2-micron integrated photonics

Supervisory Team: Jacob Mackenzie, Goran Mashanovich, Colin Mitchell

Project description

Integrated photonics has come of age, enabled by nano-fabrication technologies. We seek a talented applicant to advance the development of novel on-chip sources in the 2-micron wavelength window, coupled with integrated modulation and detection schemes. The 2-micron band has become a promising candidate for the next communication window and there are also several sensing applications (e.g., glucose detection). Capitalising on our advanced cleanroom facilities you would work in a team engineering active and nonlinear materials, and structures, as well as silicon photonics integrated circuits, that will underpin new functional communications and sensing devices on the silicon photonics platform.

We are looking for an eager and conscientious applicant to develop processes for developing active and non-linear configurations that will address unrealised opportunities for IR-photonic integrated circuits. Your role will include design and development of 2-micron lasers coupled with non-linear and functionalised optical-waveguide circuits leading to new operating regimes and applications.

Due to the nature of this project, there will be opportunity for both inter-disciplinary research with academic and industrial collaborators with interests in sensing and communications in the 2-micron wavelength range.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Jacob Mackenzie, Planar Waveguide and Slab Lasers Research, Email: jim@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 238059 2693, or Goran Mashanovich, Silicon Photonics, Email: G.Mashanovich@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 238059 2060

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

The start date will typically be late September, but other dates are possible.

Funding

For UK students, tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate plus £2,000 ORC enhancement tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years (totalling around £21,000 for 2024/25, rising annually). EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers. Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD ORC”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor.

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

The School of Zepler Institute is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.