At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop AI models to optimise peatland regeneration and support decision-making.
- Company: University of Dundee, leading in innovative environmental research.
- Benefits: Gain a PhD, work on impactful projects, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in climate action while advancing your academic career.
- Qualifications: Strong quantitative skills in maths, statistics, or data science required.
- Other info: Open to UK and international applicants; application deadline is 9 January 2026.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
CRAFT – Co-designed Regenerative AI Flow Country Toolkit: credible, fast decision support for peatland rewetting.
The project will develop AI surrogate models to optimise peatland regeneration in Scotland’s Flow Country across multiple objectives, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity, wildfire risk, flood attenuation, and community benefits.
You will:
- Co‑design a Regenerative Scorecard with stakeholders (industry, government, NGOs, community groups) to capture local priorities and acceptable trade‑offs.
- Build and validate “peat‑aware” emulators of the JULES‑PEAT land‑surface model using approaches such as sparse multi‑output Gaussian processes and/or operator‑learning architectures (e.g. Fourier Neural Operators, DeepONets).
- Create a decision layer that ranks rewetting options under uncertainty, exposing uncertainty bands and scenario narratives and delivering a Regenerative Planning Toolbox for rapid scenario exploration.
This competition‑funded project is being recruited as part of the Leverhulme Doctoral Programme for Regenerative Innovation (Regnr8‑i) at the University of Dundee and is open to UK and international applicants. It is ideal for candidates with a strong quantitative background (e.g. mathematics, statistics, data science, physics, or related fields) and an interest in uncertainty quantification, machine learning for PDE/simulation models, and climate or environmental applications.
The application deadline for this competition is 9 January 2026. Please email the principal supervisor, Dr Eric Hall (ehall001@dundee.ac.uk), with any enquiries about the project as early as possible before the deadline.
Competition-funded PhDs at University of Dundee employer: Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
Contact Detail:
Institute of Mathematics and its Applications Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Competition-funded PhDs at University of Dundee
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the University of Dundee or similar projects. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects related to AI, peatland regeneration, or data science, make sure to highlight them in conversations. We want to see what you can do!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the project details. Understand the objectives around carbon sequestration and community benefits. We love candidates who are genuinely interested and informed!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at the University of Dundee.
We think you need these skills to ace Competition-funded PhDs at University of Dundee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Project: Before you start writing, take some time to really understand the project and its goals. Familiarise yourself with the CRAFT initiative and how your skills can contribute to peatland regeneration. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your quantitative background and any relevant experience in machine learning or environmental applications. We want to see how your unique skills align with the project's objectives, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it's necessary. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your materials correctly. Plus, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Dr Eric Hall before the deadline – he’s here to help!
How to prepare for a job interview at Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your quantitative skills and the specific AI techniques mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with concepts like Gaussian processes and machine learning architectures, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves co-designing a Regenerative Scorecard, think about how you would approach working with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different groups in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would capture local priorities.
✨Show Your Passion for the Environment
This project is all about peatland regeneration and environmental benefits. Be prepared to share why you're passionate about climate issues and how your background aligns with the goals of the project. This enthusiasm can really set you apart!
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready for Dr Eric Hall or the interview panel. This shows your genuine interest in the project and helps you understand the expectations better. Ask about the decision layer and how success will be measured in the project.