University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, focused research training and a substantial original dissertation. Core study areas include dynamic meteorology and tropical dynamics, atmospheric thermodynamics, physical meteorology, atmospheric chemistry and aerosols, boundary-layer processes, mesoscale meteorology, remote sensing, and climate variability and change. Training emphasises both observational and numerical approaches: students learn numerical weather prediction and climate modelling, data assimilation, programming for atmospheric research, and statistical methods for analysing atmospheric datasets.

Typical structure involves an initial period of advanced coursework and seminars, qualification exams or milestones to demonstrate readiness for research, followed by development and execution of an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Research often makes use of regional and global climate models, high-resolution mesoscale models, satellite remote sensing products, in situ observations from island and ship campaigns, and laboratory or field studies depending on the research topic. Students normally participate in departmental seminars, present work at conferences, and may gain teaching experience as graduate teaching or research assistants.

Examples of common modules and training

• Advanced Dynamic Meteorology and Tropical Dynamics
• Physical and Chemical Processes in the Atmosphere
• Numerical Weather Prediction and Climate Modelling
• Boundary Layer Meteorology and Air–Sea Interaction
• Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Data Assimilation
• Statistical Methods and Time Series Analysis for Climate
• Field Techniques and Instrumentation for Atmospheric Observations

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong bachelor’s degree with honours and typically a master's degree in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, oceanography, physics, applied mathematics, engineering or a closely related field. A solid foundation in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, classical mechanics, thermodynamics, and basic fluid dynamics is required, together with competency in programming (for example Python, Fortran, MATLAB) and statistics.

Application materials generally include official transcripts, a statement of research interests or purpose describing proposed doctoral research, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of academic or professional reference. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency according to university requirements. The department looks for evidence of quantitative ability, prior research experience, and alignment between an applicant’s interests and available faculty expertise.

Funding decisions are made by the department and often tied to available graduate assistantships, fellowships or sponsored projects; prospective students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors in advance to discuss research fit and funding possibilities.

Career prospects

Graduates from the PhD programme pursue careers across academia, government, industry and the non-profit sector. Common career paths include university or research institute faculty and postdoctoral positions, research scientist roles at national agencies (for example meteorological services and climate research centres), and positions in international organisations addressing climate and environmental policy.

Outside academia and government, alumni work in weather and climate services, environmental and air-quality consulting, renewable energy forecasting, private-sector climate risk assessment and modelling, satellite and remote-sensing companies, and data science roles that require advanced quantitative and computational skills. The programme’s strong emphasis on observational techniques, modelling and tropical-pacific climate science is particularly valuable for careers focused on tropical meteorology, island and coastal climate resilience, and large-scale climate variability.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers unique advantages for atmospheric science research because of its central Pacific location, which provides direct access to tropical and mesoscale phenomena that are difficult to study elsewhere. The department is integrated with SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology), fostering interdisciplinary work across oceanography, geophysics and atmospheric chemistry.

Students benefit from close collaborations with regional and national research centres and agencies, opportunities to participate in island- and ship-based field campaigns, and access to long-term observational networks relevant to Pacific climate and air quality. The department’s faculty expertise spans tropical convection, climate dynamics, boundary-layer processes, atmospheric composition and remote sensing, giving students a broad array of supervision options. In addition, students have access to departmental instrumentation, observational facilities, and institutional computing resources to support advanced modelling and data analysis.