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.
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...
Optical spectroscopy to enable screening in the liver transplant theatre 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: Edinburgh Transplant Centre/ NHS
University: University of Edinburgh
Supervisor: Professor Colin Campbell
Project Description: (a) How does the project fit with the Imaging, Sensing and Analysis scope of Centre? The project is based around the concept of using Raman Spectroscopy as a method to assess the quality of organs prior to transplantation. The sensing is the measurement of metabolic profiles in an...
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 Optoelectronic Sensor Systems to Support Materials Life Assessment
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PhD
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EngD
Company: AWE
University: Heriot-Watt University
Supervisor: Dr William MacPherson
Project Abstract This project looks to draw on the expertise within the CDT in Applied Photonics to support the development of novel technologies to support AWE in its mission to support and maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. In scenarios where electrical based measurements introduce an unacceptable safety risk, optical-based sensor...
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...
Ultra-High-Q Integrated Optical Microresonators for Frequency Comb Generation
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PhD
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EngD
Company: National Physical Laboratory
University: University of Glasgow
Supervisor: Professor Marc Sorel
Project Description Integrated photonics is a major emerging technological field with the potential for massive impact on the biomedical, security, defence, transportation, telecoms and other sectors. Specifically, integrated high-Q optical microresonators could form the basis for a vast array of new devices including handheld optical clocks, trace gas detectors, ultraprecise...
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...
Development of Planar Waveguide Based Gas Sensors for Challenging Environments 🌐
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PhD
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EngD
Company: AWE
University: St Andrews
Supervisor: Andrea di Falco
Project Description This project looks to draw on the expertise within the CDT in Applied Photonics to support the development of novel optical sensing technologies to support AWE in its mission to support and maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Sensor technologies are essential to provide data from experiments to improve...
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...
