Multi-spacecraft investigations of solar and heliospheric plasmas – PhD (STFC Funded) Ref: 5827

Supervisors

Dr Claire Foullon, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter

The University of Exeter’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by STFC to commence on 21 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students the studentship will cover Home or International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Heliophysics is in its golden age, with an unprecedented number of satellites providing observations of unparalleled quality, either (remotely) of the Sun or (in-situ) of the solar wind. The project will be to investigate plasma and dynamical properties using the complementarities of multi-spacecraft observations. The objective is to reveal phenomena and unravel the physics governing key regions of our Sun-Earth system in the chain of space weather events that can affect our radiation environment, our communication systems and our climate. As well as joining the Centre for Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, the PhD student will directly benefit from links with the Institute for Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI), the Astrophysics cluster and the nearby Met Office space weather activities. This brand new PhD project will equip the student with skills suited to address future science with Solar Orbiter, the ESA mission that was launched in 2020.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.

•            If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 6^th March 2026.  Interviews will be held virtually in the weeks commencing 16^th and 23^rd March.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5827 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary