PhD Projects | Study | University of Southampton

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248 research degree projects

Photonics and optoelectronics

Development of Specialty Optical Fibres for High-power Eye-safe Fibre Lasers

This PhD project will focus on advancing the fabrication of active optical fibres, optimising their material properties, and developing specialised coatings to achieve excellent laser efficiency, good beam quality, and effective thermal management for high-power fibre lasers and amplifiers operating at the eye-safe wavelength of 1.55 micrometers (μm) .

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics | Physics and astronomy

Integrating hollow-core fibres with photonic integrated circuits

Are you excited by cutting-edge optics, photonics, and the chance to help develop revolutionary new technology? This PhD project explores how to combine two transformative technologies – Hollow-Core Fibres (HCFs) and Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) to build a revolutionary new photonics platform and unlock new possibilities in science and engineering.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Engineering

Experimental Measurement and Modelling of Turbulent Dispersed Multiphase Flows using Computer Vision and Machine Learning

This PhD tackles the challenge of understanding turbulent emulsions, which is crucial for developing cleaner, more efficient industrial processes. Using cutting-edge experiments, computer vision and machine learning, you’ll generate unique data to build predictive models of droplet dynamics, advancing both fundamental fluid mechanics and sustainable process engineering.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Electronics and Computer Science

Nanostructured neural architectures for sustainable neuromorphic computing

Artificial intelligence is transforming society but comes with a growing energy and carbon cost. This project will explore new nanostructured materials and device architectures that can deliver brain-inspired computing with radically improved energy efficiency.

Funding: Fully funded (UK and international)

Closing date: 17 July 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics

Optoelectronic device integration for next-Generation photonic memories and neuromorphic computing

This project focuses on developing nanostructured optoelectronic devices for next-generation photonic memory and neuromorphic computing. You will design and fabricate brain-inspired nanoscale systems using advanced materials and nanopatterning, integrating them with photonic sources to realise high-speed, energy-efficient optoelectronic neural networks for future artificial intelligence (AI) and computing technologies.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics

Advancing on-chip spectroscopic platforms for real-time bedside monitoring of antimicrobial drugs in critical care

Critically ill patients often receive antimicrobials with unpredictable pharmacokinetics, risking subtherapeutic or toxic levels. This project develops a miniaturized on-chip spectroscopic platform using mid-infrared and Raman techniques with AI analysis for real-time bedside Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, enabling precise, personalized dosing, improving safety, reducing resistance, and optimizing ICU care.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 May 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics | Electronics and Computer Science | Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Physics and astronomy

Detection of ionising radiation using optical hollow-core fibres

This project will explore the use of lasers and optical hollow-core fibres to detect ionising radiation, aiming to realise distributed radiation sensing along a single fibre. A novel detection capability of this kind may find applications in areas ranging from nuclear threat reduction to particle accelerators and future fusion reactors.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 August 2026
Engineering | Mathematical sciences | Physics and astronomy

Integrating advanced source models for improved airport noise assessment

This PhD project focuses on improving aircraft noise prediction for emerging technologies at early design stages. It involves developing whole-aircraft noise models, incorporating operational factors and fleet-level scenarios. The research supports Rolls-Royce’s noise prediction systems and informs certification standards and airport noise policies.

Funding: Fully funded (UK only)

Closing date: 31 July 2026
Photonics and optoelectronics

Intelligent Nanofabrication for Nanophotonics

Focused ion beam (FIB) milling is a key enabling technology in physical sciences research and industrial micro/nanotech manufacturing. This project will develop and apply deep learning techniques to accelerate and improve FIB nanofabrication processes for advanced photonic materials, in turn enhancing their optical performance and energy efficiency.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 October 2026
Engineering

Resilient design of submerged infrastructure under complex hydrodynamic conditions

This project investigates hydrodynamic interactions between environmental flows, submerged infrastructure, and sediments to enhance the resilience of critical structures such as bridge piers and offshore energy foundations. Using large-scale laboratory experiments and advanced analysis, the research aims to inform sustainable, cost-effective and efficient design for complex environmental conditions.

Funding: Competition funded

Closing date: 31 July 2026