate information.

External partners may contribute through:

• Research collaboration and project development.
• Co-supervision and specialist expertise.
• Training activities and professional workshops.
• Placement opportunities.
• Partner-led Challenge Weeks.
• Discussions about how climate information is used in operational settings.

This exposure can help students understand how research findings are applied in practice and develop an appreciation of the needs of different employers.

It can also help them identify potential career pathways beyond traditional university research.

9. Who Is Eligible to Apply for UNRISK PhD Funding?

UNRISK accepts applications from UK and international candidates, subject to academic admission requirements and the funding restrictions that apply to international students.

Applicants should assess their qualifications and experience against the requirements of their intended project and the university where it is based.

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Academic qualification

The minimum academic requirement is normally a 2:1 honours degree or an equivalent qualification in a subject relevant to the proposed research area.

Applicants with relevant master’s-level study may also demonstrate additional preparation for doctoral research.

A master’s degree is not compulsory for every applicant. The programme considers the full profile of relevant knowledge, skills, academic preparation, and experience.

Non-UK qualifications of an equivalent standard are accepted.

Relevant subject background

The appropriate academic background depends on the project.

Potentially relevant disciplines include:

• Climate science and meteorology.
• Environmental science.
• Earth sciences and geophysics.
• Mathematics and statistics.
• Data science and computer science.
• Physics and engineering.
• Geography and environmental modelling.
• Ecology and biodiversity research.
• Economics, policy, behavioural science, or decision science for relevant projects.

This list is illustrative rather than exhaustive. Applicants must check the entry requirements of their chosen project and its host department.

Previous PhD study

Applicants who have already been awarded a PhD or who are currently registered for a PhD are not eligible to apply for the UNRISK studentships.

People who previously started a PhD but did not complete it may be considered, depending on their circumstances.

English-language proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy the English-language requirements of the university and school where their research will take place.

A qualifying English-language certificate does not necessarily have to be available by the application deadline. However, successful candidates must meet the relevant requirements before registering for the programme.

Language tests must generally be no more than two years old at the start of study, subject to the applicable university rules.

International applicants

Candidates from outside the UK can apply. However, UKRI funding rules limit the number of international students who can be supported through the programme, so competition for these places is particularly strong.

UNRISK states that funded international students receive full tuition-fee support, including the international fee rate.

However, the funding does not cover visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, or other relocation expenses not explicitly included in the award.

Applicants should also ensure that they meet the entry and immigration requirements applicable to their intended university.

Applicants with their own funding

A limited number of additional places may be available to applicants who already have their own funding, such as an external scholarship.

Such applicants must have a research project closely aligned with UNRISK. Their project must be developed with an academic staff member in one of the participating universities and approved by the UNRISK Director.

Self-funded applicants are still expected to meet the programme’s academic and selection standards.

10. Diversity, Inclusion, and Underrepresented Applicants

UNRISK aims to make doctoral research more accessible to people from a range of backgrounds.

For the 2027 recruitment round, the programme has announced ring-fenced interview opportunities and a scholarship for UK/Home fee applicants who identify as belonging to groups underrepresented within the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

The identified groups include:

• People from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds who self-identify as belonging to these groups.
• Disabled applicants who self-identify as disabled.
• Applicants from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who meet the programme’s specified criteria.

These measures apply to eligible UK/Home fee candidates and do not mean that the programme is restricted to applicants from those groups.

Participation in the diversity initiative is voluntary. Information is collected separately from the standard application and is not visible to recruitment panels or used in selection decisions unless the candidate opts into the ring-fenced process.

Applicants who opt in must still meet the programme’s required standard and are assessed on merit.

International applicants should not assume that the ring-fenced scholarship or interview arrangements apply to them. They should consult the current recruitment guidance for the precise eligibility rules.

11. Application Deadline and Important Dates for UNRISK 2027

The published recruitment timeline for the 2027 intake is as follows.

Application stage	Date
Research projects advertised	Early October 2026
Application system opens	16 November 2026
Application deadline	13 January 2027, 13:00 GMT
Interview invitations	18–26 February 2027
Interviewee open day	1 March 2027
Interviews	3–5 March 2027
Offers expected	10–17 March 2027
PhD programme begins	October 2027

Applicants should check the official website for updates because project details and administrative dates can change.

The application deadline is strict. Both the University of Leeds online application and the UNRISK-specific form must be submitted before the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.

12. How to Apply for the UNRISK CDT 2027 PhD Programme

The application process has two essential components: the University of Leeds online application form and the UNRISK-specific application form.

All candidates must complete both, even if their chosen project is based at UCL or the University of Exeter.

Step 1: Explore the available PhD projects

Visit the official research projects page and review the available projects for the 2027 intake.

Read the project descriptions carefully and consider how they relate to your academic background, research interests, technical skills, and long-term career plans.

The programme encourages applicants to contact potential supervisors between early October and late December 2026.

These conversations can help applicants understand the project’s aims, discuss possible refinements, and determine whether the supervisory team is a suitable match.

You may select up to two projects in the UNRISK application. You should only select a second project if you are genuinely interested in it.

Step 2: Prepare your academic documents

Prepare the supporting documents required by the application process.

These include:

• Copies of degree certificates.
• Academic transcripts.
• Provisional transcripts if you are still studying.
• English-language test results, if available.
• Certified English translations of documents that are not in English.

Do not send original academic documents at the application stage.

Applicants should check the relevant university’s requirements and ensure that their documents are clear and complete.

Step 3: Complete the University of Leeds online application

The University of Leeds manages the administrative application system for UNRISK.

The application system is scheduled to open on 16 November 2026. Applicants should not attempt to submit the form before that date because the necessary programme codes will not yet be available.

When completing the form, select “NERC UNRISK CDT” as the planned course of study.

Selecting the correct programme is essential because the university needs to identify the application as belonging to UNRISK.

After submitting the Leeds online application, you should receive an automatically generated confirmation email within approximately 24 hours. This email provides your Student ID, which is required for the next step.

Step 4: Complete the UNRISK-specific application form

Once you have received your Student ID, complete the UNRISK application form.

The form combines a structured CV with a personal statement designed to assess your motivation, preparation, and suitability for doctoral research.

The previous application guidance identifies the following questions and indicative word limits:

• Motivation for a PhD: 100 words.
• Why a Centre for Doctoral Training and why UNRISK: 100 words.
• Motivation for your first-choice research project and supervisory team: 200 words.
• Skills and experience that have prepared you for PhD research: 400 words.

Optional sections may ask about your second-choice project, personal circumstances affecting your application, additional qualifications or training, peer-reviewed publications, and employment history.

Applicants do not need to submit a separate traditional CV, personal statement, or academic references as additional documents under the previous process. The structured form is intended to capture the relevant information.

The application guidance for the 2027 round is being updated, so candidates should confirm the final questions and requirements once the application system opens.

Step 5: Submit both applications before the deadline

Completing only one form is not sufficient.

You must submit both the University of Leeds online application and the UNRISK-specific application form before 13:00 GMT on 13 January 2027.

Make sure that your Student ID, name, selected project, and other details are consistent across the two systems.

Check the relevant instructions carefully and allow enough time to resolve any technical issues before the deadline.

Step 6: Prepare for the interview

Interview invitations are expected to be sent between 18 and 26 February 2027.

The interview period is scheduled for 3–5 March 2027, with an interviewee open day planned for 1 March.

Candidates should be prepared to explain why they want to undertake doctoral research, what attracts them to their selected project, and how their academic preparation and experience will help them succeed.

They should also be able to discuss the project’s scientific questions and explain how their interests relate to UNRISK’s wider focus on climate uncertainty and risk.

Offers are expected to be issued between 10 and 17 March 2027.

13. How to Strengthen Your UNRISK Application

Competition for funded doctoral positions can be strong, particularly for international applicants. A thoughtful application can help demonstrate that you are prepared for the demands of doctoral research.

Demonstrate a strong research fit

Choose projects that genuinely match your academic background and interests.

Explain why the research question matters to you, what relevant knowledge or skills you bring, and what you hope to learn during the PhD.

Avoid selecting a project simply because it appears to offer funding. The supervisory team needs to understand why the specific research topic is suitable for you.

Provide evidence of research preparation

Use concrete examples from your academic studies, dissertation, laboratory work, data analysis, professional employment, or other relevant experiences.

Explain what you did, which skills you developed, and how the experience prepared you for independent research.

If you have not previously worked on a climate-specific project, highlight transferable skills where relevant, such as statistics, coding, quantitative analysis, scientific writing, or systematic investigation.

Explain why UNRISK is the right programme

The Centre for Doctoral Training model includes shared training, cohort activities, interdisciplinary learning, and industry engagement.

Explain why this structure would help you achieve your research and professional objectives.

Show that you understand the value of working across climate science, data science, and decision science.

Contact prospective supervisors

The programme encourages prospective applicants to contact supervisors before applying.

A useful discussion can help clarify the project’s aims, identify relevant background knowledge, and establish whether the project matches your interests.

Prepare focused questions and explain briefly how your experience relates to the research topic.

Follow the word limits and instructions

The structured personal statement uses specific word limits for different questions.

Answer each question directly and provide evidence rather than relying on broad claims about your enthusiasm or abilities.

Make sure your writing is your own. The programme’s guidance emphasises the importance of submitting original responses and warns against AI-generated text in the application materials.

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14. Career Opportunities After the UNRISK PhD

UNRISK aims to prepare researchers for careers in academia and in organisations that use climate information to support decisions.

The combination of climate science, data science, and decision science can be relevant to a wide range of sectors.

Academic and scientific research

Graduates may pursue research careers in universities, research institutes, or other scientific organisations.

Their experience with climate modelling, uncertainty quantification, data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration can support further research on climate systems and environmental risks.

Climate services and forecasting

Climate services organisations provide information that helps governments, businesses, and communities understand and respond to climate conditions.

Researchers with experience in climate modelling, statistical analysis, and risk communication can contribute to improving the quality and usefulness of these services.

Government and public policy

Public institutions need reliable evidence to guide decisions about infrastructure, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and long-term investment.

UNRISK’s focus on decision-making under uncertainty can prepare graduates to contribute to research, analysis, policy development, and public-sector decision support.

Consulting and risk analysis

Consultancies and risk-focused organisations use quantitative methods to assess environmental risks, compare possible scenarios, and advise clients.

Graduates with relevant technical skills may contribute to climate-risk assessment, resilience planning, environmental analysis, and the development of decision-support tools.

Finance and insurance

Climate risks can influence insurance exposure, investment decisions, infrastructure planning, and financial stability.

Research skills in modelling uncertainty, evaluating extreme events, and interpreting climate projections can be relevant to financial and insurance organisations seeking to understand climate-related risks.

Data science and artificial intelligence

The programme’s training in statistical methods, machine learning, computational modelling, and data analysis can also support careers involving complex datasets and predictive systems.

The precise opportunities available to each graduate will depend on their research topic, technical skills, professional experience, and the requirements of prospective employers.

Conclusion

The UNRISK Centre for Doctoral Training offers a valuable opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue PhD studies focused on understanding climate uncertainty and reducing climate risks.

Through its collaboration between the University of Leeds, University College London, and the University of Exeter, the programme combines specialist doctoral research with interdisciplinary training in climate science, data science, and decision science.

The funding package includes tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, a £6,000 individual Research Training and Support Grant, approximately £5,000 per student for cohort-level training activities, and access to a Flexible Fund. Funding lasts three years and nine months and includes an expected three-month placement and participation in residential research events.

The programme welcomes applications from UK and international candidates with at least a 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. However, international funded places are limited, and overseas applicants must plan for visa, health surcharge, and relocation costs that are not covered by the scholarship.

For the 2027 intake, the application system opens on 16 November 2026, and the deadline is 13 January 2027 at 13:00 GMT. Applicants should explore the available projects, contact potential supervisors, prepare their supporting documents, and follow the official instructions for submitting both required application forms.

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For anyone seeking to build a research career in climate science, environmental modelling, machine learning, or climate-risk decision-making, UNRISK provides an interdisciplinary route to develop advanced research skills and contribute to work with real-world significance.