This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the NERC Great Western Four+ Doctoral Training Partnership (GW4+ DTP). The GW4+ DTP consists of the Great Western Four alliance of the University of Bath, University of Bristol, Cardiff University and the University of Exeter plus five Research Organisation partners: British Antarctic Survey, British Geological Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The partnership aims to provide a broad training in earth and environmental sciences, designed to train tomorrow’s leaders in earth and environmental science. For further details about the programme please see http://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/
Project Background:
The Earth's Outer Radiation Belt is a region of near-Earth space containing high-energy charged particles that are trapped by the geomagnetic field. Whilst we know that the radiation belt environment is ultimately driven by the solar wind, it is very challenging to model these particle populations.
The myriad socio-economic risks posed by space weather effects are reflected through its inclusion in the UK Cabinet Office National Risk Register for Civil Emergencies. Accurate modelling and prediction is essential for safeguarding the operational satellites in orbit that underpin modern society - placing a growing reliance on forecasts such as those based on the world-leading model developed at the British Antarctic Survey. This model is now being incorporated into the UK MET Office Space Weather Forecasting Suite - one of 3 space weather prediction centres worldwide. • Existing radiation belt modelling and forecasting capabilities rely upon techniques that treat electromagnetic waves determining the electron dynamics as having very small amplitudes. However, recent satellite datasets have demonstrated the prevalence of large amplitude (aka ‘nonlinear’) electromagnetic waves. Understanding the impact of nonlinear waves on space weather modelling is one of the biggest international challenges in radiation belt science today.
Project Aims and Methods:
In this PhD you will work towards making internationally significant discoveries about the importance of nonlinear waves in radiation belt and space weather modelling – to ultimately improve forecasting. Once you become comfortable with the underlying science and general direction, you will be invited to help guide the project towards a particular aspect that most interests you. This could be using one or more of theoretical, numerical or observational approaches – depending on your inclinations and the questions that we identify together.
You will have the opportunity to lead on a project that will make an important contribution to an internationally significant scientific problem with real-world application. You will work and collaborate within a strong UK-based network of world-leading experts in Space Weather and Space-science. The ultimate aim of this PhD is to support you to become an independent researcher, and a valued colleague in whatever future role you choose.
Candidate Requirements:
A background in physics, applied mathematics or closely-related mathematics/physics science. Prior knowledge of space/plasma physics or computer programming are not necessary.
Project Partners:
Dr Oliver Allanson (OA) is leading a NERC research programme (2021-‘26) to understand the importance of nonlinear physics in radiation belt modelling. Dr Nigel Meredith (NM) is a world-leading authority on the analysis of particle and electromagnetic wave data from spacecraft. We have collaborations and partnerships with scientists at numerous universities and research institutes around the world, and will be delighted to invite the candidate into these networks and discussions.
Training:
In addition to regular one-to-one meetings with supervisors, you will be encouraged to participate in wider group- and network- activities to build up your academic profile and collaborate with colleagues. You can attend seminars from national and international experts in the field, and benefit from national and international conferences and summer schools that develop both discipline-specific and transferable skills (e.g. AGU Fall meeting and International School/Symposium for Space Simulations) • The GW4+ DTP provides many further training and skills development opportunities, https://www.nercgw4plus.ac.uk/.
Eligibility
NERC GW4+ DTP studentships are open to UK and Irish nationals who, if successful in their applications, will receive a full studentship including payment of university tuition fees at the home fees rate.
A limited number of full studentships are also available to international students which are defined as EU (excluding Irish nationals), EEA, Swiss and all other non-UK nationals. For further details please see the NERC GW4+ website.
Those not meeting the nationality and residency requirements to be treated as a ‘home’ student may apply for a limited number of full studentships for international students. Although international students are usually charged a higher tuition fee rate than ‘home’ students, those international students offered a NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership full studentship starting in 2022 will only be charged the ‘home’ tuition fee rate (which will be covered by the studentship).
International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD. More information on this is available from the universities you are applying to (contact details are provided in the project description that you are interested in.
The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
How to apply
In order to formally apply for the PhD Project you will need to go to the following web page.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=4253
The closing date for applications is 1600 hours GMT on Friday 10th January 2022.
Interviews will be held between 28th February and 4th March 2022.
If you have any general enquiries about the application process please email [Email Address Removed] or phone: 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) or +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers). Project-specific queries should be directed to the main supervisor.
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