Funding

Self-funded

Project code

MAP10750529

Department

School of Computing, Mathematics and Physics

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project. 

The PhD will be based in the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation and will be supervised by Dr Olugbenga Olumodimu, Dr Becky Canning and Prof. Hom Dhakal.

 

Modern society depends heavily on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), including power transmission networks, railways, telecommunications, satellite systems, aviation, navigation services, financial networks, and emergency response systems. These infrastructures are increasingly interconnected and reliant on advanced technologies that are vulnerable to space weather events.  Space weather, driven primarily by solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and high-speed solar wind streams, can generate geomagnetic disturbances capable of disrupting technological systems through geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), radio communication degradation, satellite anomalies, positioning errors, and power system failures.  Recent extreme events have demonstrated the potential for significant economic and societal disruption. However, current approaches to infrastructure protection often focus on individual sectors rather than considering the interconnected nature of national infrastructure systems. There remains a need for integrated predictive frameworks capable of assessing vulnerabilities, forecasting impacts, and supporting operational decision-making.  

 

The work on this project will: 

  • Investigate the vulnerability of key national infrastructure sectors to space weather hazards.
  • Develop machine learning models for forecasting infrastructure impacts from geomagnetic disturbances.
  • Quantify cascading risks across interconnected infrastructure networks.
  • Create resilience and risk assessment models for infrastructure operators.
  • Develop decision-support tools to support preparedness and mitigation strategies.
  • Evaluate future infrastructure risks under increasing technological dependency and changing space weather conditions.

 

Modern society depends heavily on Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), including power transmission networks, railways, telecommunications, satellite systems, aviation, navigation services, financial networks, and emergency response systems. These infrastructures are increasingly interconnected and reliant on advanced technologies that are vulnerable to space weather events.

Space weather, driven primarily by solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and high-speed solar wind streams, can generate geomagnetic disturbances capable of disrupting technological systems through geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), radio communication degradation, satellite anomalies, positioning errors, and power system failures.

Recent extreme events have demonstrated the potential for significant economic and societal disruption. However, current approaches to infrastructure protection often focus on individual sectors rather than considering the interconnected nature of national infrastructure systems. There remains a need for integrated predictive frameworks capable of assessing vulnerabilities, forecasting impacts, and supporting operational decision-making.

Space weather modelling is essential for predicting disturbances originating from the Sun that can adversely affect technological systems on Earth and in space. It provides early warning of hazardous events that may impact power grids, satellite operations, aviation, telecommunications, navigation systems, and other critical infrastructure. Accurate modelling enables infrastructure operators and policymakers to implement timely mitigation measures, enhance resilience, and reduce the societal and economic consequences of severe space weather events. Ultimately, it plays a vital role in safeguarding critical national infrastructure, economic stability, and public safety in an increasingly technology-dependent world.

 

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only).

 

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess a First-Class or Upper Second-Class (2:1) honours degree in a relevant STEM discipline, such as Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Space Science, or a closely related subject. Candidates with significant and relevant industrial experience will also be considered as part of the eligibility assessment. 

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

International students will require a study visa from UKVI to pursue the degree in the UK. If the research is in a sensitive or technological subject, the student may also need to secure an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate from the UK Foreign Office.

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Olugbenga Olumodimu ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Physics PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake.. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

When applying please quote project code MAP10750529.