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PhD in Hyperuniform Disordered Metasurfaces for Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Competition funded PhD project. Funding opportunities are available for UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Presidential Bursaries may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants. School studentships typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.
Deadline
Jul 26, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton

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About this position
PhD opportunity at the University of Southampton in hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces for solar-thermal energy conversion.
This project sits in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and will be based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). The research focuses on solar-thermal energy conversion, metasurfaces, photonic materials, optical physics, electromagnetic simulation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The aim is to develop and model hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces that combine near-unity solar absorption with suppressed thermal emission for next-generation solar-thermal systems.
The project combines theory, large-scale computation, and experimental collaboration. You will investigate how structural correlations in disordered photonic materials can be engineered to control absorption, scattering, and emission of light. Methods include finite-element and finite-difference time-domain simulations, physics-informed AI, surrogate modelling, and optimisation to explore large design spaces and identify high-performing architectures. The work also includes collaboration with experimental partners to fabricate and characterise selected metasurface designs.
Eligibility: UK 2:1 honours degree or equivalent in physics, optics, photonics, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, materials science, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline. Strong numerical modelling and scientific programming experience is essential. Experience with computational electromagnetics and knowledge of photonic materials, metasurfaces, disordered or hyperuniform structures, and optimisation methods are desirable.
Funding: Competition-funded PhD project. Funding opportunities are available for UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Presidential Bursaries and school studentships may also provide fee coverage and/or a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.
How to apply: Apply through the University of Southampton portal. Select Research, 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, choose full-time or part-time, search for programme PhD ORC (7097), and add the supervisor name in section 2. Include your CV, two academic references, transcripts/certificates, and an English language qualification if applicable.
Supervisor: Professor Marian Florescu.
Deadline: 2027-07-26, with rolling funding decisions so early application is recommended.
Funding details
Competition funded PhD project. Funding opportunities are available for UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Presidential Bursaries may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants. School studentships typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.
What's required
Applicants must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in physics, optics, photonics, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, materials science, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline. Essential experience includes numerical modelling and scientific programming gained through an undergraduate, master's, or research project. Desirable experience includes computational electromagnetics such as finite-element, finite-difference time-domain, or photonic band-structure methods, plus knowledge of photonic materials, metasurfaces, absorption and emission, disordered or hyperuniform structures, and optimisation methods. English language qualification is required if applicable.
How to apply
Apply online via the University of Southampton portal. Choose Research, 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, select full time or part time, search for programme PhD ORC (7097), and add the supervisor name in section 2. Submit a CV, two academic references, degree transcripts and certificates, and an English language qualification if applicable.
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