About the Project
Supervisors: Professor Robert Fear and Dr Imogen Gingell
Earth’s magnetosphere is a dynamic and fascinating environment. Its behaviour depends on its interaction with the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field. You will use data from a range of state-of-the-art spacecraft missions and ground-based instruments to understand its response to the solar wind.
The Earth's magnetic field forms a cavity in the solar wind called the magnetosphere; the interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere is ultimately responsible for the dynamics of near-Earth space, including variations in the intensity of the radiation belts and the most spectacular displays of the aurora (the northern and southern lights).
The nature of these interactions depends on the orientation of the magnetic field associated with the solar wind (the interplanetary magnetic field, or IMF), which is highly variable. A “southward” IMF orientation (opposite to the Earth’s magnetic field) is preferential for many magnetospheric processes, but the dynamics of the magnetosphere under northward IMF conditions are also fascinating – though, in comparison, poorly understood.
This is an exciting time for studying Earth’s magnetosphere, as the recently-launched European/Chinese mission SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionospheric Link Explorer) is providing high time-resolution global-scale images of the aurora, which are an invaluable tool for understanding the dynamics of our magnetosphere.
This project will use a combination of space-based observations (e.g. from the SMILE, THEMIS, ARTEMIS and MMS missions) and ground-based observations (from ionospheric radars such as the SuperDARN consortium and the European Incoherent Scatter radar, EISCAT) to investigate the large-scale structure of the magnetosphere.
Possible topics include:
- the spatial extent of the magnetospheric “cusps”, and how that may depend on solar wind conditions
- magnetospheric structure associated with northward IMF conditions
- the nature of time-varying magnetic reconnection, which couples the solar wind to the magnetosphere
The student will be embedded in the Space Environment Physics group in the School of Physics & Astronomy, which sits within the Astronomy group.
Specific training will include:
- attendance at a national introductory summer school to develop subject skills in solar-terrestrial physics
- postgraduate lecture series and research seminar series provided in Physics & Astronomy
- presentation and communication skills will be honed through participation in weekly group meetings, a group journal club, and presentation of findings at national and international workshops and conferences.
Entry requirements
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent.
Fees and funding
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.
How to apply
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Physics (7089)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
Contact us
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
For questions about applying, [contact details available in the full listing].
Project leader
For an initial conversation, [contact details available in the full listing]
The School of Physics and Astronomy is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
