Current research degree projects
Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.
453 research degree projects
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Photonics and optoelectronics
Novel communication applications of multi-core optical fibres
This is an opportunity to carry out a PhD at the Communications Systems Lab of the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). The group has been at the forefront of optical fibre communications since the very earliest days of the field providing several critical contributions, including the invention of the erbium doped fibre amplifier – a device that eliminated fibre loss as the fundamental limiting factor to signal transmission and which is installed in all modern optical communication networks. Optical communications remains by far the largest market for photonics and as such it represents one of the ORC’s primary research areas. -
Photonics and optoelectronics
Development of fibre-enabled, distributed gas sensing for environmental and industrial monitoring
We are looking for a new PhD student to join our growing team, working on the design and development of next generation optical fibres to enable novel distributed gas sensing networks. Key applications include environmental and industrial process monitoring. -
Photonics and optoelectronics
Exploring the application of low loss UV-guiding hollow core fibres for enhanced Raman gas sensing
We are looking for a new PhD student, with a background in Physics, Chemistry or Engineering, to join our friendly team, working on a novel gas sensor for applications including next generation energy sources (such as nuclear fusion reactors), sustainable process monitoring and point of care medical diagnosis. If you are looking for hands-on, primarily experimental project, working with an exciting new technology, which spans between academic research and commercial instrument development, then this project could be for you. -
Physics and astronomy
The build-up of galaxies over the last 10 billion years
In the local Universe, galaxies can be broadly classified into discs, ellipticals and irregulars. Discs contain regularly-rotating gas, and are forming new stars. Ellipticals contain predominantly old stars in randomly oriented, round-shaped orbits, don't have much gas and are no longer forming stars. Irregulars are often the result of the merger between two disc galaxies, are rich in gas and dust, and are forming stars at an intense rate. -
Physics and astronomy
What causes galaxies to stop forming stars?
Ellipticals are amongst the most massive galaxies in the present-day Universe, have spheroidal morphologies and red colours, and were formed more than 10 billion years ago. They contain very little cold gas, and are not forming new stars at a substantial rate.How these objects have been formed and evolved across cosmic history is one of the main puzzles for galaxy formation and evolution studies. Indeed, observations show that at their formation epoch, that is redshift z~1-3, most galaxies were actively forming stars within extended stellar discs. Therefore, some mechanisms must quench star formation and induce morphological transformations in galaxies. -
Photonics and optoelectronics
Towards rapid and early cancer diagnostics at the point of care using machine learning assisted vibrational spectroscopy
Cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Cancer is associated with a very high mortality rate (50% survival at 10 years) as most cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. Recent advances have been made in early detection, though the assays employed are still experimental, highly expensive and can suffer from poor sensitivity and specificity. On the other hand, vibrational spectroscopy (Mid-IR and Raman) has shown to be robust in detecting cancer-specific analytes within the blood and other bodily fluids. -
Photonics and optoelectronics | Engineering | Chemistry | Geography and environmental science
Advanced sensors for planetary missions and astrophysics
Are you ready to embark on a journey of otherworldly research? Do you want to be part of the space revolution that is pushing the frontiers of humankind and helping us understand our world and our climate? If so, then join the world-leading Hollow Core Fibre group at the University of Southampton and develop advanced sensors that are enabling the next generation of space missions. -
Photonics and optoelectronics | Electronics and computer science | Mathematical sciences | Physics and astronomy
Artificial intelligence to transform optical fibre design
The aim of this project is to develop the next generation of hollow core optical fibres (HCF) using the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). -
Photonics and optoelectronics
A quantum leap for quantum technology
Are you ready to take a quantum leap in your career? Join the Hollow Core Fibre group at the University of Southampton, in partnership with Microsoft Azure Fiber, and help create the optical fibres necessary for quantum technologies to become a reality. -
Photonics and optoelectronics
Terahertz guiding polymer fibres for next generation data transfer
Most of our digital data is coming via an optical fibre in form of short optical pulses. University of Southampton is one of pioneering institutions in optical fibre development. But are optical fibre limited to optical domain?Terahertz waves sit between infrared and microwave bands. This is fascinating region where optics meets with radio-technology. Its unique properties offer new solutions for medical imaging, security checks and data transfer. Next wireless communication standard 6G will heavily rely on terahertz technology enabling higher bandwidth and greater data transmission rates.