Supervisory Team : Prof Natalie Wheeler, Dr Austin Taranta, Dr Hans Christian Mulvad (University of Southampton), Dr Eddie Pennington (UKAEA)

Are you looking for a PhD opportunity where you can contribute to the development of sustainable fusion energy, helping to overcome a key challenge for our society and creating a green future for our world? This PhD project is a collaboration between the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), who manages the UK fusion energy programme.

At the ORC, we are pioneering the development of hollow core fibres (HCF) to meet the extreme demands of fusion energy. Fusion reactors, which promise a nearly limitless and clean energy source, require innovative solutions to overcome some of the world’s most significant scientific and engineering challenges. One critical hurdle is the integration of fibre sensors that can withstand ultra-high radiation and extreme temperatures.

Our team is at the cutting edge of designing, fabricating, and characterizing HCFs with unique properties such as extreme radiation hardness and temperature insensitivity. These fibres are essential for the harsh environments within fusion reactors. However, to fully harness their potential, we need advanced coatings that can endure these extreme conditions. The fibres and coating materials you develop will be integral to the fusion reactors of tomorrow and could have further applications in space research and environmental sensing.

We are looking for a candidate with a background in materials science or chemistry, and an interest in optical engineering or fibre technology. If you are self-motivated, a creative problem-solver, and would like to work in a multidisciplinary team, please apply. Your role will involve fabricating coated HCF samples, conducting material characterizations, and testing fibres under extreme conditions. You will be part of our HCF research team and receive relevant skills training. You will also collaborate with in-house researchers and external partners, to guide fibre development and participate in applications research and initial testing.

In your first year, you will benefit from a structured training program alongside your research, easing your transition into open-ended inquiry. Our students regularly present at international conferences and publish in high-quality journals. Many of our alumni have advanced their careers in academia and industry worldwide.

Ready to make a significant impact on the future of fusion energy? Apply now and join us in this exciting journey!

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof. Natalie Wheeler, Email: [email protected]

Entry Requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in physics or a closely related discipline.

A background in materials science or chemistry, and an interest in optical engineering or fibre technology, will be beneficial.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) .

You need to:

• choose programme type (research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

• please select if you will be full time or part time

• choose PhD in Optoelectronics (ORC)

• add Prof Natalie Wheeler as the proposed supervisor in Section 2

Applications should include:

• personal statement

• CV (resumé)

• 2 reference letters

• degree transcripts to date