This studentship is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics in which the University of Strathclyde is a partner.

The Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (Fh-CAP) seeks for a post graduate student to fulfil an EngD research position in ultrafast solid-state laser technology. The Fh-CAP provides professional research and development services for industry and is part of the larger Fraunhofer network that is Europe’s largest application orientated not-for-profit research organisation. The studentship will explore novel approaches to the design and engineer a high-performance and low-SWaP mode-locked laser systems for their further use in quantum sensing and imaging as well as precise positioning, navigation and timing apparatus such as optical clocks. In particular, research objectives would involve novel laser architectures such as diode-pumped Ti:sapphire systems, advanced mode-locking techniques, power and pulse energy scaling via various amplification schemes, nonlinear spectral broadening and frequency comb generation. Furthermore, the studentship will look at novel laser system stabilisation techniques and rugged architectures involving thermal and mechanical modelling for overall system reliability and applications outside the laboratory environment. The student will have access to the state-of-the-art Fh-CAP optical laboratories and an in-house mechanical and electronic workshops which locate in the Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) in central Glasgow. This studentship will provide a unique opportunity to work with end users and to develop industry contacts in a translational research environment with responsibility at an early stage in an expanding organisation.

The Fh-CAP provides professional research and development services for industry and is part of the larger Fraunhofer network that is Europe’s largest application orientated research organisation. The student will have access to the state-of-the-art Fraunhofer CAP optical laboratories and an in-house mechanical and electronic workshops offering a wide range of manufacturing capabilities and expertise. The range of advanced modelling software is available to complement the design and experimental development activities. Fh-CAP’s main remit is to be a key partner to UK companies in the development of state-of-the-art products and processes. We work across many sectors including wind energy, quantum technology, space, medical, security. This position will provide a unique opportunity to develop industry contacts in a translational research environment with responsibility at an early stage in an expanding organisation. This project will be a combination of the laboratory work and desk study. Both Fraunhofer CAP experimental facilities and offices are located in the Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) in central Glasgow.

Academic supervision for this project will come from the Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde (Prof. Alan Kemp). The Institute of Photonics undertakes use-inspired research in photonics and is co-located with Fraunhofer CAP in the University’s Technology and Innovation Centre.

FhUK is a very friendly and encouraging workplace. We are IOP Project Juno project supporters, disability confident and seek to enjoy a wide diverse population of staff and students. Whilst they may be times when working from home is appropriate, we hope that all our students will embrace being in person in our labs and offices to maximise their benefit from their doctorate.

Institute of Photonics

The Institute of Photonics (IoP), part of the Department of Physics, is a centre of excellence in applications-oriented research at the University of Strathclyde.  The Institute’s key objective is to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications and development in the area of photonics. The IoP is located in the £100M Technology and Innovation Centre on Strathclyde’s Glasgow city centre campus, at the heart of Glasgow’s Innovation District, where it is co-located with the UK’s first Fraunhofer Research Centre. Researchers at the IoP are active in a broad range of photonics fields under the areas of Photonic Devices, Advanced Lasers and Neurophotonics.

Strathclyde Physics is a member of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance.

The University of Strathclyde has, in recent years, been the recipient of the following awards: The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education 1996, 2019, 2021 & 2023; Times Higher Education University of the Year 2012 & 2019; Daily Mail University of the Year 2024 Runner-Up; Daily Mail Scottish University of the Year 2024; Triple E European Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2023.