Project Vacancies
The CDT in Applied Photonics welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We particularly encourage applications from people who are currently underrepresented in our CDT.
The application deadline for projects starting in September 2021 is 31st May.
Only projects showing the 
symbol are open to international applicants. Non-UK National applicants with settled status in the UK may apply for all projects.
Autonomous Energy Harvesting Image Sensor and Object Recognition
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PhD
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EngD
Company: STMicroelectronics
University: University of Edinburgh
Supervisor: Prof Robert Henderson
About the Project This work will research, design and develop an Energy Harvesting Image sensor which has integrated image processing and analysis functions to produce a fully self-powered autonomous sensor system capable of object detection, presence detection, motion detection, user identification etc. Energy Harvesting sensors are extremely power limited, typically...
Laser sensing and ranging systems based on novel laser sources in mid- and long- infrared spectral regions
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Fraunhofer
University: University of Strathclyde
Supervisor: Dr Michael Lengden
Project Description: (a) How does the project fit with the Imaging, Sensing and Analysis scope of Centre? This project will address the urgent requirement for new photonics tools to police stricter greenhouse gases (GHG) emission standards. In particular, development of cost-effective photonics tools to improve accuracy and simplify the design of sensing...
Development of compact remote gas detection devices using chip-scale deep ultra-violet light-emitting diodes and single photon detectors
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd
University: University of Strathclyde
Supervisor: Dr Johannes Herrnsdorf
Project Description: (a) How does the project fit with the Imaging, Sensing and Analysis scope of Centre? The project is focused on developing new sensor technology for Hydrogen: an increasingly important - yet notoriously difficult to detect – molecule. (b) What are the key academic and industrial research questions...
New platforms in simultaneous multi-analyte sensing 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Edinburgh Instruments Ltd
University: University of St Andrews
Supervisor: Prof Graham Turnbull and Prof Eli Zysman-Colman
Project Description: a) How does the project fit with the scope of CDT Applied Photonics? Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful technique for optical detection of chemicals at very low concentrations. The target analyte molecules (which may be in the form of a vapour or very dilute solution) interact with a...
Adaptive beamforming in advanced compact commercial systems
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PhD
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EngD
Company: IMV Imaging
University: University of Dundee
Supervisor: Prof Zhihong Huang/Prof Stephen McKenna
About the Project This work will use the Verasonics research ultrasound imaging platform to interfacie with commercial and prototype ultrasound probes and together with recent academic developments in machine learning inform and guide development of commercial ultrasound scanners and enhance ultrasound induced Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) elastography. The project...
Metasurfaces for augmented reality applications 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: VividQ Ltd.
University: University of St Andrews
Supervisor: Dr Sebastian Schulz
About the Project The aim of this project is the development of optical metasurfaces, (ultimate goal is a metasurfaces based spatial light modulator), optimized for the generation of high-resolution and dynamic, colour holograms for augmented reality applications, with hologram pattern provided by the proprietary software developed by VividQ. As such...
Development of remote optoelectronic sensor systems for long-term component monitoring
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PhD
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EngD
Company: AWE
University: Heriot-Watt University
Supervisor: Dr William MacPherson
Project Description: (a) How does the project fit with the Imaging, Sensing and Analysis scope of Centre? Advanced optical sensing and instrumentation offers the means to monitor complex environments that may not be possible using conventional sensing techniques. This project aims to develop novel optical sensing solutions for demanding engineering environments, and...
Evaluation of compact & low-cost sensing for rapid for bio-medical & consumer healthcare using processing & machine learning techniques
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PhD
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EngD
Company: STMicroelectronics (R&D) Ltd
University: University of Strathclyde
Supervisor: Dr David Li
Project Abstract This work will use commercially available optical intensity and time of flight sensors to investigate a range of possibilities of rapid & real-time sensing in biomedical, consumer healthcare & wellbeing applications through the development of efficient processing algorithms and machine learning techniques. Full project details available at https://bit.ly/3isY295
More efficient deep learning for medical image analysis
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Canon Medical Research Europe
University: TBA
Supervisor: TBA
Project Abstract Artificial intelligence in the form of deep learning, for instance using convolutional neural networks, has made a huge impact on medical image analysis. It dominates conference and journal publications and has demonstrated state-of-the-art performance in many benchmarks and applications, outperforming human observers in some situations. But, despite this,...
Hybrid Optical-Digital Coherence Tomography 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Optos
University: University of Dundee
Supervisor: Dr Tom Vettenburg
Project Optos Plc is a leading provider of diagnostic devices for the eyecare professional. Since 2015, Optos became a part of Nikon, and today the company has offices worldwide in 4 continents. One of the key drivers for the global success of Optos has been its continuous investment in research...
Laser sources and semiconductor optical amplifiers for free-space orbital angular momentum communication systems 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Huawei Technologies (Sweden) AB
University: University of Glasgow
Supervisor: Dr Lianping Hou & Professor John Marsh
Project Description Wavelength division multiplexed（WDM）optical transceivers and semiconductor optical amplifiers have been highly engineered for use within optical fibre networking and are a key enabling technologies that are at the heart of our optical communications systems. These technologies have yet to be widely used in other optical systems such as...
Advanced optical systems for terabit free-space communications 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Huawei Technologies (Sweden) AB
University: University of Glasgow
Supervisor: Prof Martin Lavery
Project Description Next generation mobile communications networks, such as 6G will revolutionise the way we interact with technology, enabling super high-speed connections to our mobile devices. However, this places incredible strain on the backhaul and access networks that support 5G and beyond. Optical connections are the only viable solution for...
Advanced holography for augmented reality head-up displays 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Ceres Holographics Ltd
University: Dundee
Supervisor: Dr. Tom Vettenburg
Ceres Holographics is at the forefront of volume hologram production in photo-polymerisable film. This has wide ranging applications, including augmented reality head-up displays for the automotive market. Such displays can be used for displaying driver and traffic information on the windshield of a car. While currently marketed technology displays the...
Optimisation of interferometry-based volume holography for industrial applications 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Ceres Holographics Ltd.
University: St Andrews
Supervisor: Professor Graham Turnbull & Dr Andrea di Falco
Project Description Volume holograms based on photopolymers are one of the most promising platforms to develop commercial applications of holographic optical elements at industrial level. Ceres Holographics’ unique approach uses a bespoke interferometric process to create volume phase holograms in a proprietary photopolymer. The process is high yield and reliable...
