This PhD project at the University of York focuses on developing Resonant Optical Mode resonant ramAN (ROMAN) spectroscopy, a cutting-edge technique that leverages nanophotonic structures to enhance Raman scattering. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for molecular identification, widely used in biomedical and material sciences, but its weak signal typically requires high-power lasers and complex optics, limiting its practical applications. The ROMAN approach aims to overcome these limitations by exploiting both the enhanced Raman cross-section near molecular electronic transitions and the resonant amplification provided by high-quality nanophotonic modes. As a PhD student, you will join the Photonics Research Group, which boasts expertise in designing, fabricating, and characterising advanced photonic nanostructures such as metasurfaces and photonic crystals.

You will gain hands-on experience in cleanroom techniques and electron-beam lithography, mastering the fabrication of innovative nanostructures. The group’s comprehensive suite of lasers and white light sources will allow you to thoroughly characterise your creations, with machine-learning algorithms supporting the design process. The project’s applications are highly interdisciplinary, focusing on the analysis of bacterial biofilms relevant to healthcare and industrial process monitoring. Supported in part by Phorest Diagnostics, a university spin-out company, the research has potential for commercial translation in industrial settings.

The studentship covers home tuition fees, a generous stipend, and a research training grant, with limited full studentships available for exceptional international candidates. Applicants should have a strong experimental aptitude and a keen interest in nanophotonics.

The application deadline is January 31, 2026, and candidates should apply via the University of York’s online system, following the provided guidance.