Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Network - TRADES - Training & Research In Advanced Disp[...] in Southampton

The University of Southampton is committed to excellence in all we do, applying our insights and inventiveness to solve the most complex societal and environmental challenges. As a world-leading, research-intensive university, with a strong and high-quality educational offering, we are renowned for our innovation and enterprise and are within the top 1% of universities worldwide.

Novel dispersive photonic devices are opening incredible possibilities for efficient lasers and light manipulation. We’re looking for two passionate PhD students to join a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action doctoral training network–Training & Research in Advanced Dispersion Engineered grating-waveguide Structures (TRADES)–and push the boundaries of what’s possible with nanofabrication technology.

Nanofabrication covers ground-breaking techniques to structure materials at dimensions smaller than the wavelength of visible light, enabling new light-matter interactions via a metasurface structure coupled to a waveguide, often called Grating Waveguide Structures (GWS). By advancing our understanding and development of scalable nanofabrication processes on a crystalline platform, you’ll be at the forefront of creating the next generation of advanced optical components enabling novel laser systems for future photonics applications.

What You’ll Do:

• innovate: develop scalable nanofabrication processes to fabricate novel dispersive grating waveguide structures
• collaborate: work with a dynamic team and engage in interdisciplinary research
• experiment: gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge cleanroom and physical‑vapour‑deposition fabrication techniques, lasers, and honing your practical skills
• explore: help develop a deeper understanding of high‑fidelity GWS fabrication across dimensional scales differing by 1-million times.

We’re seeking two enthusiastic and capable doctoral candidates who are eager to dive into cleanroom/laboratory work and learn new practical skills for a foundation underpinning a career in photonics. You’ll have a solid grounding in physical sciences with an eagerness to understand and solve critical challenges. The projects involve developing functional advanced materials for new optical components and innovative lasers applications.

In these projects you'll have access to:

• state‑of‑the‑art facilities: access to top‑tier resources, cleanrooms, and materials‑characterisation suites
• interdisciplinary research: collaborate with experts within the university and beyond
• international collaboration: work closely within a cohort of 15 students hosted across Europe working towards a common project goal, including 3 months of placement visits.

At the time of recruitment (i.e. first date of employment), you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc…) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment under this project. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. At the time of recruitment, you must not yet have been awarded your doctorate.

In order to be considered for these posts, please also complete the postgraduate application process for the desired post below: You should be able to start in September 2026 or soon thereafter.

For informal enquiries, please write to Dr Jacob Mackenzie (jim@soton.ac.uk).

Please note, upon appointment your post title will be ‘MSCA Doctoral Network Research Fellow’. The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) 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.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.

Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.