About
Prof. Jize Yan, an expert in Sensor Technology and Microsystems at the University of Southampton, holds a BEng from Tsinghua University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. He's been awarded over £30M in research grants (e.g. PI of the EPSRC Grant (EP/V000624/1, Integrated levitated optomechanical gravimeter) and its IAA Funds. Co-I on several grants awarded in 2024: the £12M UK Semiconductor Innovation and Knowledge Centre (EP/Z531066/1, CORNERSTONE Photonics Innovation Centre), £1.3M+¥220M Japan-UK Semiconductor Collaboration Grant (APP45220, Heterogeneous material integrated MEMS/NEMS-Photonics platform for secure communication), £1.1M Innovate UK Accelerating Trustworthy AI Grant (10092974, DeepMyna Phase 2), £0.5M UK ARIA Grant (Miniaturised multimodal sensors mimicking skin mechanosensation for AI-enhanced neurovascular precision) and £0.24M UK Space Agency Grant (Silicon photonic beam pointing for free space optical communications). Co-I of £10M EMSET Grant at Cambridge CARE. etc.). He published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and received multiple best-paper awards. He leads a research team of over 20 PhD students, Post-Docs and industry visitors, working with industry leaders to solve critical metrology challenges in infrastructure safety, space observatory, health care and quantum technology.
Jize's pioneering research has set world records, driving innovations in areas such as meta-lenses, vortex-beam sensors, distributed fiber optic sensors, MEMS and optomechanical sensors, wireless sensor networks, energy harvesting, and cleanroom fabrication. His theoretical research interests, which bridges theory and practical applications, includes work on classically entangled light, optical hyper-entanglement, holographic duality, fisher information flow and optical computing.
With more than 10 patents, Jize co-founded several spin-out companies (8power, Wisen, Traco) and facilitated technology transfer for companies like Silicon Microgravity, NXP Semiconductors, and Cementation Skanska, generating over £20M in income. He has been invited to serve on venture capital panels, evaluating more than 30 startup proposals.
At the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, he initiated and coordinates the Quantum@FEPS events, bringing together academics with an interest in quantum technologies to shape a cohesive quantum strategy for Southampton. At the School of Electronics and Computer Science, he enhanced the internal grant review process, serves as EEE Impact Champion for REF2029, and mentors commercialization initiatives. He is also an associate editor for five international journals and a member of the UKRI Talent Review College and the EPSRC Peer Review College.
In education, Jize works with leading AI education enterprises to advance AI technologies and shape future AI education standards. His commitment to his team’s development has resulted in rapid career progression for his students—some have achieved full professorships at esteemed universities at an early age, while others secured tenure-track positions at prestigious institutions like UC Berkeley and EPFL. One student was even knighted. His former students have also founded successful spin-off companies, with one gaining a significant share of the UK market. Jize is always open to PhD and fellowship applicants and is dedicated to helping candidates secure academic positions or achieve their career aspirations.