Ultrafast Laser Inscription for Novel High-Power Fibre Laser Components

About the PhD Project

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as applied photonics, laser-based manufacturing, fibre optics, materials science and engineering? We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co-funded by Leonardo, a global security company that realises multi-domain technological capabilities in Aerospace, Defence & Security.

The studentship will focus on developing novel optical fibre and optical fibre components for high-power energy transfer systems, by utilising advanced laser manufacturing techniques. The successful candidate will explore a new and emerging method for manufacturing novel optical fibres called Axi-Stack (https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.506291), which has potential for a step-change in fibre optic technologies.

 The main objectives of this project are: 

·      Development of laser-based glass microfabrication techniques utilising ultrashort pulsed lasers and selective chemical etching.

·      Research into novel optical fibre manufacturing processes for applications in high-power fibre lasers.

·      Design, fabrication and testing of robust glass optical fibres and components such as low-loss pump combiners and cladding mode strippers for integration in defence and security systems.

The Hub

The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at Heriot-Watt University and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community within the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, a community of students and academics working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

·      Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts

·      Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry

·      Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises

·      Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

·      Host Institution: Heriot-Watt University

·      Industry Partner: Leonardo

·      PhD Duration: 4 years

·      Start Date: 1st October 2025

·      Enhanced stipend of £23,237

The industrial partner, Leonardo (www.leonardo.com), is a major global security company that realises multi-domain technological capabilities in Aerospace, Defence & Security, often enabled by state-of-the-art photonic technologies. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Please check the hub website for further details: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/energy-transfer-skills-training-hub

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the project supervisor, Dr Calum Ross ([email protected]), for this PhD project before you apply.

How to apply

For formal applications, please apply here: https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/apply/uk/postgraduate.htm.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference.