The prestigious awards allow UK universities to attract and retain scientists of outstanding achievement and potential from across the world.

Professor Milewski was recently appointed to the Department of Mathematical Sciences as a Professor of Mathematics, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA.

Professor Milewski's research looks at the analytical, numerical and theoretical studies of wave propagation, fluid dynamics and geophysical flows .

The award will provide up to five years’ funding from the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), after which Professor Milewski will continue in a permanent post at the University of Bath.

Born in Brazil of French and Polish parents, he spent considerable time in the Amazon where his father worked, before moving to the United States to pursue his academic interests as an undergraduate student.

With family in Europe and the UK he is excited about his move to Bath with his wife and three children. Professor Milewski said: “The University of Bath has one of the UK’s leading mathematics departments, so it’s great to have the opportunity to work in that environment alongside some fantastic academics in the field.

“My work will involve some teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students, a continuation of my research in the mathematics and computation of geophysically relevant problems, and new collaborations with a few of the existing research groups in the University. Opportunities to work with Chris Budd's applied mathematics group and Ivan Graham's numerical analysis group will be extremely beneficial to the progression of my research interests.

“I am thrilled to have received a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. It is an honour that my research has been recognised in this way by such a prestigious organisation.”

Professor Milewski has brought two PhD students with him to continue their research at the University, and will be teaching a post graduate course in numerical analysis - the use of computers to solve equations that arise in physics.

Professor Jane Millar, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, said: “The appointment of Professor Milewski is part of an overall strategy from the University of Bath to recruit top research academics across our departments.

“Professor Milewski’s extensive experience and extremely strong research portfolio will be a welcome addition to the varied research carried out by the Department of Mathematical Sciences and we are pleased to welcome him to Bath.”

Professor Milewski joined the University of Bath at the end of August 2011. The Wolfson Foundation is a grant-making charity established in 1955, with funding given to support excellence.