Permanent staff scientist at Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), Sweden.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Wahlund is a Swedish space physicist and senior researcher at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), Uppsala. With over three decades of experience in ionospheric physics, plasma interactions, and astrobiology, he has contributed to numerous space missions and led the Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation (RPWI) on ESA’s JUICE mission to Jupiter. A passionate educator and science communicator, Dr. Wahlund has taught and mentored extensively at Uppsala University and internationally. He is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and serves in key national and international astrobiology and space research networks.
Professional Profile
Scopus
Google Scholar
🎓 Education
-
MSc in Physics and Chemistry, Uppsala University, Sweden (1982–1986)
-
PhD in Space Physics, Uppsala University, Sweden (1986–1992)
-
Associate Professor (Docent), Uppsala University (2000)
💼 Experience
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Wahlund is a senior researcher and associate professor in space physics, currently serving as a full-time permanent staff member at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF), located at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden, since 1997. His professional roles encompass both research and teaching, with responsibilities that have included course development, postgraduate supervision, international project management, and significant public outreach. He has taught and developed several specialized courses, including Space Physics II, Ionospheric Physics & Aeronomy, and Advanced Astrobiology.
Dr. Wahlund has held postdoctoral research appointments at CRPE (University of Versailles, France), Cornell University (USA), and has served as a guest professor at Tohoku University (Japan) and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), University of Colorado Boulder (USA). He has supervised 8 PhD students, mentored 6 postdocs, and evaluated numerous academic theses and research facilities.
He has played a leading role in several major space missions, notably the JUICE/RPWI project with the European Space Agency, where he dedicated up to 70% of his time before the spacecraft’s launch in April 2023. Additionally, he has been active in promoting space science through frequent public lectures and science communication in various media.
He is a Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) since 2013 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Class for Astronomy and Space Sciences (2019–2024). He also chairs the Astrobiology Centre (ABC) at Stockholm University and is a founding member of the Swedish Astrobiology Network (SWAN).
🔬 Research Interests
-
Space plasma physics
-
Ionospheric and magnetospheric interactions
-
Astrobiology and planetary environments
-
Instrumentation and sensor systems for space missions
-
Spacecraft charging and plasma interactions
-
Aeronomy and planetary exploration (including Titan, Jupiter’s moons, and icy bodies)
-
Public engagement and science communication in space sciences
📊 Author Metrics :
-
Total Peer-Reviewed Publications: 222 (1989–2024)
-
Google Scholar Profile: Link
-
Citations: [Check latest from Google Scholar]
-
Supervision:
Top Noted Publications:
1. The Radio & Plasma Wave Investigation (RPWI) for the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE)
Authors: J.E. Wahlund, J.E.S. Bergman, L. Åhlén, W. Puccio, B. Cecconi, Y. Kasaba, et al.
Journal: Space Science Reviews
Volume: 221, Issue: 1, Pages: 1–134
Year: 2025
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-025-01052-6
Citations: 7
2. The MEFISTO and WPT Electric Field Sensors of the Plasma Wave Investigation on the BepiColombo Mio Spacecraft: Measurements of Low and High Frequency Electric Fields at Mercury
Authors: T. Karlsson, Y. Kasaba, J.E. Wahlund, P. Henri, L. Bylander, W. Puccio, et al.
Journal: Space Science Reviews
Volume: 216, Article: 122, Pages: 1–24
Year: 2020
DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00737-4
Citations: 7
3. Empirical Photochemical Modeling of Saturn’s Ionization Balance Including Grain Charging
Authors: E. Vigren, J. Dreyer, A.I. Eriksson, F.L. Johansson, M. Morooka, J.E. Wahlund
Journal: The Planetary Science Journal
Volume: 3, Issue: 2, Article: 49
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/ac51b3
Citations: 6
4. Calibration of the JUICE RWI Antennas by Numerical Simulation
Authors: G. Fischer, M. Panchenko, W. Macher, Y. Kasaba, H. Misawa, M. Tokarz, et al.
Journal: Radio Science
Volume: 56, Issue: 11, Pages: e2021RS007296 (1–23)
Year: 2021
DOI: 10.1029/2021RS007296
Citations: 6
5. Constraining the Positive Ion Composition in Saturn’s Lower Ionosphere with the Effective Recombination Coefficient
Authors: J. Dreyer, E. Vigren, M. Morooka, J.E. Wahlund, S.C. Buchert, F.L. Johansson, et al.
Journal: The Planetary Science Journal
Volume: 2, Issue: 1, Article: 39
Year: 2021
DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/abe5e5
Citations: 6
Conclusion:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jan-Erik Wahlund is highly suitable for the Research for Best Researcher Award in Planetary Space Physics. His career represents an ideal blend of cutting-edge research, leadership in space mission science, impactful mentorship, and international collaboration. With over three decades of contribution to space plasma physics, magnetospheric interactions, and planetary instrumentation, Dr. Wahlund stands out as a visionary whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of the solar system.