AFESP Fellowships

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Closing dates:

Pre-proposal/EoI submission deadline – 11:59 on 20 June 2025

Full proposal submission deadline (invited) – 30 September 2025

Interviews will be held: w/c 10 November 2025

The University of Reading is seeking Fellowship applicants to join the Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP) research programme.

We invite applications from early to mid-career researchers wishing to carry out independent research, with opportunities to apply for Junior or Senior Fellowships, appropriate to career stage.

These fellowships will enable outstanding academics to establish themselves as future leaders in the three AFESP research Themes. It is envisioned that up to three fellows will be funded with an expected duration of 3-5 years, starting in early 2026.

These roles will be funded by the research programme on Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP) - a £30million 15-year investment by the University of Reading, in partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts (ECMWF), the (UK) Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. The programme aims to tackle some of the far-term (10–15 year) and difficult (high-risk, high-reward) research challenges in global Earth System prediction. By enhancing our capabilities in global data assimilation, simulation and analysis, it will deliver a new class of accurate, reliable and usable forecasts, aiming to re-define the medium-range predictability limit from two to at least four weeks, enabling a wide range of new scientific and societal applications.

Initial investments in the AFESP programme have focused on investigator-led projects in collaboration with our partners, supporting postdoctoral researchers and fostering mechanisms for long-term partnerships. Notably, the University of Reading is currently funding six five-year research grants. These initial AFESP research projects, alongside a growing cohort of PhD students, are laying the foundation for a dynamic and thriving AFESP research ecosystem.

To further implement our strategy, we are excited to announce the launch of the AFESP Fellowship Programme. The fellowships will align with the AFESP science plan, while also encouraging innovative proposals that leverage AI-based approaches to environmental prediction. These approaches include exploring new methods for evaluating prediction skill, reliability, and inherent limitations.

These fellowships aim to empower ambitious researchers to consolidate their independence and position themselves as future leaders in the field. Fellows will also contribute to expanding the University’s expertise and fostering deeper collaborations with AFESP’s partners.

The AFESP fellowships will have an expected duration of 3–5 years. It is envisioned that up to three fellows will be funded in the period 2025-2030 across junior and senior levels.

Applicants should clearly indicate in their covering letter if they are applying as a Junior or Senior Fellow. Junior fellows will be appointed within grade 6 upper salary range or grade 7 lower salary range, and Senior fellows will be appointed within grade 7 upper salary range or grade 8 lower salary range (commensurate with career stage and experience).

Please see attached Job Descriptions and Person Specifications for the three positions.

Further details and full applicant guidance can be found here: Fellowship Opportunities 2025 - Earth System Prediction

Contact details

Contact Name: Professor Pier Luigi Vidale
Contact Job Title: AFESP Director of Science Collaboration
Contact Email address: AFESP-Research@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name: Claire Wyllie
Alternative Contact Job Title: AFESP Programme Manager
Alternative Contact Email address: AFESP-Research@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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