Funded PhD (45m + placement): Physics-Aware Foundation Model for Hydrology (HydroFM) — QUARTILES DLA

[David Haro Monteagudo]

Dear all,

We are readvertising this position.

We invite applications for a fully funded 45-month PhD (plus up to 3-month placement) at the University of Aberdeen under the QUARTILES Doctoral Landscape Award.

Project: HydroFM — A Physics-Aware Foundation Model for Hydrology
The student will develop a modular AI model (UNet + LSTM/TCN + graph routing) with water-balance constraints and calibrated uncertainty, pretrained on global EO/reanalysis/gauge data and adapted efficiently to new basins. Outputs include decision-ready metrics (low-flow reliability, environmental-flow deficits, peak-flow exceedance) and a future-scenarios pipeline.

Essential skills: Python (NumPy/pandas/xarray; PyTorch or similar), time-series and/or geospatial data, ML fundamentals, strong scientific communication, motivation to work across AI + hydrology.

Deadline: Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Apply: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/quartiles-dla-rivers-rewired-a-physics-aware-foundation-model-for-global-rainfall-runoff/
Enquiries: david.haro...@abdn.ac.uk

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive research environment. Unfortunately, the funding is only available to UK/Home candidates as the international allocation has now been filled.

Best,

David

Dr. David Haro Monteagudo

Lecturer in Global Hydrology and Water Security

Director of MSc in Sustainable Water Management

Geography & Environment,

School of Geosciences,

University of Aberdeen,

G07 St Mary's Building, Elphistone Rd

Aberdeen, Scotland, UK AB24 3UF

UK Top 20 (The Guardian University Guide 2021) 

World Top 180 (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021)