Why study a PhD with us?

We are the only dedicated meteorology department in the UK, and also host significant components of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO).

A new, state-of-the-art international headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is also to be built on our Whiteknights campus.

By choosing to study with us, you will join what will become the largest community of weather and climate scientists in the world.

• The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

• We are ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League 2023/24).

• In 2023, the University of Reading was the first ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.

• The University has been awarded a 2021 Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of our world-leading research, teaching, stewardship and outreach on climate change.

• We are ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework 2021).
• We are ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science (Reading is 1st out of the UK universities ranked in the ShanghaiRanking 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).
• We are ranked 5th in the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences (Guardian University Guide, 2025).
• The University of Reading is the most represented organisation in the UK on the Reuters Hot List of the world’s top climate scientists 2021.
• Our climate scientists played a leading role in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which warns that damaging effects of climate change are already being seen across the globe.
• We gave the world climate stripes. Designed by Professor Ed Hawkins, the climate stripes present a compelling visualisation of how global temperatures have risen since the mid-19th century due to human-caused climate change. The stripes have been shared by the likes of Greta Thunberg and the United Nations, as well as thousands of others around the world.

The Department of Meteorology has a long track record of internationally-renowned research, working with a wide variety of industrial and academic partners to achieve significant social and economic benefits.

Research within the Department is broad and extensive, covering the areas of weather, climate, earth observation and space weather, with regular seminar programmes in all research areas.

Our pioneering research informs how governments, organisations, industries and communities respond to complex issues such as climate change, ozone depletion, atmospheric pollution and space weather.

97% of our research is world leading or internationally excellent and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences).

The Department of Meteorology has active collaborations with other departments at Reading, including Mathematics and Geography – providing you with opportunities for interdisciplinary research across campus.

We also collaborate with external institutions and other universities in the UK, including:

• Met Office
• European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
• Centre of Ecology and Hydrology
• University of Oxford
• University of Leeds
• University of Exeter
• Imperial College London.

These research partnerships offer exciting opportunities for collaboration, enabling you to broaden your studies and enrich your research.

We have long-established relationships with commercial and governmental organisations within the meteorological, climate and related sectors.

Our industy partners include the Environment Agency, NASA, the World Meteorological Organization, the European Space Agency, and the National Centre of Atmospheric Science.

These organisations actively participate in Department life – some collaborate in the delivery of our taught modules, for example – enabling you to learn from professionals in the field, and to gain insight into a variety of sectors and careers.

NERC Climate System and Biodiversity Science CROCUS Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA)

Funded PhD opportunities training a new generation of environmental scientists to become interdisciplinary experts with strong quantitative skills, creative thinkers, and leaders in sustainability and inclusivity. Such knowledge and skills are critical in delivering the ambitious Net Zero, adaptation and restoration plans adopted by governments and businesses worldwide. Find out more about funding from NERC CROCUS DLA

NERC AI-INTERVENE Doctoral Focal Award (DFA)

The AI for Unlocking Datasets for Biodiversity Assessment and Prediction (AI-INTERVENE) DFA is training a new generation of AI-empowered data scientists. They will be equipped with the required AI and data science tools, ecological knowledge and wider interdisciplinary skillset to unlock the full potential of the wealth of existing and emerging sources of biodiversity data. Find out more about funding from AI-INTERVENE

Earth System Prediction Doctoral Training Programme

Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP) offers this Doctoral Training Programme for researchers keen to address next-generation challenges in Earth system prediction, and operational weather and climate forecasting. You will be trained and embedded within the overall AFESP programme, which the University is delivering in partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the UK Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. Find out more about funding from Earth System Prediction Doctoral Training Programme

Mathematics for our Future Climate

Are you ready to be at the forefront of mathematical solutions for climate challenges? The Mathematics for our Future Climate Centre for Doctoral Training programme is an interdisciplinary initiative that harnesses the power of mathematics to address the urgent issues presented by climate change. Find out more about funding from Mathematics for our Future Climate

Additional doctoral training programmes

The University of Reading is a major centre of research and training to tackle the environmental science and sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow, you can explore additional doctoral training programmes

NERC SCENARIO DTP

The SCENARIO Doctoral Training Partnership brings partners from the public and industrial sectors together with academic supervisors to enable students to develop scientific expertise in environmental risk and sustainability. This DTP is no longer recruiting. Find out more about the NERC SCENARIO DTP

Overall, 90% of graduates from Meteorology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21; includes postgraduate (taught) and postgraduate (research) Meteorology responders).

Many of our PhD graduates go on to work in academia as postdoctoral researchers, or find employment in public sector policy and research institutions, as well as industries impacted by changes in weather and climate.

Careers are available in a variety of areas, including weather forecasting, risk analysis, insurance and re-insurance, oil extraction and mining, and even in sports organisations.

Your training in mathematical and programming techniques can also lead to opportunities in finance and IT.

Read the Royal Meteorological Society's careers brochure (PDF)