Sofia Bergman

I am a postdoc in the division of Space and Plasma Physics, specialized in the interaction of the solar wind with planetary and cometary magnetospheres. In my research I analyse data from satellites around various objects of the solar system and also make simulations of the interactions of a spacecraft with the surrounding environment.

Currently, I am studying plasma processes in the vicinity of Earth’s bow shock to deepen our understanding of shock formation across the universe. In my earlier research I have also studied the interaction of the solar wind with comets, and have furthermore become specialized in combining simulations and data analysis in order to understand measurements of plasma particles with low energies. Low-energy particles play important roles in many different space environments, but unfortunately they are very difficult to measure in-situ. Through modelling I am trying to improve our understanding of the behaviour of these particles. I also have experience in analysing image data of the Jovian system from the Hubble Space Telescope.

I obtained a degree in space engineering from Luleå University of Technology in 2017, and did my Master’s thesis in the Space and Plasma Physics group at KTH. After this, I did my PhD at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna/Umeå University, and then I moved to Japan where I did my first postdoc at the University of Tokyo. Through this postdoc I became involved in the development of Comet Interceptor, a new cometary mission planned to be launched in 2029, and became a co-I of one of the plasma instruments. Since 2023, I am a postdoc at KTH.