Funded PhD (45m + placement): Physics-Aware Foundation Model for Hydrology (HydroFM) — QUARTILES DLA
David Haro Monteagudo
Dear all,
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.
Training & support: front-loaded QUARTILES training; weekly supervision; hydrology–AI reading group; HPC/GPU access; curated data loaders; and a partner placement.
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, 14 January 2026
Apply and enquiries: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/quartiles-dla-rivers-rewired-a-physics-aware-foundation-model-for-global-rainfall-runoff/?p191499
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive research environment.
David Haro Monteagudo
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.
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.
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
David
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)