Professor Jim Wild FRAS SFHEA
Professor of Space PhysicsProfile
Jim Wild is a scientist studying the space environment and the links between the Sun, the Earth and other planets.
Jim studied for a degree in Physics with Space Science and Technology before completing a doctorate in solar-terrestrial physics at the University of Leicester. He is now the Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University’s Department of Physics.
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. In 2010, he was awarded a Science in Society Fellowship by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council.
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]
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]
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
Member of the STFC Consolidated Grant Review Panel (2018 - present)
Chair of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2017 - present)
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)
PhD Supervision Interests
Evaluating the effect of space weather on UK power grids with novel measurement techniques Space weather encompasses a range of environmental phenomena, ultimately driven by solar activity. The emission of solar energy and material directed towards the Earth can drive electromagnetic disturbances on and above the planet’s surface. Under normal levels of solar activity, the impact of space weather is low. However, natural variations in solar activity can drive periods of severe space weather during which the intensity of these phenomena can increase by many orders of magnitude, presenting hazards to human technologies. Space weather thus presents an environmental risk to some of the hardware, infrastructure and services that underpin our society and economy. Rapid, high-amplitude geomagnetic variations during space weather storms induce geoelectric fields in the conducting Earth. This causes geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) to flow in the conducting structures grounded in the Earth, including electrical power grids, during severe space weather. This project will exploit magnetic field measurements at the Earth’s surface to validate state-of-the-art models of GICs flowing in the UK power grid. As a PhD student in Lancaster’s Space and Planetary Physics (SPP) group you will conduct cutting-edge research in the company of world-leading scientists. This project involves a collaboration with the NERC British Geological Survey. The project will also benefit from a collaboration with EDF Energy, who will participate as an external partner. You will develop and exploit skills in computer-based data analysis and computational modelling techniques. To facilitate this will receive a programme of training in the scientific and technical background required to conduct your research, and in the written and oral presentation skills required to disseminate your results to the international scientific community and general audiences. Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a subject such as Physics or Geophysics.
Selected Publications
Modeling the Impact of Geomagnetically Induced Currents on Electrified Railway Signaling Systems in the United Kingdom
Patterson, C.J., Wild, J.A., Boteler, D.H. 31/03/2023 In: Space Weather. 21, 3, 18 p.
Journal article
Deflection of O2+ ion flow by Magnetic Fields in the Martian Ionosphere
Li, S., Lyu, H., Cao, J., Cui, J., Zhou, C., Wild, J., Li, G., Li, Y. 23/12/2022 In: The Astrophysical Journal. 941, 2, 8 p.
Journal article
Assessing the Impact of Weak and Moderate Geomagnetic Storms on UK Power Station Transformers
Lewis, Z., Wild, J., Allcock, M., Walach, M. 30/04/2022 In: Space Weather. 20, 4, 12 p.
Journal article
Climatological Statistics of Extreme Geomagnetic Fluctuations with Periods from 1 s to 60 min
Rogers, N., Wild, J., Eastoe, E., Huebert, J. 30/11/2021 In: Space Weather. 19, 11
Journal article
Mars’ plasma system. Scientific potential of coordinated multipoint missions: “The next generation”
Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Andrews, D., Opgenoorth, H., Lillis, R., Leblanc, F., Fowler, C., Fang, X., Vaisberg, O., Mayyasi, M., Holmberg, M., Guo, J., Hamrin, M., Mazelle, C., Peter, K., Pätzold, M., Stergiopoulou, K., Goetz, C., Ermakov, V.N., Shuvalov, S., Wild, J., Blelly, P., Mendillo, M., Bertucci, C., Cartacci, M., Orosei, R., Chu, F., Kopf, A., Girazian, Z., Roman, M. 31/12/2022 In: Experimental Astronomy. 54, 2-3, p. 641-676. 36 p.
Journal article
Development of space weather reasonable worst-case scenarios for the UK National Risk Assessment
Hapgood, M., Angling, M., Attrill, G., Bisi, M., Cannon, P., Dyer, C., Eastwood, J., Elvidge, S., Gibbs, M., Harrison, R., Hord, C., Horne, R., Jackson, D., Jones, B., Machin, S., Mitchell, C., Preston, J., Rees, J., Rogers, N., Routledge, G., Ryden, K., Tanner, R., Thomson, A., Wild, J., Willis, M. 30/04/2021 In: Space Weather. 19, 4, 52 p.
Journal article
A Global Statistical Model of Extreme Geomagnetic Field Fluctuations
Rogers, N.C., Wild, J.A., Eastoe, E.F. 1/02/2019 In: Geophysical Research Abstracts. Copernicus GmbH (Copernicus Publications) on behalf of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 1 p.
Abstract
All Publications
Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (Implementation Phase)
01/09/2022 → 31/03/2024
Research
Ground Level Enhancement Event Monitor (GLEEM)
28/06/2021 → 27/06/2022
Research
IAA: Impacts of space weather on railway infrastructure
01/12/2018 → 28/02/2019
Research
Space and Planetary Research at Lancaster University
01/04/2018 → 31/03/2022
Research
Space Weather Impacts on Ground-based Systems
01/05/2017 → 30/04/2021
Research
Plasma environments in the solar system
01/04/2015 → 31/08/2018
Research
Iceland West SuperDARN Radar
01/04/2013 → 31/03/2016
Research
A High-Order Model of the Earth's External and Induced Magnetic Field
01/02/2013 → 03/08/2016
Research
A place in the sun: Taking solar system science to the public
01/04/2010 → 30/09/2012
Research
Investigating the influences of open crustal magnetic field regions on the Martian Ionosphere
01/01/2010 → 30/06/2013
Research
CASE: Electromagnetic coupling between the sun and earth
01/10/2007 → 30/09/2011
Research
Multipoint measurements of magnetospheric substorms
01/06/2007 → 31/01/2011
Research
AuroraWatch UK
01/04/2003 → …
Other
EISCAT_3D: Fine-scale structuring, scintillastion, and electrodynamics (FINESSE)
01/01/1900 → …
Research
Blue Dot Festival: "The northern lights: a rough guide"
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
The northern lights : a rough guide
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
BlueDot Festival: Disaster! Space weather on the big screen
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Project Introduction: Space Weather Impacts on the UK Railway Network
Oral presentation
Impacts of Space Weather on the UK Railways
Oral presentation
National Astronomy Meeting 2019
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
UK Government (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Current and Future Research with the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
ISSI Team: Field-Aligned Currents: Their Morphology, Evolution, Source Regions and Generators (Event)
Membership of committee
Royal Astronomical Society (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Annales Geophysicae (Journal)
Editorial activity
Institute of Physics Plasma Lecture: Weathering Solar Storm
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
The Big Bang Fair
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Forseeing Space Weather: Darwin College Lecture 2013
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
International Space Science Institute Workshop (Event)
Membership of committee
British Science
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
School Engagement
Science and Technology Facilities Council (External organisation)
Membership of committee
International Space Science Institute Workshop (Event)
Membership of committee
Cafe Scientifique: Solar flares and northern lights: the beauty and danger of the Sun
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2011
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Rutherford and radio
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Wrexham Science Festival
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Here is the Space Weather
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
The Big Bang Fair 2012
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Royal Astronomical Society Lecture
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Astrofest
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Cunard "Insights" Lecturer
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
British Astronomical Association Conference
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Expert Speaker: Northern Lights Pleasure Flights
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Royal Astronomical Society James Dungey Lectureship 2018
Prize (including medals and awards)
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
- Space and Planetary Physics