PhD in Ionospheric Modeling for Resilient GNSS at the University of Birmingham University of Birmingham in United Kingdom

PhD Opportunity: Ionospheric Modeling for Resilient GNSS at the University of Birmingham

Prof. Sean Elvidge’s research group at the University of Birmingham is inviting applications for a PhD studentship focused on space weather physics, ionospheric modeling, and resilient Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The project sits at the intersection of physics, geophysics, engineering infrastructure, and data-driven modeling.

GNSS technologies such as GPS and Galileo are essential for modern positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), but their signals must pass through the ionosphere. During severe geomagnetic storms, the ionosphere can become highly disturbed, causing changes in Total Electron Content (TEC), scintillation, and Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) that degrade signal quality and reliability.

The successful PhD student will work on advanced methods to predict, nowcast, and mitigate these disruptions. Possible research directions include designing regional or global ionospheric corrections, developing uncertainty quantification methods for safety-critical users, and building data-driven frameworks using satellite datasets, data assimilation, statistical learning, and signal processing.

This opportunity is well suited to a quantitative applicant with a background in Physics, Geophysics, Mathematics, Data Science, or Engineering. Prior GNSS experience is helpful but not required. The group will provide training in scientific computing, ionospheric physics, and big data analytics.

To apply, candidates should first send an informal inquiry to the Principal Investigator, Prof. Sean Elvidge, at [email protected] before proceeding to the formal university application process.

No deadline was stated in the post.