Probing Alfvenic waves in coronal holes with the Coronal Multichannel Polarimeter (Advert Ref: NOR/MIS/MORTON)

Alfvénic waves are thought to be one of the main mechanisms responsible for accelerating the solar wind to speeds of around a million miles per hour. The PhD project aims to investigate the properties of these waves in coronal holes through analysis of data from the Coronal Multichannel Polarimeter, a telescope based in Hawaii. It is expected that the student has either a degree in Mathematics and/or Physics. Experience with coding in a scientific language (e.g., C, C+, IDL, Python) will be looked upon favourably. The PhD project will be a three-year joint venture between Northumbria University, (Newcastle, UK) and the High Altitude Observatory at the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, Colorado, USA). The candidate will be able to decide where they spend the majority of their time, but part of the project will have to be spent at the other institute. The funding for this project will be sought from the Newkirk Fellowship once a candidate has been identified. Please note this means that success in the first stage of selection does not guarantee successful funding of the project and PhD.

Eligibility and How to Apply:

Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 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.

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 ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Start Date: 3 October 2016

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.