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Current research degree projects

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Explore our current postgraduate research degree and PhD opportunities.

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195 research degree projects

Photonics and optoelectronics | Engineering | Ocean and earth science | Physics and astronomy

Next generation of Lab-on-Chip (LOC) ocean sensors

This innovative project will enable the miniaturization of Lab-on-Chip (LOC) systems, making them compatible with smaller, more compact Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for real-time, in situ environmental monitoring. 

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics | Engineering | Chemistry | Physics and astronomy

Ultrabroadband solutions for intra data-centre comms

The aim of this project is to provide a solution for intra data centre communications which is sustainable, and uses minimal power. 

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Biological sciences | Engineering

Removal of emerging micropollutants from wastewater in biofilm reactors

Emerging micropollutants, including pharmaceutical residues, personal care products, and industrial chemicals, contaminate global water sources and pose health risks. This project will identify key microorganisms capable of breaking down toxic, persistent organic compounds and develop an effective biofilm with specialized strains to enhance micropollutant removal in bioreactors.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics | Physics and astronomy | Ocean and earth science

Essential Ocean Variables detection using microfibre devices

The Optoelectronic Research Centre (ORC) is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on developing the next generation of Lab-on-Chip (LOC) ocean sensors using femtosecond laser writing technology.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics | Engineering | Physics and astronomy

Advancing the next generation of optical communications

This is a predominantly experimental project that makes use of the strong facilities of the telecommunication systems laboratory of the ORC. 

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics

Silicon devices for nonlinear photonics and applications

This research project will follow the development of silicon devices fabricated both from conventional planar waveguides on-chip as well as those based on an emerging platform that incorporates semiconductor materials directly into the cores of optical fibres.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Engineering | Psychology

Auditory perception of object properties

This project will investigate how humans perceive object properties and their environment through sound, focusing on single impact sounds.  The project will explore implications for audio-visual integration, gamification, speech perception, and auditory scene analysis.  It will also examine the fundamental mechanisms of auditory perception and how we interpret simple sounds to understand our surroundings.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics

Topological materials for efficient light control

Topological photonics is a rising field of research that combines geometric ideas with optical physics. The topological states are robust against sharp corners, defects, and disorders. They then make excellent solutions for building low-loss optical devices in on-chip systems. This project will explore the engineering of topological states based on metamaterials or nanostructures, aiming to deliver recipes for building topological devices.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Photonics and optoelectronics

Spatiotemporal light fields

Recent discoveries of exotic forms of light, structured in space and in time, promise novel ways of transferring information, delivering energy, and even manipulating matter. The project will focus on the generation, light-matter interactions, and applications of spatiotemporally structured electromagnetic waves. 

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 31 August 2025
Engineering

Advanced speech enhancement using Transformer networks

This PhD will develop new AI for clearer speech, focusing on helping those with hearing loss understand conversations better, especially in noisy places. The goal is to improve hearing aids and assistive tech using cutting-edge Transformer networks.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2025