About
Professor 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.).
His research has contributed to record-setting demonstrations and advances in areas including metasurfaces and metalenses, vortex-beam sensing, distributed fibre-optic sensing, MEMS and optomechanical sensors, wireless sensor networks, energy harvesting, and microsystems integration. Much of this work combines theoretical modelling with experimental validation, often translating system-level concepts into scalable devices and demonstrators through advanced micro- and nano-fabrication routes. His work is characterised by an emphasis on system-level reasoning, mathematical structure, and physical constraints, with a focus on identifying performance limits and scalability across sensing and photonic platforms.
He published more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and received multiple best-paper awards. He leads a research team of over 20 PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and industry visitors, working with industrial partners to address critical challenges in sensing, emerging computing systems, and advanced fabrication. 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 served on venture capital and innovation panels, evaluating more than 30 early-stage technology ventures.
At the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, he initiated and coordinates the Quantum@FEPS events, bringing together researchers across disciplines to support the development of a coherent quantum strategy at 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 early-stage commercialization initiatives. He is also an Associate Editor for five international journals and a member of both 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 awarded an OBE. 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.