Overview of the CDT
This project is being offered as part of the STFC Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science, called NUdata, which is a collaboration between Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, STFC, and a portfolio of over 40 industrial partners, including SMEs, large/multinational companies, Government and not-for profit organisations, and international humanitarian organisations. Please visit https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/nudata/ for full information.
About the Project
Near-Earth space is a highly dynamic plasma environment where processes are constrained by Earth’s magnetic field. Large amounts of observations are available from both spacecraft and ground stations, yet space physics data has some inherent difficulties such as extremely sparse coverage (spatially and temporally), highly interdependent processes and biased observations.
Within Earth’s magnetosphere many phenomena exist such as current systems (Dungey cycle), density patterns and wave phenomena. These structures are often distinctly defined but are usually investigated using average activity maps, rather than identifying a boundary and tracking the topological and geometric properties (i.e. any transformations or translations).
You would investigate different methods to find these structures, such as: dimension reduction methods (e.g. UMAP), clustering techniques and classifications (e.g. convolutional neural networks for images, or graph neural networks if they more naturally represent datasets). During your first year data science training, you will undertake a pilot study comparing the auroral structures found in ground magnetometers and auroral images to investigate whether they are representing the same processes. You will initially do this with a cross-correlation analysis, during which time you will have developed the skills order to select a more sophisticated technique, relating dataset properties to the assumptions behind different data science methods. Depending on your interests, you may end up pursuing the mathematics behind the evolution of these structures or applying these methods to other space physics structures, including substorm signatures (remote observations of explosive magnetic field reconfiguration events), field line resonances (magnetosphere-scale standing waves) and numerous current systems.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
This studentship is available to home * and international applicants.
Please note eligibility requirement:
- Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. first or 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
- Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
- Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note:
You must include the relevant advert reference/studentship code (e.g. NUDATA/EE/MPEE/BENTLEY) in your application.
The NUdata CDT is offering multiple potential PhD projects this year. If you are interested in more than one of the offered projects, then you can say this in the cover letter of your application and then either [1] you can specifically indicate the other projects you are interested in, or [2] state you are happy to be considered for other projects in general. If you are shortlisted, we will then contact you to discuss these other projects. You are strongly encouraged to do this.
You do not need to submit a research proposal for the proposed project, since the project is already defined by the supervisor. If you have your own research idea and wish to pursue that, then this is also possible - please indicate this on your application (if this is the case, then please include a research proposal of approximately 300 words).
Northumbria and Newcastle Universities take pride in, and value, the quality and diversity of our students and staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. We offer all applicants full guidance on the application process and on details of the CDT. For informal enquiries, email Professor James McLaughlin (Northumbria: [Email Address Removed] ) or Professor Tamara Rogers (Newcastle: [Email Address Removed] ). Please contact the Principal Supervisor of the project(s) for project-specific enquiries.
Deadline for applications: Friday 29th April 2022
Start Date: 1st October 2022
Funding Notes
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International students, and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2021/22 full time study, this is £ £16,062pa) and full tuition fees. Also, additional funding is included to cover research costs and local, national and international travel such as conferences.
We have a limited number of International awards available.
* please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
- have settled status, or
- have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
- have indefinite leave to remain or enter.
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
Further information about how UKRI classifies international fee status please see Annex B of https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/UKRI-050422-TrainingGrantTermsConditionsGuidance-Apr2022.pdf
Applicants should be aware of the following additional costs that you may incur as these are not covered by the studentship.
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