PhD project in Development of two-micron fibre lasers for processing of organic materials

PhD @University of Southampton in Engineering , in Physics
  • United Kingdom View on Map
  • Post Date : June 19, 2025
  • Apply Before : August 31, 2025
  • Salary: €25,780.00 / Yearly
Email Job

Job Detail

  • Experience  No Preference
  • Qualifications  Master’s

Job Description

About the project

This project aims to investigate novel concepts for high power fibre lasers operating in the two-micron wavelength band and their use in a range of application areas.

Two-micron fibre laser technology has the potential to yield a wealth of new applications in areas such as:

  • industrial laser processing
  • medicine
  • optical communications
  • laser weeding

Moreover, significant power scaling advantages can be gained by moving from traditional ytterbium-doped fibre lasers operating in the one-micron band to the two-micron band.

The main focus of this project will be to create a world leading power-scalable two-micron fibre laser platform based on thulium doped fibres for operation in continuous-wave and pulsed regimes. The research programme will study the physics of thulium doped fibre gain media to formulate new strategies for scaling laser output power whilst simultaneously achieving high efficiency and good beam quality. This will involve the development of novel fibre designs that will be fabricated in our advanced cleanrooms.

The active core material, thulium doped glass, offers access to a wide range of wavelengths in the two-micron band that overlap strong absorption bands in hydro-carbon containing materials and water, so an important aspect of the programme will be to develop lasers with flexibility in operating wavelength driven by the needs of emerging applications in areas such as medicine, organic materials processing and even laser weeding.

Entry requirements

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

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

Fees and funding

For UK students, tuition Fees will be paid and you will receive an enhanced stipend (living allowance) of £25,780 tax-free per year.

This is a fully-funded EPSRC Doctoral Landscape Award Collaborative Studentship with additional funding (£45k cash) from our industry partner, Trumpf Laser UK Ltd.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

  • choose programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  • select Full time or Part time
  • choose the relevant PhD in Optoelectronics (ORC)
  • add name of the supervisor in section 2

Applications should include:

  • a personal statement
  • your CV (resumé)
  • 2 academic references
  • degree transcripts to date

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

If you have a general question, email our doctoral college (feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk).

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Professor Andy Clarkson (wac@orc.soton.ac.uk).

Required skills

Other jobs you may like