Category: Studentships

Studentships advert

PhD Studentship at UCLan on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle Risk for Space Weather

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship in the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI), within the School of Engineering and Computing at the University of Central Lancashire, on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) risk for Space Weather. The successful candidate will work on a physics-based SEP forecasting tool, and analyse SEP events to investigate the significance of different physical processes on the accuracy of the SEP forecasts. The work is performed in collaboration with JHI and Met Office personnel.

The studentship is funded through the UCLan Doctoral Training Centre for Industry Collaboration and is tenable for up to 3.5 years full-time [subject to satisfactory progress]. Both Home and EU/International Applicants may apply but EU/International Applicants will be required to pay the difference in tuition fees between the UK and EU/International fee rates. The studentship will provide successful applicants with an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (Currently £18,622 per year), subject to satisfactory progress.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence in September 2024.

Applications are due on 11th March 2024. To apply, see instructions at
https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships

Please quote the studentship Reference Number DTC12-22-34

For further information, see
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/forecasting-solar-energetic-particle-risk-for-space-weather/?p169004

Informal project-related enquiries about the post can be made to Timo Laitinen (tlmlaitinen@uclan.ac.uk).… continue to the full article

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Two Funded PhD Opportunities – Solar and Magnetospheric Theory at the University of St Andrews

The Solar and Magnetospheric Theory Group (SMTG) in the School and Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, is looking for applicants for two funded PhD projects for a start in September/October 2024.

One project will be supervised by Dr Alexander Russell (ar51@st-andrews.ac.uk), funded by the School and Mathematics and Statistics, on the subject of either Turbulent magnetic reconnection or Waves and instabilities in weakly-collisional plasmas.

The other project will be supervised by Dr Tom Elsden (te55@st-andrews.ac.uk), funded by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), in the area of Modelling ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves in Earth’s magnetosphere.

Information about the PhD programme and application process, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/mathematics-statistics/prospective/pgr/ . The selection process will start on 1 March 2024 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified.

Please find further details on the University of St Andrews and the specific research projects below:

Supervised by Dr Alexander Russell:

  • A: Turbulent magnetic reconnection: Magnetic reconnection is responsible for many of the Sun’s most spectacular events including solar flares that affect technology at Earth. Understanding how magnetic reconnection works in the Sun, and especially the role of turbulence, is an important scientific goal that is currently making new progress thanks to insights from the latest-generation computer simulations. Your research in this area could include exploring how the reconnection process depends on global properties of the system or using mathematical tools to investigate the topology of magnetic fields inside the reconnection layer.
  • B: Waves and instabilities in weakly-collisional plasmas: The Sun’s corona (its outer atmosphere) has a temperature above one million Celsius, which is more than 100 times hotter than its visible surface. Maintaining this extremely high temperature requires heating, at least some of which is believed to be caused by waves and turbulence. Most mathematical knowledge about coronal heating by waves is based on a mathematical description called MHD, which unfortunately becomes invalid where key processes occur. The goal for this project is to investigate how coronal heating by waves extends to more suitable models that allow for pressure anisotropy.

Supervised by Dr Tom Elsden:

  • Modelling ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves in Earth’s magnetosphere: ULF waves are large scale and low frequency oscillations of Earth’s magnetic field which transport energy and momentum throughout the magnetosphere. They also play an important role in the acceleration of particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field to high energies, which create a dangerous environment for satellites and astronauts. This project will involve magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computational modelling of these waves, as well as considering how they may contribute to particle acceleration. The emphasis of the project is computational/numerical and we expect the successful candidate to have coding experience or aptitude for numerical work.

The minimum academic entry requirement is a UK upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics, Physics or a closely related subject. Apart from excellent academic qualifications, we expect applicants to have the motivation and enthusiasm to enable them to successfully work on an extended research project in solar and magnetospheric theory.

The SMTG currently has 8 academic staff, 5 PDRAs and 10 PhD students. It is one of three research groups in the Applied Mathematics Division of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews. Both the SMTG and the Applied Mathematics Division run research seminar programmes during semester to help students develop a broad knowledge of their subject.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of St Andrews values diversity and nurtures an inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect regardless of individual characteristics such as age, gender, disability, religion or ethnicity. It is firmly committed to the progression of women, and other historically under-represented groups, in mathematics and holds a Bronze Award of the Athena SWAN programme for women in science. A growing proportion of our Ph.D. students are women, currently approximately 40%. The school supports the principles of the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme.… continue to the full article

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STFC Small Awards Guidance to Applicants 2024

Dear Colleagues

Please be advised the STFC Astronomy Small Awards 2024 opportunities are now live on the UKRI funding finder website:

Solar and planetary 2024 – https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/solar-and-planetary-small-awards-2024/

Astronomy observation and theory 2024 – https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/astronomy-observation-and-theory-small-awards-2024/

We are running this opportunity through the new UKRI Funding Service, you will not be able to apply via Je-S. Applicants are advised that there is no functionality to return for amendment on the new service and therefore applications that do not follow the guidance will be rejected on receipt.

Please be advised we are still in the process of publishing the PDF guidance documents on the web. You will soon be able to access the updated guidelines here (by 20th December): Astronomy Grants Panel guidance for applicants – UKRI

Kind regards
The Astronomy Awards Team… continue to the full article

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The Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics at University of Warwick welcomes PhD applications for an October 2024 start.

Informal enquires to the PhD supervisors are welcome.

The following projects are on offer:

Seismic studies of solar and stellar magnetic activity
Supervisor: Anne-Marie Broomhall (a-m.broomhall@warwick.ac.uk)
Start Date: October 2024 (Fully funded for 42 months: STFC)

Modelling energy transport in the Solar corona
Supervisor: Tony Arber
Start Date: October 2024 (Fully funded for 42 months: STFC)

Project Title: Quantifying space weather turbulence and extremes and risk at Earth
Supervisor: Sandra Chapman (s.c.chapman@warwick.ac.uk)
Start Date: October 2024 (Fully funded for 42 months)

Modelling extreme magnetosphere-atmosphere interactions
Supervisor: Ravindra Desai (ravindra.desai@warwick.ac.uk)
Start Date: October 2024 (Fully funded for 48 months: HetSys CDT)
International scholarship deadline: 25 January 2024

Funding is available for both national and international candidates. The full project descriptions and application instructions can be found at:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/cfsa/opportunities/study/

Research at the Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics (CFSA) focuses on plasma physics applied to the grand challenges of fusion power, space physics, solar physics, and astrophysics. Our work spans fundamental theory, observation, and the analysis of experimental data, combined with high performance computing. For more details of the CFSA see http://www.warwick.ac.uk/go/cfsa/continue to the full article

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ESO Studentship Programme

The European Southern Observatory awards several studentship positions each year in both Germany and Chile. The goal of the ESO studentship program is to connect Ph.D. students and their advisors throughout the ESO community with the activities and people at one of the world’s foremost observatories, and offers an invaluable training opportunity for the next generation of Astronomers and users of ESO facilities.

There are two annual application deadlines: 30th April and 30th October.

Further details of the programme and a link to the application portal can be found at: https://www.eso.org/sci/activities/fellowships-and-studentships/FeSt-overview/ESOstudentship.html

If you are interested please contact the ESO supervisor well in advance of the application deadline to coordinate your research project jointly with your home institute supervisor.… continue to the full article

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Funded PhD positions at Aberystwyth

The Physics Department of Aberystwyth University seeks high-quality candidates for 3-yr funded PhD projects in the field of Solar System Physics. The group has particular strengths in modelling and observational analysis of the solar atmosphere and solar wind, and building optical instruments/components for space missions . Our recent work concentrates on the development of novel data analysis techniques for solar atmospheric images, space weather studies and forecasting, advanced numerical modelling of coronal structures, impacts of space weather on planetary atmospheres, and visible/IR instrumentation for planetary surface exploration.

Applications are due by end January 2024 for a September 2024 start. Outstanding applications may also be entered for the Aberystwyth University Aberdoc scholarship competition. Applicants should follow the instructions at https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/study-with-us/pg-studies/apply/

For informal enquiries, please contact Prof Huw Morgan, by email: hmorgan@aber.ac.uk.… continue to the full article

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Fully-funded PhD opportunities to join the Solar and Space Physics research group at Northumbria University for a September 2024 start.

We have multiple fully-funded PhD studentships available for entry in September 2024. These PhD studentships include full UK fees, a living allowance (this was £18,622 per year for 2023/24 full time study) and additional funding to cover research costs and international travel such as conferences.

We offer:
• 3.5-year, fully-funded PhD studentships,
• 4-year, fully-funded STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science PhD studentships.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st January 2024. Full details can be found here = www.northumbria.ac.uk/STFCphd

We are a successful Research Group pursuing high-international-priority research across the broad remit of Solar and Space Physics. The group demonstrates international leadership across theory, numerical modelling, observations of solar and space plasma, data intensive science, and space-related hardware.

You will join a strong and supportive research team. The very best way to get a taste of this is to come and visit the Research Group in person (see www.northumbria.ac.uk/STFCphd for details).

We value individual differences and diversity and the improved science and scholarship that brings. We therefore encourage applications from under-represented groups and requests for flexible study are welcomed. We offer all applicants full guidance on the application process. For informal enquiries, please email Professor James McLaughlin (james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk).… continue to the full article

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PhD Studentship on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle Risk for Space Weather

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship in the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI), within the School of Engineering and Computing at the University of Central Lancashire, on Forecasting Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) risk for Space Weather. The successful candidate will work on a physics-based SEP forecasting tool, and analyse SEP events to investigate the significance of different physical processes on the accuracy of the SEP forecasts. The work is performed in collaboration with  JHI and Met Office personnel.

The studentship is funded through the UCLan Doctoral Training Centre for Industry Collaboration and is tenable for up to 3.5 years full time [subject to satisfactory progress]. Both Home and EU/International Applicants may apply but EU/International Applicants will be required to pay the difference in tuition fees between the UK and EU/International fee rates. The studentship will provide successful applicants with an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (Currently £18,622 per year), subject to satisfactory progress.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence January or March 2024.

Applications are due 17th November 2023. To apply, see instructions at

https://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships

Please quote the studentship Reference Number DTC12-22-34

For further information, see
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/forecasting-solar-energetic-particle-risk-for-space-weather/?p161633

Informal project-related enquiries about the post can be made to Timo Laitinen (tlmlaitinen@uclan.ac.uk).… continue to the full article

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Postgraduate Scholarship in Solar Physics

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and Dublin City University (DCU) invite applications for a four-year PhD Scholarship in Solar Physics. The successful candidate will be registered and primarily based at the Solar Physics Group at DCU. They will collaborate closely with the Solar Physics and Space Weather Group at DIAS, which is part of a vibrant community of more than 30 researchers working on a range of topics including solar physics, planetary science, star formation, and high-energy astrophysics.

The successful applicant will be mentored in using observations from the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission to study the origin of energetic particles in the solar corona and quantify how they evolve into the heliosphere. The Scholar will be supported by a vibrant research group, collaborating with other researchers locally and internationally. They will interact closely with the relevant instrument teams to exploit existing data and propose campaigns to obtain new observations.

Applicants are expected to have a honours degree (Bachelors or Masters) in Physics, Astrophysics or a closely related field. Data analysis and programming experience is essential (e.g., Python or similar), as is evidence of capacity for original research.

The scholarship is fully-funded, covering university tuition fees and a stipend (€22,000 per year) tax free paid to the successful applicant, plus limited funds for computer equipment and travel to conferences and workshops.

Interested candidates should submit an application through the DIAS online e-recruitment at https://dias.ie/aascholar by 17:00 Irish time on 13 November 2023.

Applicants should upload the following as one single pdf file:
Cover letter (2 pages maximum)
Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum)
Transcript of university grades
Names of two referees

Detailed enquiries regarding the research project can be made to Dr David Long (d.long@qub.ac.uk) and Prof. Peter Gallagher (peter.gallagher@dias.ie), while submission enquiries can be directed to astrophysics@dias.ie.

At DIAS we are committed to building an inclusive scientific community, distinguished by scientific excellence, gender balance, and diversity. The DIAS Gender Equality and Inclusion Action Plan may be found here and we welcome applications from suitably qualified talented candidates of all genders and backgrounds.… continue to the full article

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PhD Positions 2024 in Göttingen

The Max Plank Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen, Germany invites applications for PhD positions in Solar System Science for a start in 2024, to work on projects in solar physics with Sami Solanki or Laurent Gizon: https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/open-projects

More details can be found under:
https://www.mps.mpg.de/phd/applynow

Review of applications will begin on 1 October 2023, and two letters of recommendation are due no later than 10 October 2023.… continue to the full article

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