Research Interests

His research investigates the physics behind the aurora borealis (sometimes known as the northern lights), the impact of space weather on human technology and the interaction between the Martian atmosphere and the interplanetary environment. As well as exploiting an international flotilla of satellites, Jim’s research has regularly taken him to the high arctic to carry out experiments.

As a passionate science communicator, Jim has established himself as a popular speaker for public audiences and he also contributes to print and broadcast media.

Jim is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the European Geosciences Union and American Geophysical Union.

PhD Supervisions Completed

Dr. Patrick Daum: "Global MHD Simulations of Magnetospheric Phenomena" [Lancaster University, 2008]

Dr. Peter Tullet: "ULF Oscillations in the Terrestrial Magnetosphere" [Lancaster University, 2009]

Dr. Katie Turnbull: "A Study of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in the UK National Grid" [Lancaster University, 2011]

Dr. Nathan Case: "Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions: A Statistical Analysis of Spacecraft Measurements" [Lancaster University, 2014]

Dr. Robert Kidd: "The Origins of Space Weather: Solar Activity and Geomagnetic Response" [Lancaster University, 2014]

Dr. Jonathan Doyle: "Magnetospheric Plasma Dynamics: Investigating Ion and Electron Flow in the Magnetotail" [Lancaster University, 2019]

Dr. Daniel Billett: "The Great Space Weather Washing Machine: Examining the Dynamics of High-Latitude Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling" [Lancaster University, 2019]

Dr. Sofija Durward: "Insights into the solar wind conditions near Mars from data science techniques" [Lancaster University, 2023]

Dr. Cameron Patterson: "Modelling the impacts of space weather on UK railway signalling systems" [Lancaster University, 2024]

PhDs Examined

Robert Fear [University College London, 2006]

Amin Aminaei [Lancaster University, 2007]

Nicola Longdon [Lancaster University, 2007]

Peter Boakes [University of Leicester, 2010]

Daniel Whiter [University of Southampton, 2011]

Paul Wild [Lancaster University, 2012]

Adam Kellerman [La Trobe University, 2012]

Segheen Beyene [University College London, 2012]

Carl Bryers [Lancaster University, 2014]

Martin Archer [Imperial College London, 2014]

Matt James [University of Leicester, 2014]

Olugbenga Ogunmodimu [Lancaster University, 2016]

Benjamin Hall [University of Leicester, 2017]

Hasanain Abbas Hasan Al-Behadili [University of Leicester, 2018]

Rececca Gray [Lancaster University, 2018]

Katie Raymer [University of Leicester, 2018]

Stephen Browett [University of Southampton, 2018]

Aisling Bergin [University of Warwick, 2022]

Georgios Xystouris [Lancaster University, 2024]

Diego Moral Pombo [Lancaster University, 2024]

Christian Lao [University College London, 2025]

External Roles

For the Royal Astronomical Society: The RAS was established in 1820 to promote the study of astronomy and geophysics (which has grown to include solar and solar-terrestrial physics, planetary sciences, astroparticle physics & astrobiology) and comprises nearly 3,400 Fellows and Honorary Fellows. I have contributed to the running of this prestigious learned society as follows:

• Vice-president, Geophysics (2014 - 2016)
• Diversity Champion (2014-2016)
• Member of the RAS Education Committee (2009 – 2013)
• Member of the RAS Awards Committee, Geophysics Division (2009 – 2011)
• Member of the RAS Membership Committee, invited member (2005 – 2011)
• Member of the RAS Presidential Election Committee (2009)
• Elected member of RAS Council and trustee of the society (2007 – 2010)

For the Science & Technology Facilities Council

• Chair of the STFC Astronomy Large Awards Sifting Panel (2023)
• Chair of the STFC Consolidated Grant Implementation Panel (2020 - 2022)
• Member of the STFC Consolidated Grant Review Panel (2018 - 2020)
• Chair of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2017 - 2019)
• Deputy Chair of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2016)
• Member of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2012 – 2015)
• Member of the STFC Cluster Oversight Committee (2007 – 10)

For the Natural Environment Research Council

• Member of the NERC British Antarctic Survey National Capability Strategic Science Advisory group (2024 onward)
• Member of the "Pushing the Frontiers" grant peer-review panel (2023)

Selected roles with other organisations

• External Examiner for Physics (UG) programmes at the University of Manchester (2022-25)
• ESA Academy invited lecturer, European Space Agency Space Weather Training Course (2023)
• Member of the Space Environment Impact Experts Group (2017 to present) and Core Team member (2022 to present)

Professional Role

Selected leadership roles at Lancaster University

• Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Science at Lancaster University, with responsibility for education and undergraduate recruitment across eight academic departments (2019-22)
• Nominated member of Lancaster University Senate (2019-22), which is responsible for the academic work of the University, both in teaching and in research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education and discipline of its students
• Member of the Lancaster University Board of Discipline which deals with non-academic disciplinary cases (2020 to present)
• Deputy Head of Department and Director of Undergraduate Teaching in the Physics Department at Lancaster University, with responsibility for teaching delivery and quality assurance (2015-18)

PhD Supervision Interests

For current PhD opportunities, please visit the Space and Planetary Physics group webpages.