PhD Studentship in Explainable AI for Atmospheric Multi-Pollutant Analysis

Funding Available To: Chinese and international students

Funding Amount:

CNY 189,600 per year (fully funded: tuition fees fully covered, plus living allowance) for four academic years

Hours: Full-time for four academic years, starting 1 September 2026

Closing Date: 30 June 2026, or until positions are filled (applications considered on a rolling basis) 

Project Description

We are recruiting three PhD candidates to join an interdisciplinary research project focusing on PM2.5–O₃ complex air pollution in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The project integrates explainable artificial intelligence and atmospheric chemistry to:

• Analyse the driving mechanisms of extreme weather on pollution formation
• Provide scientific support for air quality management and carbon neutrality
• Address key challenges in long-term air pollution forecasting 

Possible Research Focus Areas

Data Imputation

• Integrate space–air–ground multi-dimensional observations (including UAV vertical profiles)
• Develop GAN-based data imputation frameworks
• Construct a long-term (≈30-year), high-resolution meteorological–pollution dataset

Pollution Mechanisms

• Investigate the synergistic formation of PM2.5 and O₃
• Characterize the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of complex air pollution events

Explainable Modelling

• Develop physically constrained explainable machine learning models (e.g., PINNs)
• Reveal nonlinear relationships between extreme weather and complex pollution
• Conduct cross-validation against chemical transport models (CTMs)

Risk Forecasting and Policy

• Analyse historical pollution trends
• Project future emission scenarios
• Build a pollution risk forecasting demonstration platform
• Support evidence-based air quality governance and carbon neutrality pathways 

BNBU and Supervisory Team

Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) (www.bnbu.edu.cn) is a pioneering joint university established in 2005. It represents an unprecedented collaboration in higher education between mainland China and Hong Kong. BNBU adopts English as the medium of instruction and offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees, which are conferred by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).

This project is jointly supervised by:

• The Artificial Intelligence team at BNBU
• The Atmospheric Environment team at HKBU

The BNBU team provides leading expertise in explainable AI and big data analytics, while the HKBU team offers core technical support in atmospheric chemistry modelling and access to international research collaborations and academic networks. The complementary strengths of the two institutions provide students with a comprehensive research support system.

PhD students will:

• Participate in core research activities
• Conduct experimental studies
• Engage in international academic exchanges
• Collaborate across both institutions

The supervisory team has extensive experience publishing in high-impact journals and top international conferences and will provide full-cycle academic guidance. Students are encouraged to present research findings at top international conferences, with financial support provided (subject to supervisor approval). 

Admission Requirements

Academic Qualifications (one of the following)

• Master's degree from a recognized university or equivalent institution
• First-class honours bachelor's degree from a recognized university, with evidence of research achievements or experience

Academic Background

Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the following:

• Environmental Science
• Atmospheric Science
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Or a closely related discipline

Applicants should also demonstrate:

• A strong academic foundation
• Strong interest in the research directions

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants with any of the following are especially encouraged to apply:

• Experience in machine learning or deep learning
• Knowledge of atmospheric chemistry or air quality modelling
• Publications in relevant journals 

English Language Requirements

For non-native English speakers or applicants without full English-medium undergraduate education:

• TOEFL iBT ≥ 79
• IELTS ≥ 6.5
• CET-6 ≥ 500 and speaking score ≥ B

Not accepted:

• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• IELTS Indicator

All English test scores must be valid within two years of the test date. 

Applications

Informal inquiries can be made to yangsh@bnbu.edu.cn. Applications should be submitted by clicking the 'Apply' button

Please include:

• CV
• Academic transcripts
• Statement of research understanding and proposed work plan
• English proficiency certificate
• Any other relevant supporting documents

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.