Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ

Primary Supervisor: Dr Joanne Mason

The Centre for Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics at Exeter is one of the leading research groups of its kind in the UK. Our research encompasses the Fluid Dynamics of Weather and Climate, Theoretical Fluid Dynamics, Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, Solar-Terrestrial Plasmas and Space Weather. We invite applications to study for a PhD in the area of `Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence and Dynamos’, under the supervision of Dr Joanne Mason.

Throughout the universe electrically conducting fluids interact with magnetic fields. The resulting state, known as magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, is believed to be responsible for a great variety of astrophysical processes. Probably the most widely known example is the 22-year sunspot cycle. Recent high-resolution numerical simulations have revealed that beneath the apparent disorder of MHD turbulence resides an intriguing, scale-dependent aligned structure of the velocity and magnetic field vectors. The reason for the existence of alignment and its likely implications on the evolution of astrophysical magnetic fields are topics of great interest. The student will investigate the interaction between electrically conducting fluid flows and magnetic fields by building simplified mathematical models and conducting and analysing numerical simulations. An interest in fluid dynamics is required, but no prior experience of astrophysics or computational MHD is expected.

Contact for informal enquiries: Joanne Mason (J.Mason<στο>exeter.ac.uk)

Application criteria 

• Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Maths, Physics, Natural Sciences or other numerate discipline. 

• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English (for further details of the University’s English language requirements please see http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/englishrequirements/research/) 

• This studentship will be funded by the College, providing funding for both tuition fees and stipend, and is available to an eligible student of any nationality. 

We encourage interested applicants to browse our webpages for details of our wide-ranging research activities: http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/research/cgafd/

Further details about the PhD training, eligibility and application procedure please seehttp://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=1615