PhD Studentship: Next-Generation Integrated Opto-Electronic Devices for Switching, Computing, and Sensing PhD (fully funded)

Fully-funded PhD Studentship – Next-Generation Integrated Opto-Electronic Devices for Switching, Computing, and Sensing

We are offering a fully-funded PhD studentship in the field of photonics and/or opto-electronics (UK/international tuition fees covered). The aim of project is to develop a new generation of integrated opto-electronic devices for next generation neuromorphic computing, networking and sensing.

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are the optical equivalents of electronic chips. Microscopic waveguides guide light across a chip to perform a multitude of functions — at the speed of light. [1][2] This emerging technology holds enormous potential, offering routes towards new forms of highly parallelised information processing (optical computing), point-of-care diagnostics, next-generation communications, and much more. Yet the field is still in its infancy. There are exciting prospects, but equally many problems to solve, new architectures to explore, and new applications to discover.

The aim of this project is to design, fabricate, and measure on-chip photonic integrated circuits that are capable of new types of signal-processing, sensing and communications applications. In particular, we will explore novel interfaces between PICs and free-space optical technologies. This will open up new avenues to guide the flow of optical information from the environment into PICs, where it can be efficiently processed on-chip. This project combines the expertise of the Farmakidis research group in PIC technology [3-7], and the Phillips group in free-space adaptive optics [8-12]. We are seeking a highly motivated and curious PhD student to join our team at the intersection of photonics, electronics, and nanofabrication. The successful candidate will play a leading role in conceiving and realizing advanced integrated and free-space opto-electronic devices for next-generation computing, communications, and sensing applications. This project will involve full-cycle research—from concept development, modelling and simulation, through to fabrication and advanced optical/electrical characterization—offering a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of photonic device engineering.

This is a 3.5-year PhD position based jointly in the Photonic and Electronic Devices Laboratory led by Dr. Nikolaos Farmakidis within the Department of Engineering at the University of Exeter (Streatham campus, Exeter) and the Structured Light Laboratory led by Prof. David Phillips at the department of Physics. The PhD studentship includes travel resources for national and international research visits and attendance at the leading international conferences in the field.

The ideal candidate should have an enthusiasm for experimentation, an aptitude for building and programming measurement and testing setups and natural curiosity. This research project would ideally suit a candidate with a background in one of the following disciplines: Engineering, Physics, Optics, Computer Science, or Natural Sciences, although we are open to any enthusiastic applicant with a science-related background.

The start date of the studentship is October 2026 (or earlier or soon thereafter). The award covers UK/International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend for a duration of 3.5 years (full time) or part time equivalent. The stipend will be at least £20,780 per yr. (which is the 2025-26 rate). The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Nikolaos Farmakidis at the University of Exeter (email: n.farmakidis@exeter.ac.uk).

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