Next-Generation Integrated Opto-Electronic Devices for Switching, Computing, and Sensing PhD (fully funded) Ref: 5830

Supervisors

Nikolaos Farmakidis, Dept. of Engineering, University of Exeter

David Phillips, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, University of Exeter.

Fully-funded PhD Studentship – Next-Generation Integrated Opto-Electronic Devices for Switching, Computing, and Sensing

We are offering a fully-funded PhD studentship in the field of photonics and/or opto-electronics (UK/international tuition fees covered). The aim of project is to develop a new generation of integrated opto-electronic devices for next generation neuromorphic computing, networking and sensing.

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are the optical equivalents of electronic chips. Microscopic waveguides guide light across a chip to perform a multitude of functions — at the speed of light. [1][2] This emerging technology holds enormous potential, offering routes towards new forms of highly parallelised information processing (optical computing), point-of-care diagnostics, next-generation communications, and much more. Yet the field is still in its infancy. There are exciting prospects, but equally there are many problems to solve, new architectures to explore, and new applications to discover.

The aim of this project is to design, fabricate, and measure on-chip photonic integrated circuits that are capable of new types of signal-processing, sensing and communications applications. In particular, we will explore novel interfaces between PICs and free-space optical technologies. This will open up new avenues to guide the flow of optical information from the environment into PICs, where it can be efficiently processed on-chip. This project combines the expertise of the Farmakidis research group in PIC technology [3-7], and the Phillips group in free-space adaptive optics [8-12]. We are seeking a highly motivated and curious PhD student to join our team at the intersection of photonics, electronics, and nanofabrication. The successful candidate will play a leading role in conceiving and realizing advanced integrated and free-space opto-electronic devices for next-generation computing, communications, and sensing applications. This project will involve full-cycle research—from concept development, modelling and simulation, through to fabrication and advanced optical/electrical characterization—offering a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of photonic device engineering.

This is a 3.5-year PhD position based jointly in the Photonic and Electronic Devices Laboratory led by Dr. Nikolaos Farmakidis within the Department of Engineering at the University of Exeter (Streatham campus, Exeter) and the Structured Light Laboratory led by Prof. David Phillips at the department of Physics. The PhD studentship includes travel resources for national and international research visits and attendance at the leading international conferences in the field.

The ideal candidate should have an enthusiasm for experimentation, an aptitude for building and programming measurement and testing setups and natural curiosity. This research project would ideally suit a candidate with a background in one of the following disciplines: Engineering, Physics, Optics, Computer Science, or Natural Sciences, although we are open to any enthusiastic applicant with a science-related background.

The start date of the studentship is October 2026 (or earlier or soon thereafter). The award covers UK/International tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend for a duration of 3.5 years (full time) or part time equivalent. The stipend will be at least £20,780 per yr. (which is the 2025-26 rate). The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Nikolaos Farmakidis at the University of Exeter (email: n.farmakidis@exeter.ac.uk).

References

[1] Farmakidis, N., Dong, B. & Bhaskaran, H. Integrated photonic neuromorphic computing: opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Electr Eng 1, 358–373 (2024).

[2] Bogaerts, W., Pérez, D., Capmany, J. et al. Programmable photonic circuits. Nature 586, 207–216 (2020).

[3] Dong, B., Brückerhoff-Plückelmann, F., Meyer, L. et al. Partial coherence enhances parallelized photonic computing. Nature 632, 55–62 (2024).

[4] Zhang, Y., Farmakidis, N., Roumpos, I. et al. All-optical temporal integration mediated by subwavelength heat antennas. Nat Commun 17, 989 (2026).

[5]  Dong, B., Aggarwal, S., Zhou, W. et al. Higher-dimensional processing using a photonic tensor core with continuous-time data. Nat. Photon. 17, 1080–1088 (2023).

[6] Zhou, W., Dong, B., Farmakidis, N. et al. In-memory photonic dot-product engine with electrically programmable weight banks. Nat Commun 14, 2887 (2023).

[7] Nikolaos Farmakidis et al. ,Plasmonic nanogap enhanced phase-change devices with dual electrical-optical functionality.Sci. Adv.5,eaaw2687(2019).

[8] A. Rocha, José C., Unė G. Būtaitė, Joel Carpenter, and David B. Phillips. "Self-configuring high-speed multi-plane light conversion." Nature Communications (2025).

[9] Mididoddi, Chaitanya K., Robert J. Kilpatrick, Christina Sharp, Philipp Del Hougne, Simon AR Horsley, and David B. Phillips. "Threading light through dynamic complex media." Nature Photonics 19, no. 4 (2025): 434-440.

[10] Stellinga, Daan, David B. Phillips, Simon Peter Mekhail, Adam Selyem, Sergey Turtaev, Tomáš Čižmár, and Miles J. Padgett. "Time-of-flight 3D imaging through multimode optical fibers." Science 374, no. 6573 (2021): 1395-1399.

[11] Būtaitė, Unė G., Christina Sharp, Michael Horodynski, Graham M. Gibson, Miles J. Padgett, Stefan Rotter, Jonathan M. Taylor, and David B. Phillips. "Photon-efficient optical tweezers via wavefront shaping." Science Advances 10, no. 27 (2024): eadi7792.

[12] Kupianskyi, Hlib, Simon AR Horsley, and David B. Phillips. "All-optically untangling light propagation through multimode fibers." Optica 11, no. 1 (2024): 101-112.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in the physical sciences or engineering. (relevant subjects include Physics, Optics, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, although we are open to any enthusiastic applicant with a science-related background).

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents:

•            CV

•            Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•            Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•            Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.

•            If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 31^st March 2026.  

Interviews will be held virtually approximately on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5830 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary