This PhD project at the University of Southampton, supervised by Professor Marian Florescu, focuses on the development and modelling of hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces for solar thermal energy conversion. The research aims to harness structural disorder in nanostructured materials to achieve near-perfect absorption and minimal thermal losses, paving the way for highly efficient next-generation solar thermal energy systems. The project will investigate how structural correlations in disordered photonic materials can be engineered to control the absorption, scattering, and emission of light, thereby enhancing solar thermal energy conversion efficiency. By integrating advanced electromagnetic theory, large-scale computational modelling, and experimental collaboration, the project seeks to establish the principles and design rules for hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces, which use correlated disorder for precise and broadband light management. The research will develop a comprehensive theoretical and computational framework for metal-dielectric-metal metasurfaces that achieve selective solar absorption. Large-scale simulations using finite element and finite difference time domain methods will be employed to analyse how varying degrees of hyperuniformity influence broadband absorption, angular response, and thermal emission. The outcomes are expected to provide new physical insights into the relationship between geometric correlations and optical performance. Key research activities include theoretical formulation and numerical modelling of solar-selective metasurfaces based on hyperuniform geometries, design and optimisation of correlated disorder using physics-informed and machine-learning methodologies, and parametric and multiphysics simulations to identify pathways toward near-unity absorption and suppressed thermal emission. The project also involves collaboration with experimental partners at the University of Bristol and Northumbria University for the fabrication and optical characterisation of prototype metasurfaces. The Optoelectronics Research Centre at Southampton offers access to state-of-the-art computational facilities and over 90 specialist laboratories, providing an excellent environment for training in computational electromagnetics, photonic materials design, and data-driven optimisation. The programme is open to UK, EU, and Horizon Europe students, with full scholarships covering tuition fees, a stipend at the UKRI rate plus 10% ORC enhancement, and a budget for conference travel. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers, while funding for other international applicants is limited and highly competitive. Applicants must hold a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in a relevant discipline. The University of Southampton is committed to equality, diversity, and sustainability, offering a supportive environment for all students.

This PhD project, based at the University of Southampton within the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering, focuses on developing Quantum Reservoir Computing (QRC) as a novel theoretical and computational approach for modeling and designing photonic and quantum materials. QRC leverages the intrinsic dynamics of quantum systems—such as coherence, memory, and nonlinearity—to enable efficient learning, prediction, and inverse design, moving beyond traditional data-intensive or brute-force numerical methods. The research will progress through three main stages: first, establishing physically interpretable algorithms for strongly correlated and open quantum systems; second, exploring quantum neuromorphic architectures using computational models of superconducting, photonic, and hybrid reservoirs to identify energy-efficient learning strategies; and third, applying these frameworks to the inverse design of photonic and quantum structures, demonstrating the potential of QRC to accelerate discovery and optimization in a fully computational setting. The project is hosted at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), a world-leading photonics institute with over 90 laboratories and approximately 200 researchers. The ORC offers a comprehensive training program in photonics, computational methods, and professional development, preparing students for careers in both academia and industry. Students will have opportunities to develop advanced skills in high-performance computing, numerical simulation, machine learning, and quantum theory, with access to large HPC/GPU clusters. The ORC is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative research environment, recognized by its Athena SWAN award for equality, diversity, and inclusion. The position is open to applicants from all backgrounds, with full consideration for those seeking part-time study. Funding is available on a competitive basis: UK students receive a four-year UKRI TechExpert tax-free stipend of around £31,000 per year (UKRI minimum plus £10,000), while EU, Horizon Europe, and international students are eligible for studentships at the UKRI minimum rate. Overseas students with external funding are also welcome to apply. Entry requirements include at least a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. The application deadline is 31 July 2026, with an earlier deadline of 31 March 2026 for international applicants. For further information, prospective students are encouraged to contact Professor Marian Florescu at [email protected].