How do ultra-low frequency plasma waves drive Earth’s magnetosphere? (Ref: STFC26/SE/EPM/BENTLEY)

About the Project

The near-Earth space environment is filled with plasma – a dynamic, collisionless medium that affects everyday life on Earth through space weather. Without collisions, wave phenomena dominate physical processes. Ultra-Low Frequency (ULF) waves represent the large-scale oscillations that play a crucial role in energy transport throughout the magnetosphere, from the entry of solar wind energy at the magnetopause, through massive standing wave structures (such as field line resonances, FLRs), to the energisation of Earth's radiation belts and the ionosphere. In addition to their role in energy transport, these waves act as remote diagnostics of magnetospheric processes. Understanding them is fundamental to predicting the impact of space weather on satellites.

Recent investigations have challenged our previous approaches of ULF modelling, raising important questions about the validity of our methods to separate different ULF wave modes, about the difference between space and ground-based observations, and whether current theoretical frameworks adequately describe high-amplitude wave dynamics. This project will target one (or more) potential key research avenues to discover the wave physics we require for our whole-magnetosphere picture:

• Large-amplitude wave events: Investigate extreme wave phenomena and their implications for radial diffusion processes in the radiation belts, and how these events challenge our fundamental theoretical frameworks.
• Wave mode occurrence statistics: Examine the frequency and spatial distribution of different wave modes to determine how often "typical" wave behaviour actually occurs versus more complex, mixed-mode phenomena.
• Energy transport processes: Examine the system response to intense solar wind driving and/or quantify the role of ULF waves in energising radiation belt particles, depositing energy into the ionosphere etc.

Training:

The skills used to address this question will be a balance of data analysis (space- or ground-based), theoretical modelling, and numerical simulation, depending on the research avenues we decide to pursue and the student’s interests. We welcome applicants with a background in physics, applied mathematics, computer science or other related disciplines. Prior experience in scientific computing or plasma physics is a benefit, but we will support you to gain all the skills you need to do your project. As part of a PhD you will develop knowledge of your research area and independent research skills, with tailored supervisory guidance.

You will have access to state-of-the-art methods and the opportunity to work collaboratively with a large and friendly team, including working with experts and scientists from around the globe. You will have the opportunity to travel, presenting your work at conferences both in the UK and internationally. We will support you to apply for additional, competitive summer schools and supplementary travel funds.

Supervisory environment:

The Solar and Space Physics group at Northumbria is now one of the largest groups in the UK, with expertise in physics across near-Earth space and a cohesive PhD cohort. Dr Bentley is an expert in ULF driving of Earth’s radiation belts and adapting a variety of techniques to understand physical processes in Earth’s magnetosphere. Students will also have a second supervisor from the group, with expertise to match the chosen research avenue.

Dr Bentley encourages informal enquiries about the project and the application process. To see more about their supervision style, visit this post on their research site. If there are reasonable adjustments that would make the application process more accessible, please message Dr Bentley.

Example student profile:

Essential:

• A strong numerate background, e.g. a degree in maths, computer science or physics.
• Ability to work alone and in a team.
• Strong motivation to undertake and complete a PhD.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of electromagnetism, especially of plasma environments.
• Programming knowledge, e.g. in Python or MATLAB.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with 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 if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
• Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

• 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 and be ineligible.

Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.

For further details on how to apply see https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

In your application, please make sure to include the advert reference (e.g. STFC26/...).

Deadline for applications: 1st June 2026

Start date of course: 1st October 2026

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr Sarah Bentley. For informal academic queries, contact sarah.n.bentley@northumbria.ac.uk. For enquiries relating to eligibility or application process, please use the email form below to contact Admissions.

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, meet your fellow PhD students, and meet the PhD supervisors. We have funding to support all UK National applicants who wish to visit the research group (with funding to fully cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs). Please contact Head of Group Professor James McLaughlin at james.a.mclaughlin@northumbria.ac.uk if you are interested in visiting the Group, and we can arrange travel arrangement (and cover these costs). Also feel free to contact individual PhD supervisor if this is better for you.

Funding Notes

This studentship is available to Home students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 FT study this is £20,780 per year) and full tuition fees. Studentships are also available for Home applicants who wish to study part-time over 5 years (0.6 FTE, stipend £12,542 per year and full tuition fees) in combination with work or personal responsibilities).