The human brain is exceptional at detecting and processing multiple events, quickly and efficiently, to trigger desired responses. Hence, neuromorphic (brain-like) technologies are receiving increasing research interest for use in novel sensing and in-sensor processing systems. To date, neuromorphic systems have been mainly supported by traditional digital electronics. However, photonic (light-enabled) technologies for neuromorphic sensing are attracting growing interest due to their inherent unique and superior properties. These include high speed, energy-efficiency, reduced sensitivity to interference, large bandwidths, high parallelism, multi-modal operation, among others.

This PhD project will focus on the investigation of novel photonic-electronic technologies for transformative, light-enabled neuromorphic (neural-like) sensing and in-sensing processing systems benefitting from ultrafast and energy-efficient operation as well as for their potentials for Low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) technologies.

This programme will exploit the ability of different optoelectronic devices (e.g. semiconductor lasers, resonant tunnelling diodes) to yield high-speed and low-energy neural-like spiking responses when subject to external perturbations (optical or electrical). Based upon this remarkable feature this project will design, develop and investigate novel neuromorphic optical sensing systems able to transform incoming events’ information into spike-encoded optical signals at very high rates. Additionally, this programme will also focus on the development of efficient neuromorphic algorithms for the training and operation of the developed spike-based neuromorphic photonic sensing. This highly inter-disciplinary project merging together different disciplines (e.g. photonics, neuromorphic technology, artificial intelligence) will thus develop a first generation of functional ultrafast, energy-efficient neuromorphic photonic sensing and in-sensor processing platforms for key strategic applications (e.g. remote sensing, smart sensor networks, infrared sensing, event-based technologies, edge-computing).

This PhD studentship project will also benefit from multiple opportunities for collaboration and visits to research partners in the UK and overseas. These include UK groups forming part of the newly funded UK Multi-Disciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing and the UKRI Innovation Knowledge Centre on Neuromorphic Computing Hardware (Neuroaware); programmes for which Prof Hurtado is the technical lead at the University of Strathclyde. Additionally, collaboration opportunities are expected with European institutions forming the consortia of EU programmes managed at Strathclyde by Prof. Hurtado, including the EIC Pathfinder project ‘SpikePro’ and the MSCA Doctoral Network ‘MindNet’.

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. Please see our research for more information.

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

The University of Strathclyde has been the recipient of the following awards: UK University of the Year 2026 (Daily Mail University Guide); Scottish University of the Year 2026 (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide); The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education 1996, 2019, 2021 & 2023; University of the Year 2012 & 2019 (Times Higher Education).