Accelerating AI with Low Latency Hollow Core Fibres

PhD Opportunity: Accelerating AI with Low Latency Hollow Core Fibres

Do you aspire to contribute to the forthcoming AI revolution? If so, join the world-leading Hollow Core Fibre group at the University of Southampton, in partnership with Microsoft Azure Fiber, and be part of a ground-breaking research project called “FASTNET”.

Project Overview This innovative project aims to develop low latency Hollow Core Fibres (HCFs) customised to improve the training speed of increasingly more powerful large language models (LLM), evolving from GPT4. This is a pioneering field with immense potential for technological advancement in the rapidly expanding field of AI. Faster and high-bandwidth underlying optical networks are essential, and HCFs have the potential to deliver unparalleled speed.

Role and Responsibilities As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop next generation, low latency HCFs customised for ultrafast high bandwidth interconnections.
• Collaborate with teams at the University/Optoelectronics Research Centre and at Microsoft Azure Fiber.
• Contribute to improve the physical infrastructure for LLM training.

About You We are seeking candidates with a strong interest in AI, optics, and a keen desire to learn more about hollow core fibres. Candidates must have a background in physics/engineering/material science and an interest in glass science and fibre optics. Through this project, you will not only develop custom HCFs for AI applications but will also deliver new ways of understanding the fundamental physics of how these fibres work, and how the design parameters influence the performance of these fibres.

Join Us This is a unique opportunity to work with a world leader in HCF technology and Microsoft Azure Fiber, who fabricate fibre in their dedicated facility near Southampton.

The project is based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton, which has led the world in optical fibre technology research for the past 50 years. With over 90 state-of-the-art laboratories and 200 researchers working in all areas of photonics, the ORC provides an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for students to grow. Its cluster of 12 photonics spin-out companies provides a natural career path for PhD graduates.

If you are ready to accelerate AI with low latency hollow core fibres, we would love to hear from you. Seize this opportunity to be at the forefront of AI and optics research, and make a significant impact on the future of technology.

Entry Requirements

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

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.