PhD Projects

This project will explore the feasibility of using single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array sensors in conjunction with scintillating fibres as a distributed neutron sensing system within a nuclear fusion reactor. The work lies at the intersection of emerging quantum technologies and the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) research into nuclear fusion (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority).  There is a strategic need to develop high-performance and accurate sensor systems, particularly for neutron radiation diagnostics, to support long-term operations. 

The goal is to develop a system capable of spatially resolving neutron distributions in challenging reactor geometries, such as those found in the LIBRTI blanket experiments (https://www.ukaea.org/work/librti/). This capability would provide valuable insight into neutron behaviour in fusion reactions.  LIBRTI’s goal is to demonstrate controlled tritium breeding, marking a crucial step toward a predictable and controllable method for generating the fuel required for a self-sustaining fusion fuel cycle. This PhD project explores the potential of embedding scintillating fibres within blanket structures, enabling radiation measurements in locations inaccessible to conventional neutron diagnostics. The PhD will focus on developing and enhancing diagnostic and sensor technologies for the LIBRTI facility, specifically using single-photon detector technology. 

The project will be based at Heriot-Watt University, in the Quantum Optics and Computational Imaging (https://quantum-optics.site.hw.ac.uk/) and Photonic Instrumentation (https://phi.eps.hw.ac.uk/) groups. It will be jointly supervised by researchers at UKAEA’s facility in Oxfordshire.  This is primarily an experimental research project, incorporating computational components for data analysis and data inversion. Applications are welcomed from candidates with any STEM background who have an interest in experimental physics, sensing technologies, and fusion diagnostics.  The successful candidate will be expected to spend time onsite at the LIBRTI facility, conducting field testing and validation of developed equipment. 

Overview 

This project aims to pioneer quantum sensors based on individual spins in luminescent molecules as a new class of nanoscale probes. 

Background & motivation 

By leveraging principles such as superposition and entanglement, quantum sensors enable magnetic and electric fields, strain and temperature to be detected with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution. Among quantum-sensing platforms, optically readable electronic spins in solid-state systems have shown remarkable promise [1], enabling magnetic-resonance at the nanoscale, and opening impactful applications across biomedicine, materials science, and quantum technologies. To date, defect-based spins in crystals such as diamond have powerfully led the way but face key challenges in their tunability (i.e., tailoring for a specific sensing application) and proximal integration (i.e., coupling to targets with nanoscale spatial precision).  

Quantum sensors from optically interfaced molecular spins 

Housing spins in chemically synthesised molecules offers a compelling pathway to overcome these challenges and open unique opportunities for quantum sensing enabled by: 

• tunability: chemical systems enable atomistic control over spin and optical properties for specific sensing tasks. 

• nanoscale modularity: molecules’ compact (~1 nm) size opens unprecedented proximity to targets such as biological systems. 

• versatility: functionalisation and self-assembly open novel routes for deployment. 

Objectives 
Our work has demonstrated key breakthroughs for molecular spin-based quantum sensing, including effective optical-spin interfaces [Science, 370, 1309 (2020)] [2], room-temperature operation [Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 120801 (2024)] [3], and chemically enhanced spin readout [J. Am. Chem. Soc., 147, 22911 (2025)] [4]. Building on these demonstrations, this PhD project will push the frontier of molecular quantum sensing through unprecedented single-spin capabilities by: 

• Demonstrating measurement and control of single molecular spins for quantum sensing. 

• Exploring how molecular tunability can enhance key quantum-sensing metrics. 

• Developing unique application use cases leveraging molecular advantages. 

Methodology 

You will experimentally investigate candidate molecules using techniques such as: 

• optically detected electron spin resonance; 

• time-correlated single-photon counting; 

• cryogenic scanning confocal microscopy; 

complementing these with simulations of spin- and -optical dynamics, and analysis of structure-function relationships.  

This multidisciplinary work will develop a broad skillset in quantum technologies—including magnetic-resonance based qubit control, quantum optics, molecular-level engineering, and quantum-mechanical simulations—with the overarching goal of opening unprecedented capabilities for nanoscale quantum sensing through a single-spin molecular platform. 

Additional details 
You’ll join the Quantum Optospintronics Group at the University of Glasgow, working in a collaborative, supportive, and interdisciplinary environment—spanning solid-state physics, quantum engineering, and physical chemistry—and with state-of-the art facilities (e.g., for detecting individual electron/nuclear spins).  We have a broad network of national and international collaborators for you to interface with as well as experience generating related intellectual property (with three patent applications related to optically interfaced molecular spins). 

The project seeks to demonstrate the operation of a quantum network node [1,2] based around NPL’s ion microtrap chip device [3-5], the most recent variants of which have been developed in collaboration with Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd. Research will be split to address each technical ingredient required to address this challenge, develop appropriate solutions and quantify their performance independently. Following that, their combined operation will be demonstrated to ensure compatibility with no significant consequences. Ion-photon entanglement will be demonstrated in this system, thus concluding with a blueprint for a reproducible network node for a future multi-node network [6].  

The project will develop network node hardware incorporating the following features. 1) Ion microtrap chip; a latest generation device containing 11 experimental zones to separate out the functions of loading, state preparation, local qubit processing and ion-photon entanglement. 2)  Optically heated oven; containing two atomic species to enable optimum choice of qubit transitions for local operations and for photonic transitions. 3) Optical cavity; miniature assembly located around the packaged ion trap chip, while maintaining sufficient optical access to other zones. 4) Optical system to guide light in and out of the cavity in vacuum, and to stabilise the optical cavity with light that is non-resonant with the atomic system.  

Each aspect will be addressed separately; with a view to more widespread application, technical solutions suited to scalable manufacturing and assembly will be used. Demonstration of ion trapping will be performed using existing infrastructure in NPL’s testbed apparatus. Hardware and measurement techniques for single-photon detection and correlation will be enabled in collaboration with NPL’s photonics research team; a local network of fibres permits access to equipment such as high-efficiency superconducting single-photon detectors. This will enable efficient detection of ion-photon entangled states. 

Principal and immediate outputs of the project will be: 1) Showcase the use of a UK-made scalable ion microtrap in a quantum network node, demonstrating suitability for purpose. 2) A template for a reproducible ion trap network node. 3) A pathway to incorporate local qubit processing in a segmented ion trap array with a network node. Results will also point the route towards a multi-node network of UK ion traps. Furthermore, the research will highlight the activities of our industry collaborators, thus promoting the UK supply chain for scalable quantum computing.

Research at the University of Strathclyde on geomagnetic sensors has resulted in a succession of highly sensitive scalar instruments. The latest of these, exploiting free-induction-decay optically pumped magnetometer (FID-OPM) techniques achieves 200 fT.Hz-1/2 in Earth’s field and is self-calibrating, with instrumental drift below 10 pT over long timescales (10 ks+). As such it is an enabling technology for magnetic survey imaging and measurement of geomagnetic transients at unprecedented levels of resolution. Realising these benefits in practice by development and deployment of a field-portable FID-OPM is now feasible. The PhD research proposed will carry out this development, and, with AWE, quantify new capabilities across a range of key challenges. The project will progress through three interlinked aspects of parallel development on the FID-OPM

–           Hardware design, build and laboratory validation: the FID-OPM can be realised in a field package using microfabricated alkali vapour cells (available at Strathclyde through ongoing development work), chip-scale VCSEL lasers, high-performance analogue electronics for signal acquisition and laser control, and efficient scalable digital signal processing. By contrast with a spin maser OPM, the FID-OPM does not require firmware level FPGA programming, and so the student will, through close working with experts in each of these, build FID-OPM sensors at TRL5/6. Strathclyde’s facilities in optical and magnetic precision testing will allow these devices to be fully characterised in the lab.

–           Fundamental optimisation of the FID-OPM operation mode: FID-OPMs achieve ultra-high accuracy and precision because they exploit precise and controlled state preparation in the alkali sample. This unlocks fundamental physical processes known as light-narrowing, which are the key to the performance of the device. The interplay between these processes, sublevel dynamics and measurement systematics is a rich and valuable field for scientific enquiry, for which the student will, using both the portable devices and laboratory-scale controlled experimentation, complete and publish high-impact academic research on these topics. Deepening understanding on these will also drive development of higher performance in next-gen field devices.

–           Use-case-led demonstration, evaluation and system integration: the FID-OPM is an intentionally disruptive technology and it is not at this point clear which of the use-cases that it can be applied to will benefit most from the accuracy and precision enhancement it offers. Having a fieldable demonstration system offers the great advantage of allowing testing across use cases, and in this the academic team will work closely with technical authorities at AWE in forming meaningful test plans, running field evaluations and developing system requirements and interfaces (such as integration with GPS and non-GPS data registration) from the outset of the project.

Join the forefront of commercial quantum technology research with this groundbreaking PhD project, cofounded by Lumino Technologies, on the development of advanced photonic devices for future quantum networks. Two routes for the project are of interest depending on the candidate; satellite-based transceivers utilising photonic integrated circuits (PICs) or new photon-detector technologies for the short- and mid-infrared. The student would contribute and ultimately lead the design, development, and characterisation of the new technologies with the project team’s wider academic and industrial collaborators. 

Key Objectives: 

1. In-Orbit Measurement Analysis: Utilise active in-orbit satellites to test technologies leveraging the academic team’s optical ground station. 

1. Simulation and Modelling: Further develop our satellite QKD modelling tool (Qrackling) to predict the performance of quantum communication systems under various orbital scenarios. Validate these models with empirical data from in-orbit experiments. 

1. Advanced photonics: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Entanglement Distribution (ED): Design and characterise PICs fabricated (by project partners) for weak-coherent pulse QKD and ED. Design and characterise avalanche photo diodes for quantum and optical communications in the short and mid-infrared. (Candidate profile differentiator)  

1. Technological Integration: Collaborate with leading space agencies and quantum technology companies to validate your project developments. Enhance the optical ground station’s capabilities to support real-time quantum communication experiments. 

1. Innovation and Impact: Contribute to the global effort in establishing a secure quantum communication network. Publish findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences to shape the future of quantum technology.

This project aims to develop novel AI computational imaging methods to enable quantum-level sensing for high-quality vision in challenging conditions.

Single-photon detectors provide exceptional sensitivity and precise timing, making them ideal for 3D LiDAR and low-light imaging. They are uniquely suited for scenarios where conventional cameras struggle, such as underwater environments [1] or scenes obscured by fog, haze, or scattering media. Although recent AI methods have greatly improved classical imaging, they remain poorly adapted to the sparsity, noise, and physics of single-photon measurements.

This project will develop tailored AI solutions that combine statistical modelling with modern machine learning to produce high-resolution, interpretable, and efficient reconstructions from multidimensional single-photon data [2,3]. A particular emphasis will be placed on enabling reliable imaging in extreme environments (such as underwater, through fog, or in other visually degraded conditions) where scattering severely limits conventional vision systems. The student will design algorithms capable of operating in real time, fusing information from passive and active sensors, and leveraging the unique timing precision of single-photon detectors. The goal is to unlock the use of quantum-level sensing for critical applications such as underwater inspection, and autonomous navigation in poor visibility. More precisely, the objectives are:

1. Develop computational imaging AI algorithmsthat deliver high-quality, interpretable, and fast reconstructions from sparse single-photon data using principled, physics-aware AI.
2. Enable robust imaging in extreme environmentsby exploiting single-photon detection for underwater vision, imaging through fog or obscurants, and other degraded-visibility scenarios.

Expected Outcomes

The project will produce a new generation of AI-driven single-photon imaging methods that combine robustness, speed, and interpretability. These advances will significantly expand the practical capabilities of quantum sensing systems for inspection, navigation, and imaging in harsh environments.

Software Needs and Skills:  Statistical signal and Image processing, Bayesian methods, deep learning, optimization.  Python, Matlab.

This CDT project develops a 4H-SiC integrated platform for spin–photon interfaces and on-chip single-photon detection, providing key building blocks for the implementation of scalable
quantum repeaters.

4H-SiC hosts colour centres that act as artificial atoms. These spin-active centres can be created by electron-beam irradiation and annealing. For example, the electron-spin confined in a SiC silicon-vacancy has been demonstrated as a room-temperature, bright dipole-emission qubit, with optical initialisation/readout and microwave coherent control. To bring this system closer to applications, the project addresses the 4H-SiC platform from the points of scalability (deterministic coupling) and device interface (chip-integration with SNSPDs).

The primary supervisor (PS) has an internationally recognised track record in semiconductor cavity QED [1]. The work builds on two funded programmes currently ongoing in the PS’s lab at UofG: (i) high Q/V 4H-SiC nanocavities (Royal Society Fellowship) and (ii) fabrication of 4H-SiC thin-film-on-insulator (EPSRC-PQA).

Scientific Objectives
1. Demonstrate Purcell-enhanced emission of SiC colour centres deterministically coupled to photonic crystal nanocavity (PCN) modes. PCNs designed by in-house developed machine-learning-guided inverse design. Tuning of cavity/emitter emissions by digital etch [2] and in-situ controlled condensation [3] by a specially designed cryostat. Spatial nanopositioning [4]. Spectroscopy by µ-PL, cross-polarisation resonant scattering and photon correlation measurements.

Key Challenges: Precise spatial/spectral alignment of emitters and cavity; spectral diffusion and pure dephasing; yield of high-brightness centres.

Mitigation/contingency: If yield limits progress, deploy shallow-implant arrays to raise coupling probability. Leverage Attocube facilities (cryostat maker) to improve condensation tuning and the
optical nanopositioning implemented in the cryostat.

2. Increase Q/V to access a deterministic strong coupling regime and enable coherent state exchange between a colour centre spin and a cavity photon. Inverse-designed/ML-optimised PCNs with fabrication tolerance-aware objectives.

Key Challenges: Achieving Q > 5×10⁴ in SiC with reproducibility; electron–phonon coupling that reduces effective g; dephasing under resonant drive.

Mitigation/contingency: Leverage in-kind by RENA Technology to improve etching. If single emitter coupling is insufficient, transition to collectively enhanced coupling with small ensembles (boosting effective g as gₑff ≈ g√N), or pivot to a high-Purcell-enhanced regime for fast, high-fidelity spin readout so that O3 can start.

3. Implement on-chip photon routing/demultiplexing co-integrated with SNSPDs, with a path t photon-number resolution, to form an optical quantum interconnect primitive.

Key Challenges: Coupling/insertion losses across interfaces; fabrication tolerances; detector timing jitter/dark counts; cryogenic integration complexity.

Mitigation/contingency: Tolerance-aware ML design embedding fabrication spreads; adiabatic mode converters and critically coupled cavity–nanowire interfaces for near-unity absorption. If on-chip efficiency initially falls short, use hybrid packaging with off-chip SNSPDs and external demultiplexers as an interim step while iterating to full integration.

Outcomes & Training
The project is ambitious yet de-risked through defined mitigations anchored in ongoing, funded programmes. It can deliver SiC building blocks—deterministic single-photon sources, spin-photon
interfaces, and integrated single-photon detection—constituting a chip-level interconnect acting as quantum links. The doctoral researcher will gain end-to-end skills in nanofabrication, spectroscopy, ML-assisted photonic design, cryogenic measurements, nanopositioning, and systems-level integration, aligning them to lead the next generation of scalable quantum hardware

The transmission and processing of information in many quantum computing, comms. and sensing systems rely on the use of photons.  Most state-of-the-art systems demonstrations make use of free-space beam paths and bulk optics components to transport photons between nodes and employ efficient material nonlinearities in crystals to create interactions between them. These systems have been crucial in the demonstration of proof-of-concept experiments, but are not well suited to scaling beyond a few photon-photon path interactions, limited by the size of the components and complexity of their arrangement. 

 By moving to an on-chip environment, the mechanical stability, complexity and yield of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) enables the scaling of these systems by orders of magnitude1.  Nevertheless, there are a number of open challenges that need to be overcome to meet the strict performance requirements of quantum systems in terms of loss, efficiency and operating wavelength range.  In particular, many of the functions required on chip, including non-linear photon interactions or high-efficiency photon generation and detection, require different materials and have been developed at different wavelengths (e.g. high efficiency silicon detectors in the visible and low-loss circuitry and non-linear optics in the IR spectral range). 

 In this project the student will develop a new platform for non-linear photonics on-chip at UV to visible wavelengths.  PIC platforms in Al2O3, and III-N materials will be fabricated in-house in the Technology and Innovation Centre cleanroom to produce PICs with low-loss and high-channel count.  Integration of silicon single photon detectors and non-linear optical resonators with these PICs will be achieved using a custom, nanometre scale accurate, transfer print system developed by our group2.  Through the heterogeneous integration of multiple, micron scale components on-chip, the student will realise photon transmission and processing circuits in mm2 areas that can be deployed in communications, computing and sensing applications3-5.  By advancing this technology into the UV and visible range of the spectrum, the project will provide much needed hardware to interface scalable optics with solid state quantum emitters/memories on-chip, or for scalable beam projection systems for multi-site atom/ion trapping/addressing applications. 

 The student will develop skills in numerical simulation of guided-wave photonics including Finite Difference Time Domain and Eigenmode modelling, to design efficient optical resonators, power-couplers and material-to-material transitions.  The student will be trained in the University Cleanroom labs to translate these designs into photonic chips using state-of-the-art laser lithography and reactive ion etching tools.  They will develop world leading skills in transfer printing integration using the unique toolset at Strathclyde developed by our group, enabling direct pick-and-place of micron-sized optical components onto PICs.  Finally, measurement of the chips will be carried out optical labs hosting advanced laser sources, single-photon detection systems and high-speed metrology equipment.  

 In addition to the CDT training programme, the student will be part of a cohort of researchers at the Institute of Photonics and will be supported in the development of professional skills in research communication, project planning and will have access to regular technical seminars, journal clubs and group social activities.

Can we deliver a Quantum Computer that can perform a trillion operations by 2035? This is the mission we received from the UK’s government 1 year ago. There has been a lot of prototype development of qubit technologies (i.e. semiconductors, superconductors, ions, photonics etc.), however scaling up Qubit numbers to millions is a huge challenge. This is because of the extreme cryogenic conditions required for operating Qubits. This challenge will precisely be addressed by this project, by delivering CMOS-compatible qubits [1-3] operating at higher temperatures [4], something than can significantly relax current scalability constraints.

The vision of this project is to develop and deliver the next generation of Quantum Processors (QP) operating at frequencies well above >100GHz, and thus at temperatures >4K. At the moment, one of the main technical scalability problems of quantum hardware (i.e superconducting and semiconducting) is the limited capacity power of low-temperature instruments. Through this project, we will create on-chip components and qubits that can operate at 4K, temperature that makes qubit scalability easier.

This project aims to address current technical scalability problems by pushing this technology from milli-Kelvin temperatures to 4K, a target that will significantly increase the number of qubits within a QP and additionally reduce the overall cost per qubit, as systems operating at 4K are indeed cheaper to manufacture and operate. Through this project, we will engineer Semiconductor Qubits based on Silicon/Germanium CMOS-compatible platform. The project will involve, extensive nanofabrication at the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and advanced high-frequency THz characterisation of these semiconductor qubits, as well as control integration.

The experimental work, will be complemented by numerical simulations with quantum semiconductor packages, where the PhD candidate can choose to have a 2-month placement at one of my partners in Munich, Nextnano to learn the numerical tools.

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and related materials are nanoscale semiconductor crystals that represent an exciting frontier in solution-processed materials. Their size-tuneable optical properties and unique quantum behaviour make them highly versatile for advanced photonic applications, including solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-speed colour converters for displays and lighting, lasers, and single-photon sources. 

This PhD project builds on recent advances in the synthesis, assembly, and characterization of CQDs organized into supracrystals—hierarchical structures where nanocrystals act as building blocks or “nanobricks.” 1-2 Supracrystals are highly ordered, densely packed assemblies that exhibit emerging collective optical behaviours, including enhanced fluorescence and laser oscillation. Our team has developed emulsion-templated self-assembly processes to fabricate semiconductor supracrystals from the bottom up, successfully demonstrating microlasers produced in this way. In parallel, we are exploring hybrid structures and top-down fabrication methods to expand the design space. 

A key focus of our current efforts is the creation of multifunctional supraparticles (SPs) by blending different types of nanobricks. We are tailoring the geometry and design of SPs, e.g. coupling them to plasmonic structures or upconverting nanoparticles, and engineering their surface chemistry to unlock new functionalities. Recent achievements include SP microlasers functionalized with biomolecular probes, SPs coupled to optical waveguides, and assemblies capable of emitting at multiple wavelengths. Building on this foundation, we are now extending our approach to a broader range of materials and applications. 

The overarching goal of this PhD project is to fabricate and study quantum-dot SPs with superior light emission properties, aiming to advance the state of the art in temporally controlled, ultra-bright microscopic photonic sources. If successful, the outcomes could have significant impact across optical communications, biological and chemical sensing, photocatalysis, and quantum photonics. 

The project will pursue three key objectives: 

Synthesis and characterization of CQDs and supracrystals: The student will develop and refine protocols for synthesizing CQDs and directing their controlled self-assembly into hybrid supracrystals. 

Studies of fluorescence, laser oscillation, and non-classical emission: By carefully designing supracrystals, the researcher will demonstrate fluorescence enhancement and target laser oscillation with reduced thresholds, enabling efficient microscopic laser sources for both classical and quantum applications. 

Investigation of non-toxic CQD materials: To address environmental concerns associated with cadmium- or lead-based CQDs, the project will explore alternative, less toxic materials, assessing whether they can match the performance of conventional systems while contributing to safer, sustainable photonic devices. 

Depending on the candidate’s interests, there will be opportunities to explore applications such as biological and chemical sensing, optical communications, or single-photon sources.3 The student will join the Colloidal Photonics team at the Institute of Photonics, which develops novel technologies for medicine, environmental monitoring, industry, and digital lighting. This interdisciplinary environment will provide a strong foundation for mastering quantum dot synthesis, functionalization, and assembly. 

By leveraging expertise in nanoscale control and material design, this project will push the boundaries of what is possible with colloidal quantum dots, paving the way for more efficient, robust, and scalable photonic devices. 

Can we design a quantum sensor that can detect nearby electromagnetic fields in areas where the electromagnetic forces vanish? The objective of this project is to build a theoretical framework for
atomic sensors based on the Aharonov-Bohm (AB) and Aharonov-Casher (AC) effects [1]. These are geometric effects, where charged particles that traverse along a closed path surrounding the
field accumulate a phase proportional to the enclosed flux. This phase is typically detected interferometrically.

Initial experiments involved electron interferometers [2], but associated effects have been reported for both electric and magnetic dipoles and observed e.g. with neutrons and charge density waves within nano rings [3]. Neutral atoms have previously been used to demonstrate related effects [4], including the AC effect and the gravitational analogue to the AB, detecting electric fields with atoms in superpositions of different electronic states, and gravity with atoms in superpositions of motional states, respectively.

An attractive design for AB based magnetic field sensors could involve the use of different internal atomic states instead of separate external paths as the interferometric mechanism [5, 6]. Instead of enclosing the magnetic field within a closed motional path, here atoms in an internal superposition state would travel along a common path in the vicinity of the external magnetic field [7]. This could generate an effective closed loop, with the associated electric dipoles picking up different geometric phases, resulting in interference between the different internal states which could be read out optically. The PhD student will investigate detailed experimental designs including suitable atomic level structures and read-out mechanisms. They will analyse and optimize the experimental design using analytical and numerical methods based on time-dependent Schrödinger equations and Lindblad master equations, estimate sensitivity targets and consider relevant use cases in close collaboration with AWE.

Research Question: The question to be answered in this project is quite a fundamental one; ‘how do spins precess?’ but with a clear pathway for significant impact in spin-based quantum technologies. This might seem straight forward and even well understood, but our understanding of spin dynamics is largely restricted to steady states (i.e. long timescales). Therefore, understanding the temporal spin dynamics before stabilisation is paramount to realising any successful incorporation of these systems into quantum technologies [1]. Furthermore, for high quality factor magnetic materials, stabilisation happens over hundreds of nanoseconds and many quantum applications require operation rates within (or below) this timeframe. Thus, the discovery and understanding of unknown phenomena within this timeframe could open-up new functionality for quantum and classical technologies that require fast and low latency operations [2].  

Proposed Research, its Importance, and engagement with current research: The field of quantum magnonics focuses on controlling and reading out quanta of collective spin excitations in magnetically ordered systems. Control and manipulation of these quasi-particles, known as magnons, provides opportunities for advancing quantum technologies. For instance, magnon-photon hybridisation as a route to distribute quantum information has become an active topic of research. More recently, entanglement between a superconducting qubit and a magnetic sample has been demonstrated, showing that it is possible to detect a single quantum of magnetic excitation (a single magnon) within the magnet [3]. This entanglement-based single-shot detection of a single magnon using superconducting qubits was not only a giant leap towards magnet-based quantum sensing [4], but also demonstrates an active component of hybrid quantum systems that should find a wide range of applications in quantum technologies. In quantum magnonic devices there is a coupling—or coherent exchange of information—between photon and magnon modes [5]. This coupling, in addition to being able to directly couple to (and exchange information with) third party quantum components is being investigated for the up-conversion of microwave quantum information into optical signals that can be transferred over long distances [6]. The coherent conversion of microwave signals into optical photons could significantly expand our ability to process and communicate quantum states and it would be imperative for quantum-noise-limited microwave electronic components. Perhaps even more exciting, conversion of said information remains one of the key hurdles to creating a quantum internet—which would enable sharing quantum information between quantum computers as we do with current technology [2,7].  

Methodology: This project will draw inspiration from recent efforts in the field of electron spins in semiconductors where research has explored how to shape pulses to take a single spin from a quantum state into another in a controlled fashion, and to control and manipulate several distinct spins in a crystal lattice, for example, to build quantum registers. Therefore, expanding this is imperative to successfully interface spintronic technologies with quantum circuits. For instance, high-amplitude excitations can lead to non-linear dynamics which is analogous to spin qubits but yet to be investigated in magnonic systems. This is, however, crucial for developing effective quantum spintronic technology for information exchange. 

Ultra cold lattice gases, neutral bosonic and fermionic atoms confined in highly controlled optical potentials, are already one of the most successful platforms for analog quantum simulation, capable of outperforming classical computers on a range of tasks related e.g. to the theory of correlated quantum matter. This PhD-project will further deepen the power of this quantum simulation platform. The project will do so by designing novel experiments using tools from quantum many-body theory. This theory will build on recent beyond-state-of-the-art numerical many-body algorithms originating from the supervisor’s group, matrix product states plus mean-field theory (MPS+MF) [1,2,3], as well as massively parallelized density matrix renormalization group numerics (pDMRG) [4]. Utilizing these tools, the successful PhD-applicant will pursue three interlinked cutting-edge objectives:  

1. Design experiments for ultra cold lattice gases to establish these as simulators of non-equilibrium dynamics leading to ordered many-body states above critical temperature (Tc). Dynamically-induced ordering is a growing field, especially in high-Tc superconducting materials [5]. The prospect of obtaining even short-lived superconducting states well above Tc – and possibly close to room temperature – from quenching these materials is driving much experimental activity on high-Tc materials. However, the theoretical understanding of how ordered states above Tc might actually be generated from non-equilibrium dynamics remains rudimentary. This part of the PhD-project will deploy the MPS+MF framework to show in detail as to how ultra cold lattice gases can be turned into quantum simulators for dynamically generated ordering above Tc for three types of many-body states: Bose-Einstein condensates, Mott insulators and superconductors. 

1. Design experiments using ultra cold lattice gases on how to generate analogue states of high-Tc superconductivity in a metastable, mixed-dimensional equilibrium state. With the basic mechanism for high-Tc superconductivity still not understood even in the most simplified single-band models such as the 2D Hubbard- and tJ-models, ultra cold lattice gases have long been pursued as quantum simulators for this phenomenon. However, the magnetic superexchange energies achievable in ultra cold lattice gases were too low to realize such states. The advent of mixed-dimensional metastable states has radically changed this, boosting the possible magnetic superexchange energies to exceed the experimentally feasible temperatures [6]. This part of the PhD-project will utilize the MPS+MF framework to design experiments capable of finally realizing the analogue of a high-Tc superconducting states in ultra cold lattice gases. 

1. Lowering the experimentally achievable entropy in ultra cold lattice gas-based quantum simulators. Quantum simulators based on ultra cold lattice gases work at a fixed entropy per particle. The lower this crucial quantity is, the more useful will this platform be for quantum simulation, such as e.g. for quantum chemistry via variational energy minimization. This part of the PhD-project builds on proposals by the supervisor to lower the entropy per particle by dynamically disentangling two layers in such a way as to shift entropy out of one of the layers, resulting in a low-entropy layer [7]. This part of the project will be about modelling concrete experiments using pDMRG, finding schemes that perform especially well. 

The Wee-g MEMS (MicroElectroMechanicalSensor) gravimeter is a precision accelerometer that has been developed between Physics & Astronomy (Prof. Hammond) and Engineering (Prof. Paul) at the University of Glasgow. The instrument is TRL5 and can be used to detect underground voids with applications in environmental monitoring, civil engineering and defence & security [1-4]. Wee-g uses a novel patented spring [5] to provide a low resonant frequency oscillator.  Support under the National Quantum Technology Programme has enabled a field portable version to be deployed on active volcanoes (3 devices on Etna, Italy and 1 device on Poas, Costa Rica) and in Scotland/Ireland for water table monitoring. 

The team is working towards a spinout opportunity (Quantrologee, which will be incorporated in November 2025) between the Universities of Glasgow (Wee-g) and Strathclyde (magnetometry), to deliver a dual gravity-magnetic sensor [6]. Industrial collaborators over the last 10 years include BP, Metatek, DSTL, QinetiQ, GCHQ and Schlumberger. 

The Wee-g sensor (Fig 1) currently has a sensitivity of 20µGal/√Hz (1Gal=1cm/s2) and a bias stability of 2µGal after 256s, with typical signals of interest at the 10µGal level. The readout currently comprises a capacitive comb arrangement. Improving this sensitivity by an order of magnitude will yield a step change in signal-noise ratio, or it will enable an increase in the resonant frequency of the device thus making it more robust for field deployment. 

This Ph.D. project will develop a new readout for the Wee-g sensor based on interferometry. This is well aligned to the activities of the Institute for Gravitational Research (Hammond is deputy director) which hosts a 10m interferometry and undertakes sub femtometer sensing within its 10m prototype interferometer at both 1064nm and 1550nm. Work also focusses on the development of squeezed light sources to reduce the shot noise at frequencies above 1kHz. 

We propose to deploy a miniaturised interferometer on the Wee-g instrument. We will utilise commercial small form factor lenses and mirrors/beamsplitters that have come onto the market in the last 3 years. This will enable a new type of free-space interferometric readout. The project will further explore injection of squeezed light into the system to further supress shot noise by x2. 

The project timeline comprises the following key activities; 

Yr 1: modelling the interferometric readout, choosing either Michelson or Michelson with Fabry Perot-cavities (trading off dynamic range and sensitivity) 

Yr 1-2: fabrication of a fixed interferometer initially, together with signal-noise analysis. 

Yr 2: fabrication of an interferometer on the Wee-g accelerometer using pick-place tooling to align the optical components. 

Yr 2: testing of the Wee-g interferometric readout 

Yr 3: field trials at a series of well measured Glasgow gravity landmarks (Kelvin Building, bridges, railway tunnels in Botanical Gardens), and deployment to benchmark with DSTL instrument 

Yr 3: injection of squeezed light into the interferometer using the light source at the Glasgow 10m interferometer for bench testing. Observing sub-shot noise performance. 

This project aims to develop compact, chip-scale, energy-efficient hardware modules that form the foundational building blocks of quantum computing network and quantum internet architectures. As quantum computing and quantum communication networks grow in scale and complexity, there is a need for practical quantum networking units capable of operating reliably across heterogeneous platforms. Current implementations are limited by low efficiency, poor interoperability, and challenging scaling constraints. By leveraging advances in superconducting, semiconductor, and hybrid quantum technologies, this project will design and prototype hardware units that deliver enhanced coherence, low-loss signal conversion, and robust integration with existing fibre-optic and free-space links.

Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) play an essential role in modern quantum technologies, being at the backbone of Quantum Key Distribution systems [1]. Besides cryptography, QRNGs find broad applicability in other fields like Monte Carlo simulations, industrial testing, massive data processing, financial industries. A state-of-the-art hardware approach to generate QRNGs is based on measuring laser phase noise, which is a source of quantum randomness from spontaneous emission [2,3]. In these generators, laser diodes are gain-switched with a bias current below threshold in order to obtain a series of pulses with random phases. After passing through an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the pulse-encoded phase noise is converted to random fluctuations of intensity, which can be measured and digitized. This scheme is simple, fast (Gbps) and it has recently been demonstrated in a photonic integrated platform [4].  

However, current QRNGs based on gain-switched lasers are scalar (one laser per channel) and its parallelization keeping the full bandwidth is only possible by equally scaling the number of photonic elements. This PhD studentship will develop a novel approach to QRNG based on the coupling of gain-switched multimode lasers to photonic integrated dynamic billiards. Particularly, the chaotic nature of the wave dynamics in photonic billiards adds an additional physical layer of randomness to the phase encoded in each of the laser’s modes. The combination of photonic billiards with the multimode gain-switched lasers will multiplex the number of extracted random bits per laser pulse. The key advantages of this scheme are its low fabrication cost, compactness, simplicity (coherent detection is not required) and scalability.  

Recently, photonic integrated billiards have been proposed as a hardware platform for machine learning, showing high performance in classification tasks based on the projection of the input information to a high-dimensional phase space enabled by the chaotic light dynamics [5]. Here, a similar machine learning approach will be used to analyse and optimize the randomness of the numbers generated in each output channel. In addition, exploration of different billiard shapes and excitation protocols will be supported by the expertise of the supervisory team on wave chaos theory, which is analogue to quantum chaos [6].  This will push the boundary of knowledge in these systems by analysing optimal regimes of operations at the edge of full chaos, and potentially leading to quantum-inspired machine learning approaches in this platform.

The Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab (EMQL) specialises in the engineering of quantum light sources for applications in terrestrial and satellite quantum networking. Projects are available in quantum light source development (parametric down-conversion or quantum dots), multi-party quantum networking with graph states, and satellite quantum communication. We are part of the Integrated Quantum Networks hub, and the project will benefit from wide-ranging collaborations with academia and industry.

Developments in single-photon detector technologies has opened exciting opportunities for passive and active imaging in extreme conditions (e.g. high-speed, low-illumination regimes), and in particular for imaging in scattering underwater environments [1]. This PhD project aims to investigate novel imaging techniques based on sensor fusion of single-photon detection technologies and classical approaches to improve the resolution, the achievable range, and the speed of current single-photon imaging techniques.

The project will involve hands‑on experimental work and desk-based work, including data analysis and feasibility studies. Therefore, the candidate will develop skills in single‑photon detection, design and construction of experimental optical setups, and programming. The experimental work will also include to plan, prepare, and conduct field‑trials [2].

The candidate will closely collaborate with the single‑photon group at Heriot‑Watt University, who is internationally leading the research in this field. In addition, this PhD will involve working with academic and industrial partners in several fields, including single‑photon detector array design, underwater robotics, and image processing.

Applicants must have or expect to have a first class degree or equivalent in physics or engineering course, and be strongly motivated with the drive required to pursue 3.5 years of intensive practical and theoretical work. The ideal candidate has a good knowledge of optics and photonics and experience in a laboratory environment is expected.

The understanding of complex electronic systems is central to many research fields in modern physics and chemistry, from high-temperature superconductivity to battery design and energy-efficient catalysts. However, simulating fermionic systems of many particles is exponentially difficult because of their quantum nature, which classical computers cannot accurately model. Quantum simulators promise to overcome these challenges by using a well-controlled quantum system iteself. But most future quantum computers, who could run such simulations, are based on qubits, which need to implement the fermionic exchange statistic on a software level with significant overhead in circuit depth and qubit number. The already now limits the quantum simulation of electron problems to much smaller system sizes than comparable simulations of spin systems .  

We are developing a Fermionic Quantum Computer that promises to overcome these problems by digitally simulating electrons via the controlled motion and entanglement of fermionic atoms in an optical lattice. Our digital gates combine the excellent coherence of atoms in optical lattices with the universality of gate-based time evolution and the single-particle resolved readout of quantum microscopes. First tests in this direction report already above 99.7% fidelity for entanglement gates, coherent motions, and successful local manipulation of tunneling dynamics. 

In this project, you will develop, build and test some of the core components of the first fermionic quantum computer by controlling the motion and entanglement of ultracold 6-Li atoms. You will learn how to cool a gas of atoms to a few Nanokelvin using laser cooling, high-power optical traps, and Feshbach resonance. You will also design two types of optical lattices: A millikelvin-deep lattice for loading atoms from a magneto-optical trap and pinning of atoms during single-atom resolved fluorescence imaging. A second bi-chromatic superlattice will allow to generate arrays of symmetric double wells, which serve as the core processing units for the quantum gates. Close collaboration with international experts will be essential to ensure the success of this project. 

This project demands a high level of commitment to long-term experimental development and a strong interest in quantum many-body systems. As you advance the frontier of quantum technology, you will acquire specialized skills in the lab, from single-atom imaging to the control of high-power lasers, and the application of optimal control techniques. The project is part of the EQOP group at the University of Strathclyde, a collaborative environment dedicated to quantum research. 

A picture is worth a thousand words; and in a very real sense, images encoded in the profile of a laser provide a highly efficient method to encrypt and convey information. Vector light beams have spatially-dependent profiles sculpted in their intensity, phase and polarisation simultaneously. These present a particular set of complex images, with advanced generation and detection technology already in place – even for single photons.

In this PhD project you will demonstrate storage and processing of vector light information in a rubidium vapour. You will support shifts between differently coloured images and build a dynamically controlled structured light optical conversion platform –required for a truly high-dimensional quantum network. The PhD will be carried out in the Experimental Quantum Optics and Photonics Group in the Physics Department at the University of Strathclyde.

This project has already generated relatively high-profile publications around a single previous Leverhulme grant (see references), and mainly requires a new student to work on the experiment again as the lasers, SLM, optics and cells already exist. An important possible extension of the project will be to compare behaviour in hot and cold atomic vapours, as an optical fiber links the two neighbouring labs.

Conventional wisdom requires that imaging systems that have high angular resolution must also employ large diameter lenses or mirrors. We have demonstrated how ‘Fourier ptychography’ [1,2] in microscopy enables high resolution imaging to be achieved by combining images recorded from single small lenses or arrays of small independent, low-resolution cameras [3,4] and that such techniques can be extended to phase imaging using quantum correlations [5]. This enables fundamentally new capabilities, such as 3D imaging of large complex biological samples with gigapixel resolution. This capability  of Fourier ptychography is based on a reimagining of the physics of image formation and a transfer of complexity from traditional optics based on glass to computation. This project aims to apply the concepts of classical Fourier ptychography integrated with quantum technologies to demonstrate new capabilities in long-range macroscopic imaging.  Possible applications range through industrial inspection to 3D LiDAR.

The position would suit a student with enthusiasm for combining experimental research with a deep understanding of optical physics and the development and application of computational algorithms.

The research will be conducted in the Imaging Concepts Group at the University of Glasgow in collaboration with an industrial sponsor. The student will have the opportunity to spend periods conducting research within the company.

Join a pioneering research project focused on developing monolithically integrated single photon avalanche detectors (SPAD) coupled with silicon photonic waveguide platforms. SPADs are semiconductor devices that can accurately time the arrival of single photons of light, and they are key to numerous quantum technologies where the properties of photons are used for quantum computation, quantum communication or quantum enhanced sensing [1]. This PhD position is aligned to the UK National Quantum Technology Program’s Phase 3 hubs, Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) [2] and Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation, and Timing (QEPNT) [3]. These hubs are supported by over £100M in industrial backing, offering exceptional opportunities for networking and potential future employment in high-tech industries. 

Why This Research Matters 

This research aims to enable cutting-edge quantum devices. Integrating SPADs with photonic integrated circuits (PICs) can enable highly efficient single photon detection with extremely high timing accuracy, and enable complex optical circuits to be interfaced to these detectors. Such technologies are key for securing communication networks with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a technique that can provide unbreakable encryption for information sent over optical communication links [4]. The establishment of such quantum networks is the central role of the IQN Quantum Technology Hub (https://iqnhub.org/), which your work would be aligned to. The development of a Quantum PIC platform however, would also have applications in scalable quantum computing [5], as well as low-light fluorescence imaging for biomedical diagnostics, chip scale surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for chemical and molecular detection, and quantum enhanced LIDAR applications.  

Research objectives: 

• Develop highly efficient waveguide geometry SPADs based on Si/Ge-on-Si material platforms [6] 

• Engineering low-loss Si3N4 optical couplers to the SPAD and to optical fiber/free space 

Research Training: 

• Device Modelling: You will learn how to design and optimise process flows for integrating SPADs with passive photonic waveguide devices, using advanced simulation tools to enhance performance such as reducing insertion loss, electronic noise and maximising single photon detection efficiency. 

• Advanced Fabrication: Gain hands-on training in fabrication methods such as electron-beam lithography within the state-of-the-art James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/jwnc/). 

• Experimental Characterisation: Training and access to specialised electro-optic laboratories that contain over £2M of equipment for the characterisation of key SPAD and photonic integrated circuit metrics.  

What We Offer 

• Collaboration with industrial partners in the quantum technology ecosystem. 

• Access to world-class facilities and training in advanced simulation, fabrication, and characterisation techniques. 

• Opportunities to publish in high-impact journals and present at leading international conferences. 

• Support for career development in academia or high-tech industries. 

Recent advances in single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cameras, with higher detection efficiencies, fill factors, and pixel densities, have opened new frontiers in fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). FLIM offers a quantitative, motion-robust view into cellular physiology by reporting fluorescence lifetimes rather than intensities, providing intrinsic calibration of molecular states. In cardiac research, this capability is transformative: conventional electrophysiological techniques such as patch clamp or multi-electrode arrays are either invasive, low-throughput, or compromised by motion artifacts, limiting their utility in live, contracting cells. Likewise, conventional FLIM systems are too slow to resolve fast events such as action potentials (APs) or calcium (Ca²⁺) transients—key to understanding excitation-contraction coupling and the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. 

We have recently demonstrated a breakthrough in this space with fluorescence-lifetime optical electrophysiology (FLOE) [1], employing a dual-gated, 500 × 500 SPAD array (SwissSPAD3) [2] to capture lifetime-resolved voltage and calcium signals at 192 frames per second across beating cardiomyocyte monolayers. FLOE enables calibrated mapping of membrane voltage and Ca²⁺ concentrations in contracting cells without pharmacological uncouplers, treating natural movement as meaningful physiological data rather than a confound. This establishes a new paradigm for quantitative, high-speed optical electrophysiology. 

This PhD project will take FLOE to the next level by extending both instrumentation and applications. On the instrumentation side, the doctoral researcher will develop a hybrid photometry system that integrates intensity-based detection via photomultiplier tubes with lifetime-resolved imaging from a SPAD camera. This dual-modality approach will combine the photon efficiency and dynamic range of conventional detectors with the temporal precision of SPADs, pushing towards kilohertz-rate acquisition with picosecond timing. The project will also explore computational approaches (such as temporal cleaning and Poisson-limited lifetime estimation) to enhance resolution and reduce noise. 

On the application side, the student will use this next-generation FLIM platform to interrogate excitation-contraction coupling in both human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and ex-vivo rabbit heart tissue. Using voltage- and calcium-sensitive lifetime dyes, the project will capture absolute AP and Ca²⁺ dynamics across fields of view spanning hundreds of microns, revealing emergent phenomena such as late-phase repolarization. Calibration protocols established in our preliminary work will allow translation of fluorescence lifetime signals into absolute physiological values, enabling rigorous quantitative analysis. 

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with Clyde Biosciences, an industrial partner developing cardiotoxicity assays. By advancing motion-robust, high-throughput optical assays, this work has strong translational potential for cardiotoxicity screening, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery. More broadly, the methodological advances in high-speed FLIM will extend to neuroscience, organoid systems, and mechanobiology, where dynamic processes unfold too rapidly for conventional imaging approaches. 

This PhD will therefore not only deliver a unique optical technology but also establish its biological relevance in one of the most pressing health contexts: cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The student will gain expertise in ultrafast optics, advanced imaging, and quantitative physiology, while contributing to a paradigm shift in how we study excitable systems in their native, contractile state.

Micro-LEDs is a revolutionary form of electronic visual display technology, which is semiconductor-based and utilises very high densities of micron-sized LED pixels. Advanced commercial micro-LED demonstrators now in the public domain include Samsung’s ‘The Wall™’ and Sony’s ‘Crystal LED™’ TVs and virtual and augmented reality headsets being developed by such as Facebook and Microsoft.  

The University of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics is a recognised international pioneer of this technology, which it has developed over the past 25 years. These devices have proven capabilities in application areas well beyond simple display functionality, including optical wireless communications (OWC) networks [1], quantum key distribution (QKD) [2,3], biophotonics, and quantum-level imaging. The attraction of this technology is underpinned by direct interfacing to CMOS electronics [4], operation at very high (Megahertz) frame rates, and data transmission at gigabits/second [5]. 

Recent research has focussed on deep ultraviolet (230-280 nm wavelength) LEDs with up to 800 MHz bandwidth [5,6] which are attractive for terrestrial and space-based optical links for both classical and quantum communications. The research is carried out in collaboration with partners at Fraunhofer UK, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol, and University of Edinburgh, and has been supported through the EPSRC national federated telecommunications hubs and funding from Innovate UK and UK Space Agency. 

This project will design and fabricate bespoke Micro-LEDs tailored to the specific requirements of free-space QKD and high-speed optical wireless transceiver units. The successful applicant will combine advanced research in photonics with underpinning experience in clean-room based microfabrication. They will learn to design the micro-LED device structures and to fully process them from supplied semiconductor wafers, using a suite of advanced processing tools including mask-based and laser lithography, dry etching, micro-transfer printing, metallization and dielectric deposition. They will thus gain valuable experience in advanced semiconductor processing techniques – skills in high demand in academic research and in industrial R&D. The PhD student, advantageously having a background in physics, materials science or electronic engineering, will have access to state-of-the-art clean-room tools and facilities and extensive optical test and measurement facilities, and engage in collaboration with our partners.  

This project is in partnership with Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), the UK’s first Fraunhofer centre, part of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd, which provides professional R&D services to industry. The student will benefit from additional supervision from Fraunhofer CAP staff and exposure to the real-world requirements of commercial applications. We plan for the student to undertake a short placement (~ 1 – 3 months) at Fraunhofer CAP, accessing high-specification test and measurement equipment in their laboratories, and testing the micro-LEDs fabricated in the project for commercially relevant use-cases.

This PhD project will investigate the experimental characterization and optimization of niobium-based superconducting qubits — a promising platform for scalable quantum computing. Superconducting qubits underpin most current quantum computing architectures, and niobium offers distinct advantages through its higher superconducting gap, enabling operation at higher frequencies and moderately elevated temperatures. These properties open a path toward more scalable systems with improved cooling efficiency and greater integration capability. 

Co-funded by Quantcore and the University of Glasgow, the project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of niobium qubit performance under realistic experimental conditions and its interface with Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) electronics for cryogenic qubit control and readout. 

The student will measure and analyse qubit coherence, stability, and noise, using the results to inform the design of improved superconducting circuit architectures optimized for thermal robustness and scalability: 

1. Performance Benchmarking and Statistical Analysis 
   Implement randomized benchmarking and process characterization to quantify qubit and gate fidelities. Statistical models will be developed to capture variability across devices and fabrication runs, helping identify performance bottlenecks. 
2. Temperature Stability and Long-Term Fluctuations 
   Study how coherence times, frequency drift, and relaxation rates vary with temperature, including long-term measurements to reveal slow fluctuations and thermal sensitivities. The work will establish baseline performance metrics for operation above 100 mK, where refrigeration efficiency improves substantially. 
3. Noise Spectroscopy and High-Frequency Operation 
   Using niobium’s high-frequency capability, the student will perform broadband noise spectroscopy to identify decoherence sources such as flux, charge, and photon noise, supporting the development of mitigation strategies for improved stability. 
4. Single-Shot Readout and High-Rate Data Acquisition 
   Develop single-shot readout techniques for rapid qubit characterization using FPGA-based control and acquisition systems. These tools will enable detailed statistical studies of noise and drift across large datasets. 
5. Design Feedback for Next-Generation Circuits 
   Experimental findings will directly inform the design of improved qubit and resonator geometries. Collaboration with Quantcore’s fabrication team will ensure that feedback from measurements translates into practical device enhancements. 

As a possible extension, the project may explore the use of Single Flux Quantum (SFQ) circuits for cryogenic qubit control and readout. SFQ electronics, based on quantized voltage pulses in superconducting materials such as niobium, could provide low-power, low-latency control compatible with the cryogenic environment. Investigations may include assessing pulse fidelity, coupling efficiency, and potential noise backaction on qubits. 

The student will work in both academic and industrial environments, performing cryogenic and microwave measurements at the University of Glasgow and Quantcore laboratories. Training will include quantum measurement, FPGA programming, data analysis, and circuit modelling, complemented by opportunities to present results at international quantum technology conferences. 

The project’s central goal is to enable higher-temperature quantum operation, a key requirement for scaling superconducting processors. Even modest increases in operating temperature can ease cooling demands, allowing more qubits per cryostat and simplifying control integration. The outcomes — a quantitative understanding of niobium qubit performance at elevated temperatures and experimentally guided design improvements — will directly support the development of scalable, energy-efficient superconducting quantum hardware. 

Scalable quantum hardware requires qubits that can be initialised, read out, and manipulated on short timescales with high fidelity. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) meet many of these criteria and, when embedded in microcavities, have shown strong performance for single-qubit control [1]. However, scaling to multi-qubit architectures remains difficult because each nanostructure is slightly different: spectral inhomogeneity and device-to-device variability obstruct deterministic coupling and gate operations between dissimilar qubits. 

This project tackles that bottleneck with a hybrid approach that couples QDs via microcavity exciton-polaritons [2] which are light-matter quasiparticles that combine the agility of photons with the interactions of excitons. By engineering a polariton “information bus” inside a microcavity, we aim to mediate controlled interactions between non-identical QDs, enabling fast, single-shot quantum non-demolition readout of individual spin qubits, universal single-qubit control, and high-fidelity two-qubit phase gates[3-6]. 

The research will span the full pipeline from device conception to quantum operation. We will design and fabricate the hybrid polariton-QD platform, optimise cavity and material parameters for strong, controllable coupling, and characterise the resulting devices using cryogenic microscopy and advanced optical spectroscopy. We will quantify how hybridisation influences qubit properties like coherence, addressability and cross-talk and we will establish protocols for robust gate implementation that tolerate inhomogeneity.  

Finally, we will demonstrate polariton-mediated quantum logic, benchmarking readout speed, gate fidelity, and scalability. Methodologically, the project blends experimental design with modelling and data-driven analysis. It will draw on semiconductor device design and nanofabrication, photonics and cryogenic techniques, and applied quantum information theory to translate microscopic interactions into working quantum functionality. The outcome will be a validated route to scaling QD-based qubits without demanding stringent spectral matching, opening a practical path towards integrated, photonics-ready quantum processors.   

The quantum properties of light are no longer just a curiosity, they’re becoming a tool for technologies that could reshape communication and computing. Projects in entangled communication, networked quantum computing, and precision sensing now allow researchers to shape technologies that could truly transform information science. Yet the field continues to struggle with a familiar problem: how to make entangled photon pairs efficiently at telecom wavelengths [1]. 

Silicon nitride (SiN) waveguides have emerged as a reliable platform in quantum photonics. They are compatible with standard semiconductor manufacturing, exhibit broad optical transparency, and, unlike silicon, avoid issues with two-photon absorption. However, the material’s intrinsic nonlinearity is relatively weak, which limits both the efficiency and tunability of photon-pair generation [2]. This limitation has nudged researchers to look toward materials that can do what SiN cannot. 

Two-dimensional semiconductors like monolayer WSe₂ offer a promising alternative. They display remarkably strong excitonic nonlinearities orders of magnitude larger than typical dielectric materials which, according to theoretical estimates, could enhance spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) and improve the efficiency of entangled-photon generation [3]. These atomically thin layers are highly delicate any misplaced flake, residual contamination, or uneven interface can seriously affect performance [4]. So far, most studies have only explored single-photon emission or simple waveguide coupling, leaving a complete hybrid system with both enhanced nonlinearity and active control unexplored. 

This PhD project focuses on exploring how a carefully designed SiN- WSe₂ platform can improve nonlinear light generation while staying compatible with larger photonic circuits. The aim is not to reinvent quantum photonics, but to demonstrate that design choices such as dispersion engineering, material encapsulation, and electrical tuning can address a key challenge in the field. 

PhD Timeline and Phases: 

Year 1 – Simulation and Design: Focus on waveguide geometry and dispersion near 1550 nm using Lumerical and COMSOL, tweaking layer thickness, width, and cladding to optimize mode confinement. Some trade-offs between enhancement and loss are expected. Attend seminars, workshops, and possibly an international conference to present preliminary results. Deliverables: optimized designs and simulation reports with initial assessments. 

Year 2 – Fabrication: Move into the lab to deposit, pattern, and etch Si₃N₄ waveguides. Hands-on cleanroom work and cross-lab collaboration will be key. Deliverables: hybrid SiN–WSe₂ devices, successful monolayer transfer, and process documentation. 

Year 3 – Characterization: Test devices under pulsed laser excitation to measure insertion loss, photon-pair generation, CAR, and heralding efficiency. Expect surprises that may require revisiting simulations. Deliverables: performance metrics, Joint Spectral Intensity JSI maps, and updated guidance. Publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. 

Year 4 – Integration: Assemble devices into an on-chip system and test coupling, stability, and feasibility for quantum photonics. Present at conferences and prepare manuscripts. Deliverables: fully integrated entangled-photon source, system-level results, and final thesis chapters, with potential collaborative publications. 

Can we teach an AI Scientist to engineer Hamiltonians in real materials—by stacking and twisting single sheets of atoms—until a target strongly correlated phase emerges on demand? This PhD aims to integrate “intelligence” into our autonomous 2D-material fabrication pipeline with in-situ optical metrology to plan, assemble, and verify programmable quantum materials and devices, enabling fundamental discoveries about emergent quantum states. 

The project. Twisting and stacking van der Waals monolayers produces moiré superlattices with flat electronic bands and strongly correlated phases. By controlling twist angle, displacement fields, strain, and dielectric environment, we can effectively engineer the many-body Hamiltonian—tuning hopping, interaction strengths, and symmetry-breaking terms. This controllability underpins phenomena from correlated insulators to unconventional superconductivity and magnetism, but demands precise, reproducible fabrication with tight angle control and clean interfaces. The parameter space is enormous, creating a natural role for AI to automate experiments, improve material/device quality, and accelerate data analysis and interpretation. 

Training and skills you will gain: 

• Machine vision & AI: extend detection/segmentation pipelines (Python/OpenCV/PyTorch) and train decision/policy models to plan and adapt assembly steps in real time. 

• Optical spectroscopy & metrology: PL and reflectivity for material ID and interface quality; second-harmonic generation for twist/orientation; low-temperature magneto-optical spectroscopy for Hamiltonian-level readout of minibands, interactions, and symmetry breaking. 

• 2D device fabrication: autonomous pickup/release, twist/strain setting, contamination avoidance; electrical/optoelectrical validation where appropriate. 

• Cryogenics: cryostat operation, wiring, alignment etc to characterise emergent states at low temperature. 

• Quantum materials foundations: connect process variables to miniband structure and correlated phases; practice reproducible research engineering (structured logging, digital twins, versioned data/code) and engage in collaborative/industrial environments via project partners. 

This PhD project focuses on developing integrated quantum light sources that generate entangled or correlated photons for emerging quantum networking, sensing and computing technologies. Based at the University of Strathclyde and supported by the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), you will work at the intersection of experimental physics and real-world engineering, contributing to integrated optical sources with genuine routes toward deployment.

You will investigate platforms that exploit nonlinear optical processes to create tailored quantum states of light. These sources will be designed to achieve high pair-generation rates, narrow bandwidths suitable for interfacing with quantum memories, and robust, stable operation suitable for field applications.

The work is primarily experimental, involving photonic devices and advanced optical measurement platforms. You will design and assemble optical testbeds, interface with fabricated chips, and characterise quantum correlations, heralding efficiencies and photon interference. There will also be room to develop models of nonlinear processes, dispersion engineering and device performance. As the project progresses, you may explore areas such as spectral shaping, quantum frequency conversion, or linking sources to external platforms including quantum memories or early-stage network demonstrators.

You will join a collaborative and supportive research environment with the freedom to influence the direction of your work while contributing to broader group activity in quantum photonics. Through Fraunhofer CAP, you will engage with industrial partners developing quantum key distribution hardware, network infrastructure and space-qualified optical systems. These connections ensure exposure to real-world constraints including footprint, environmental stability, manufacturability and telecoms compatibility, while keeping your research aligned with practical needs.

This opportunity suits a student who enjoys hands-on optical experimentation and wants to help move quantum photonics from the lab towards deployment. Experience with lasers, integrated optics or quantum measurements is helpful but not essential. Curiosity, precision and enthusiasm for solving experimental challenges are what matter most.

The project will be built around the integration of micro-fabricated diffractive optics and micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) vapour cells to exploit the scalability and magnetic sensitivity of coherent population trapping (CPT) in thermal atomic vapours. While single beam CPT provides scalar measurement along the axis of the beam, all-optical vectorisation of the magnetic field will be extracted from a single incident beam and diffractive optical element to simultaneously interrogate the ensemble along the three cartesian axes.  

The construction of this system at Strathclyde will be built upon the micro-fabrication and sensor development work of Dr McGilligan, strengthen by the magnetometry and field-deployable sensor expertise of Dr Ingleby. Furthermore, the coupling of this work with BGS will provide expert guidance, measurement validation and sensor testing. Comparison to observatory-level science instruments at Eskdalemuir (Scotland), including absolute magnetometers for space weather and induction coils for lightning detection. 

Inverse design reverses the traditional design paradigm: instead of predicting the behaviour of a given system, it automatically creates a system that yields a desired target response. The goal of this PhD is to apply this principle to the design of next-generation quantum technologies. By combining cutting-edge optimisation algorithms with uniquely quantum effects, the project aims to accelerate the discovery and development of high-performance quantum devices with tailored functionality. 

Quantum technologies rely on precise control of quantum states in materials and engineered structures. Achieving long coherence times, robust entanglement, or tuneable quantum interactions often requires fine-tuning many physical parameters simultaneously. Traditional design approaches, which rely on intuition and trial-and-error exploration, are increasingly limited in navigating such complex, high-dimensional parameter spaces. Inverse design (see, e.g. [1,2]) provides a powerful alternative: by specifying a target quantum performance metric, efficient algorithms based on (for example) the adjoint method can “grow” an optimal structure or material configuration that realises it. 

This PhD will develop and apply computational frameworks that integrate quantum mechanical models with state-of-the-art optimisation techniques, building on previous high-profile work by the supervisory team [3]. Possible approaches include gradient-based inverse design using adjoint methods, Bayesian optimisation, and generative models capable of proposing entirely new classes of quantum materials or device architectures. The research will explore how these methods can be combined with realistic quantum descriptions of the real world (by, e.g., an open quantum systems approach) to ensure that designed systems are physically feasible and experimentally relevant. 

A key objective will be to autonomously propose materials and geometries that exhibit specific quantum behaviours, such as enhanced coherence, robust entanglement, or strong collective effects in photonic or solid-state systems. The project may focus on one or more quantum platforms, for example superconducting qubits, spin defects, or nanophotonic structures, depending on the candidate’s interests and available collaborations. There will be opportunities to interface with experimental groups to validate the predictions and to refine the inverse design algorithms based on experimental feedback. 

The candidate will develop expertise in quantum theory, computational physics and quantum devices. The project will involve designing, implementing, and testing inverse design pipelines that combine physical accuracy with computational efficiency. By embedding physical constraints [4] and quantum mechanical insight into optimisation algorithms [5], the research will aim to create interpretable and generalisable design tools. 

Expected outcomes include the development of new inverse design methods tailored to quantum technologies, open-source computational tools for quantum device optimisation, and design blueprints for materials or structures with boosted quantum performance. The research will contribute to the broader goal of making quantum device engineering more automated, efficient, and predictive. 

Applicants should have a strong background in physics, materials science, or engineering, and an interest in computational methods or machine learning. Familiarity with quantum mechanics and numerical simulation are a must. The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of quantum physics, artificial intelligence, and materials design, contributing to the foundations of future quantum technologies.

This research project aims to improve brain imaging techniques by addressing limitations in current methods like fMRI and fNIRS. While fMRI offers high-resolution imaging, it is expensive and inaccessible in many regions. fNIRS, a more portable optical method, suffers from poor spatial resolution and limited depth penetration.
To overcome these challenges, the project will explore diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and advanced imaging techniques such as single-pixel and ghost imaging. It will also integrate data from optically pumped magnetometers used in magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG), in collaboration with experts from the University of Nottingham and Cerca Magnetics.
The research will focus on fundamental studies of light transport through biological tissue and resolution enhancement, supported by a strong network of collaborators and supervisors. The project contributes to the development of quantum technologies for impactful biomedical applications.

This project will investigate the microstructural mechanisms that enable quantum sensing and photon emission in gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃). Ga₂O₃ is a highly promising wide-bandgap semiconductor for advanced optoelectronic, power electronics, and quantum applications [1]. Its ultra-high sensitivity in the deep ultraviolet (UV) region [2] makes it ideal for single-photon detection, and recent studies demonstrate that it can host room-temperature single-photon emitters [3, 4] – key features for future quantum systems.

Despite these advantages, the fundamental mechanisms behind these properties remain poorly understood, limiting efforts to optimise Ga₂O₃ for quantum technologies. This project will address that gap by exploring how crystallographic defects and impurities govern the material’s optical and electronic behaviour within real device architectures.

The student will work on Ga₂O₃-based UV sensors provided by NextGO Epi and other academic collaborators, employing advanced characterisation techniques to link microstructure to performance. These include electron microscopy to probe nanoscale structure, luminescence and chemistry, photoluminescence to study emission properties, and photoconduction to assess charge transport and device sensitivity. By correlating structural and functional data from actual devices, the project aims to build a comprehensive understanding of how microstructure drives quantum phenomena in Ga₂O₃. This device-centric approach ensures that findings are relevant to practical applications.

The outcomes will provide critical insights for designing next-generation materials and device architectures for quantum sensing and communication. Beyond advancing fundamental science, the results will inform industrial strategies for material growth and fabrication, accelerating the deployment of Ga₂O₃-based systems in real-world quantum technologies.

Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) are a key technology in the detection of light and the coupling between electrical and optical systems. Their design has developed rapidly in the past 20 years, leading them to become commonplace in consumer technology such as LIDAR, Time-of-Flight (ToF) Sensing and optical communication. They can detect low energy signals (as low as a singular photon) with great temporal accuracy (on the order of 10-10 seconds and better). 

The STMicroelectronics Imaging Division, in Edinburgh, designs imaging and sensing products in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology for a wide range of markets. The SPAD Pixel Team, embedded within this division, works with the Research and Development team in the manufacturing organisation on the definition and development of SPAD technology, using the group’s expertise in design and characterization to achieve this. The main function of the team is to provide device design to support the technology development.  

The team are currently working on making SPADs faster, smaller and cheaper. This is done while maintaining the device’s quality by ensuring Figures of Merit (FoM) such as Afterpulsing, Jitter, Dark Count Rate (DCR) are kept to an appropriate level. As there is no definitive ‘best’ design for a SPAD, the pixel team trials many new designs. To be able to develop SPAD technology and see which designs operate optimally, it is imperative to fully simulate any new device before putting it into production at ST’s fabrication facilities so that its operation can be fully understood. Designs with unwanted characteristics can be discarded and other potential problems that may arise as a result of a design can be fixed before being fabricated, saving silicon cycles and hence money. 

This project will aim to validate ST’s current simulation tools and improve them, resulting in the pixel team having a tool that is closer to being fully predictive. This will be done by analysing characterisation results and comparing them with extracted FoM’s from the current simulations. The simulation tools will then be developed and improved using these comparisons. The project also aims to use the simulation tools to identify relationships between design parameters and resulting FoM’s, which in the future may help guide SPAD design decisions. 

The aims and the objectives are:  

• To validate and improve the current simulation tools used by the STMicroelectronic (ST)’s pixel team for Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD) devices by comparing simulation results with characterization results, using the outcomes to feed into the improvement and development of the simulation tools, with the overall aim of making the tools fully predictive of device performance prior to manufacturing, hence reducing development costs for ST. 

• To use ST’s simulation tools to identify relationships between SPAD design parameters and resulting Figures of Merit (FoM), which in the future may help guide design decisions. 

• To become familiar with the TCAD tools used in optical device & SPAD simulation and have a greater understanding of the simulation process to be able to improve the tools. 

The brain excels at detecting and processing multiple events rapidly and efficiently to generate appropriate responses. Inspired by this capability, neuromorphic (brain-like) technologies are attracting growing research interest for sensing and in-sensor information processing. Whilst most existing neuromorphic systems still rely on classical digital electronics, photonic approaches are emerging as powerful alternatives due to their inherent advantages, including ultrafast operation, energy efficiency, low crosstalk, high bandwidth, parallelism, and efficient optical communications1,2. 

This PhD Studentship will investigate transformative photonic–electronic systems that exploit resonant quantum tunnelling (QT) effects in opto-electronic devices to enable light-powered neuromorphic sensing and in-sensor processing platforms. These systems will combine ultrafast, low-power operation with low SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) potential and operate at key telecommunication wavelengths (850, 1310, 1550nm) to ensure full compatibility with existing fibre-optic and wireless optical communication and sensor networks. 

The research will focus on optoelectronic devices such as photo-detecting resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs)3-5 and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs)6, designed with custom epitaxial layer structures to achieve controllable resonant QT behaviour at room temperatures. These devices will function as artificial photonic–electronic spiking neurons, generating neural-like excitable spikes in response to optical and/or electrical stimuli—mimicking biological neurons but operating up to seven orders of magnitude faster3-6. Their unique dynamics arise from negative differential resistance (NDR) regions in their current–voltage characteristics, produced by QT effects in their structures, which in turn enable controllable nonlinear spiking regimes triggered by optical or electrical perturbations at infrared wavelengths3-6. 

Building on these principles, the project will design, fabricate, and characterise neuromorphic photonic–electronic sensing systems capable of converting optical and electrical events into spike-encoded signals at ultrahigh speeds. These systems will represent the first generation of event-based, spike-enabled photonic–electronic technologies for advanced sensing and in-sensor processing applications. 

The developed photonic-electronic devices will be integrated with fibre-optic sensing infrastructures, including platforms based upon Fibre Bragg Gratings (FBGs) and Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS), using widely deployed fibre-optic telecom networks. This integration will enable fast (nanosecond speeds) and energy-efficient event-based interrogator systems capable of detecting and classifying optical, electrical, and acoustic events (e.g., strain, temperature, turbulence, or RF/audio signals) through their characteristic spike patterns. The systems will also support ultrafast optical communication of event signals to remote receivers via optical wireless or fibre links, opening new possibilities for infrastructure monitoring, fault detection, and security applications. 

Practical implementations of this neuromorphic, quantum-enabled photonic–electronic technology will be explored in collaboration with industrial partner Fraunhofer UK, which co-funds this studentship (50%) and provides expertise in fibre-optic and light-enabled sensing technologies. Application areas include energy (e.g., wind farm monitoring), security (e.g., RF/audio detection), and manufacturing (e.g., remote strain, pressure, and temperature sensing). 

Finally, the project will also develop neuromorphic algorithms to support the operation and training of the spike-based photonic-electronic sensing systems of the programme7,8. This interdisciplinary research, bridging photonics, quantum tunnelling structures, sensing systems, and neuromorphic technologies, will deliver a new class of ultrafast, energy-efficient photonic sensing and in-sensor processing platforms for remote sensing, smart networks, and edge-computing applications. 

Nonlinear optics provides the fundamental processes that enable the generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states of light. Among these processes, frequency conversion plays a central role because it allows quantum information encoded in photons to be transferred between different spectral regions without loss of coherence [1-2]. The NZI Quantum project aims to demonstrate single-photon frequency conversion at telecom wavelengths by exploiting the exceptional nonlinear properties of near-zero-index (NZI) conductive-oxide thin films. 

In conventional media, frequency conversion at the single-photon level requires high pump intensities and long interaction lengths, which severely limit integration and scalability. NZI materials, characterised by an extremely small refractive index and a giant effective nonlinear response, provide a new route to achieving strong nonlinear coupling within deeply sub-wavelength volumes and at significantly lower power levels [3-6]. By optically pumping these materials close to their zero-index regime, it becomes possible to tailor the local electromagnetic density of states and to enhance light–matter interaction far beyond what is accessible in standard dielectrics or semiconductors. 

The project will experimentally investigate this mechanism using thin NZI films integrated on planar substrates and will develop a quantum-optical model describing the conversion dynamics under realistic non-perturbative conditions. Emphasis will be placed on quantifying conversion efficiency, spectral tunability, and noise suppression at the single-photon level. The combination of experimental demonstration and theoretical modelling will establish clear performance benchmarks for NZI-based quantum frequency converters and define the material and design parameters required for scalable implementation. 

By integrating advanced material growth, ultrafast optical characterisation, and quantum-optical detection, NZI Quantum will lay the groundwork for a new class of compact, energy-efficient quantum photonic interfaces that can bridge different communication bands. The resulting technology would directly impact the development of large-scale quantum communication networks and quantum processors by enabling seamless spectral connectivity between otherwise incompatible components. 

This project is an excellent match with the goals of the Applied Quantum Technologies CDT, as it clearly aims to connect foundational quantum science with real-world applications. Accurate time and frequency dissemination underpin nearly every quantum technology, from quantum clocks and sensors to synchronised quantum networks. Developing robust methods for optical transfer of time and frequency references addresses one of the CDT’s central themes: enabling scalable, deployable quantum systems supported by a national metrology infrastructure. 

The project builds upon the UK’s leadership in precision measurement through the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the National Timing Centre and aligns with the strategic objectives of the UK NQTP through engagement with the QuSIT and QEPNT Hubs. It will provide an essential link between laboratory-based frequency standards and applied systems operating in the field — from fundamental physics experiments to commercial quantum communication trials. 

Through the CDT, the student will receive comprehensive training in optical metrology, laser stabilisation, feedback control, and photonics, along with opportunities for close collaboration with NPL and industrial partners developing timing and sensing technologies. The project offers a strong platform for interdisciplinary development, combining optics, atmospheric physics, and control systems engineering. 

Beyond its technical goals, the work supports the CDT’s broader mission of translating quantum science into usable technology. By developing compact, resilient, and traceable optical timing links, the research contributes to future infrastructures for distributed quantum sensing, coordinated telescope arrays, and national timing resilience, positioning the UK at the forefront of time–frequency dissemination technology. 

Students will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation, collaborate with leading national labs, and contribute to innovations that underpin next-generation timing systems for space, telecommunications, and quantum sensing. The project offers opportunities for high-impact publications, conference presentations, and interdisciplinary training—making it an exceptional platform for a future career in quantum technologies. 

Graduates from this project will be highly sought after in both academia and industry for their expertise in precision measurement, optics, and control systems. The work on optical metrology and time & frequency standards opens career opportunities in academia, national labs, and at national metrology institutes, such as NPL. The expertise gained is also directly applicable to the growing quantum technology and photonics industries, particularly in precision timing, navigation, and communication systems, and for aerospace and defence sectors that are working on radar synchronisation, satellite time transfer, or high-stability reference systems. 

The project’s combination of fundamental physics and practical engineering ensures that the graduate will emerge as a highly capable experimental physicist and systems engineer, well-equipped to lead innovations in precision timing and applied quantum technologies. 

 The supervisor holds a joint appointment at NPL and the University of Strathclyde. The candidate will be supported in working directly with NPL throughout the project. 

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect in diamond is an optically-active colour centre that shows much promise for all-optical sensing. Its ground state is a spin-triplet that has been investigated as a potential qubit. The interaction of the system with the environment also allows detection of magnetic fields and, through the frequency shift of a microwave-frequency spin-resonance, temperature. Current measurements use pulsed control of the spin state of the NV centre to enact rephasing of the spin, allowing decoupling of the system from environmental noise while retaining sensitivity to the parameters being measured. 

 In addition, even when embedded in nanodiamond (typically diamond particles smaller than a few hundred nanometres), the NV centre retains the ability to be used as an effective sensor. Diamond is biologically inert, yet can be functionalised through surface chemistry modifications to target structures of interest within cells.  Nanodiamond therefore offers an exciting route to all-optical, sub-cellular detection of biological activity. 

Many biological processes of interest to a wide range of researchers involve local thermal effects (both endothermic and exothermic); sub-cellular temperature sensing offers a powerful way to infer the activity of cells undergoing numerous processes. However, measurement of cell temperature with the required accuracy to monitor dynamic cellular processes in living cells is an unsolved problem; NV centres offer themselves as a uniquely promising technology solution to this problem. Furthermore, when performing thermometry with NV centres, there are effective ways to decouple the sensor from sources of noise within the system of interest. Excitingly, this approach also enables correlated thermometry / magnetometry with the same setup and samples.  

While NV centres are perhaps better known for magnetometry applications, sensitivity to noise-generating processes within cells poses significant engineering challenges. Initial results demonstrate that passivation of the external surface of the ND, with long chain organic molecules or a silica coating, offers a way to retain sensitivity while also reducing local noise effects.  

We feel that specialising on sub-cellular thermometry will offer a significant benefit to the training of the students in this project – they can quickly apply and develop quantum sensing techniques to biologically relevant questions. This also allows the student to come from a wider range of scientific backgrounds. 

With this project, we propose to build on our existing expertise with NV sensing to further develop the use of nanodiamond as a sub-cellular thermometer for applications in biological imaging. 

The student will initially implement existing passivation approaches, allowing them to gain key skills in nanodiamond surface modification and, by validating the passivation, in quantum-enhanced sensing. Having gained these skills, a student-led approach will further develop surface functionalization with the aims of targeting specific sub-cellular structures and/or using active surface chemistry to modify the nanodiamond sensitivity to local chemical environment. Both approaches will open new routes to quantum-enhanced sensing in biology. 

 An existing, low-cost widefield NV sensing system will be expanded to allow investigation of biological systems while incorporating state of the art pulsed microwave techniques to improve sensitivity and reject noise. Anticipated systems of interest include mitochondrial activity within cells and the impact of photosynthesis on the local thermal environment within a cell. 

Colloidal perovskite nanocrystals (NCs, specks of semiconductor materials) represent an exciting frontier in solution-processed materials due to their size-tunable optical properties and unique quantum behaviour. These properties make perovskite nanocrystals ideal for a wide range of advanced photonic applications, including solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), high-speed colour converters, and laser technologies. A particularly intriguing area of recent research in this field has been the demonstration of superfluorescence from assemblies of perovskite quantum dots (PQDs).¹

Superfluorescence, a quantum collective phenomenon, occurs when excitons (electron-hole pairs within the nanocrystals) align and emit light in phase, creating a coherent burst of intense light.¹ We hypothesise that this collective effect also enhances the emission cross-section, allowing for more efficient laser devices even in the case of fast dephasing, with potential for significantly improved performance in both classical and quantum photonics.¹

Building on recent advances,^2,3 this research project will focus on the synthesis, assembly, and characterization of perovskite nanocrystals organized into supracrystals, hierarchical structures where the nanocrystals act as “nanobricks.” These supracrystals are highly ordered, densely packed assemblies that allow to investigate and exploit collective optical behaviours, such as superfluorescence and laser oscillation.^{1, 4} The overarching goal of the project is to fabricate and study these supracrystals to achieve superior light emission properties, reducing laser threshold requirements and advancing the state-of-the-art for fast, ultra-bright photonic sources. If successful, the project outcomes could benefit applications in optical communications, nanoscale sensing, and quantum photonics for next-generation computing and precision metrology.

Key objectives for this project include:

• Synthesis and characterization of perovskite nanocrystals and supracrystals: the student will develop and refine protocols for synthesizing perovskite quantum dots, followed by their controlled self-assembly into supracrystals.
• Demonstrating superfluorescence and laser oscillation: by carefully characterizing the photophysical properties of these supracrystals, the project aims to achieve superfluorescence and explore its enhancement via the cavity effect of a supracrystal. Laser oscillation will also be targeted, with a focus on achieving lower emission thresholds to facilitate highly efficient laser sources suitable for both classical and quantum optical applications.
• Investigating lead-free perovskite alternatives: to address environmental concerns associated with traditional lead-based perovskites, the project will explore the synthesis and integration of lead-free perovskite materials, such as CsCuX₃ (X = halide). This aspect will examine whether these materials can match the performance metrics of their lead-based counterparts, contributing to the development of safer, sustainable photonic devices.

The student will work within two research groups at Strathclyde (the Colloidal Photonics team at the Institute of Photonics and the Smart Materials Research Device Technology (SMaRDT) group in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry) specializing in the synthesis of perovskite materials, quantum dots, and the photonics of supraparticle/supracrystals structures. This will provide a strong interdisciplinary foundation, enabling fine control over nanocrystal properties and assembly techniques. Leveraging expertise in material functionalization and nanoscale control, the project will push the boundaries of what is possible with perovskite supracrystals, paving the way for more efficient, robust, and scalable photonic devices.

Ultimately, this project will contribute to the broader effort of advancing perovskite-based technologies for next-generation photonic and quantum applications.

Join a transformative research project to overcome the challenges of miniaturising quantum sensors by integrating atomic systems with photonic integrated circuits (PICs). This PhD position aligns with the UK National Quantum Technology Program, contributing to the Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation, and Timing (QEPNT) hub. The QEPNT Hub brings together leading academic partners from Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Imperial, Loughborough, Queen’s Belfast, and Strathclyde, alongside NPL and over 30 UK companies, creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and collaboration. 

Why This Research Matters 

The UK government’s Blackett review revealed the nation’s critical reliance on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) for essential services, including electricity distribution, telecommunications, financial systems, and transportation. Disruption of GNSS signals, whether through jamming or spoofing, could result in a £1Bn/day economic impact. 

In response, the UK has established a Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Task Force and added PNT vulnerabilities to its national risk register. A key recommendation is that critical national infrastructure should have technology capable of providing holdover time in the event of GNSS signal loss. 

Current technology, such as atomic clocks, are too bulky, expensive, and fragile to be used for these applications. Developing next-generation chip-scale atomic clocks with integrated photonic circuits with significantly improved performance that meet UK national objectives is the goal of the PhD. 

Research Objectives: 

• Device Modelling:  Design silicon-based waveguide components for integrating atomic systems. Receive training on the leading commercial electromagnetic solvers leveraging innovative methods such as inverse photonic design optimisation to achieve compact, high-performance devices. 
• Advanced Fabrication: Gain hands-on training in the state-of-the-art James Watt Nanofabrication Centre. This facility houses over £40M of equipment, such as electron-beam lithography, and operates pseudo-industrially. 
• Experimental Characterisation: Training and access to specialised laboratories that contain over £4M of equipment for characterising atomic and photonic integrated circuit devices, ensuring they meet key performance metrics for real-world applications. 

This project will use photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to miniaturise the trapping of cold atoms that can be used for building sensors including atomic clocks, accelerometers and gyroscopes. Cold atom sensors have been demonstrated in laboratories and a few commercially systems. The laboratory systems take up large optics benches and the commercial systems are typically at least 2 washing machines in size. End users state they need far smaller cold atom sensors if they are to be deployed so this project has the aim of develop reduced size, weight, power and cost cold atom sensors. Glasgow has been one of the global pioneers in miniaturising quantum systems onto chip-scale systems. 

The work will use and develop the silicon-nitride photonic technology platform available in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow. The platform already consists of low loss waveguides at atomic wavelengths (~780 nm)[1], high-Q microring resonators [1], polarisation rotators [2], polarising beamsplitters [2], narrow linewidth lasers [3], phased grating arrays [4] and MEMS vapour cells [5]. The project will develop PICs using red and blue detuned light from atomic transitions to trap, control and guide cold atoms in the evanescent tail of the optical mode close to the waveguide. 

The work will include training to use commercial photonic and process design tools including Lumerical and Synopsys which are key to enable students to work in industry in the future. Students will fabricate chips in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) beside industrial engineers undertaking commercial work. JWNC is the UK university cleanroom with the highest funding from both UKRI and industry with a global reputation in nanofabrication. No previous cleanroom experience is required and students will be fully trained to use all the equipment in the cleanroom. 

Completed chips will be characterised in laboratories including some of the best equipped high frequency and photonics measurement laboratories in the UK. The work is also aligned to the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing and students will be able to attend all the Hub scientific, social and community events many with industry and Government. They will also undertake Quantum Hub skills training in EDI, communications, media, outreach, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, pitching and career building. Finally students will be able to present their work at the major international conferences around the world. 

There is a substantial body of knowledge about the theoretical capabilities of quantum algorithms, given ideal quantum computers, but this is quite far removed from what is needed to run on real quantum computers being built today. Collaborating with computational scientists to understand what their applications do is a key aspect of the project. This includes teams of academics and postdocs who are working on applications to fluid simulations (from weather forecasting to fusion) and materials simulations, and across the whole spectrum of scientific and engineering computing in the UK through the CCP-QC https://ccp-qc.ac.uk/ (Collaborative Computational Projects) network. You will be able to test your ideas on real quantum computers, and there is plenty of scope for choosing which aspects of the research you are most interested in.

This PhD project aims to develop molecular spin-based quantum biosensors—nanoscale probes that use optical detection of quantum spin states to sense biochemical changes with exceptional sensitivity. 

Quantum biosensors are transforming medical diagnostics by harnessing quantum phenomena to detect biomarkers and disease-related indicators with greater sensitivity and specificity than conventional methods [1]. Spin-based quantum sensors use optical readout of spin states to measure magnetic fields, temperature, and strain down to the single-molecule level. 

Current state-of-the-art biosensing platforms rely on solid-state defects like nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond, which have demonstrated powerful capabilities including nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging. However, these systems face critical limitations: their properties are constrained by the host crystal, and integration with biological targets is hindered by the rigid matrix. 

This project explores molecular quantum sensors as a highly tuneable and adaptable alternative. This approach combines principles from fluorescence microscopy and magnetic resonance, and their molecular nature allows integration into biological environments using established bioconjugation techniques such as click chemistry. This allows precise targeting and close proximity to sensing sites—essential for optimal performance. Unlike solid-state defects, molecular systems offer intrinsic design flexibility through synthetic chemistry, enabling tailored control over coherence time, spin-optical contrast, and other key parameters. This opens new avenues for optimised sensing in complex biological settings. 

Building on recent breakthroughs from the Quantum Optospintronics Group, this project will push molecular quantum sensing beyond proof-of-concept. Our prior work has demonstrated key capabilities—including optical spin readout, coherent spin control, and room-temperature operation—in chemically synthesised molecules [2]. We have also shown how synthetic design can enhance key sensing metrics such as optical-spin contrast [3].  

This PhD project will: 

• Demonstrate optical spin readout in biologically compatible molecules, drawing from established platforms such as commercial chromophores and spin labels. 

• Integrate sensors into biological environments and evaluate their ability to detect parameters such as temperature and biochemical changes. 

• Explore how synthetically tailored molecules can enhance quantum sensing performance in biological environments. 

This multidisciplinary project spans physics, chemistry, biomedicine, and quantum technologies. You will gain expertise in electron and nuclear spin resonance, cryogenic and room-temperature optical spectroscopy, and quantum-mechanical simulations. The project offers opportunities for cross-disciplinary and international collaboration, contributing to the development of next-generation quantum biosensors. 

Neutral atom quantum computers have emerged as one of the most promising platforms for quantum information processing [1], with a major advantage over competing technologies arising from the ability to scale to large numbers of identical qubits as required for performing practical quantum computing. These qubits, created from individually trapped atoms, can be coupled to highly excited Rydberg states to engineer strong, long-range interactions for high fidelity gate operations [2] or continuous time analogue optimisation protocols [3]. Combining this with the ability to dynamically reconfigure atoms to implement arbitrary connectivity, these platforms can allow demonstrations of logical qubit encodings and quantum error correction [4]. This approach provides a viable route to realising the potential advantages of quantum computing in enhancing application areas such as quantum chemistry and material science, as well as accelerating hard classical problems such as factorisation or optimisation. 

This PhD project will use the Strathclyde neutral atom quantum computing platform, SQuAre, to advance the development of logical qubit encodings suitable for performing quantum error correction, and demonstrate fault-tolerant quantum algorithms [4].  The SQuAre platform has already demonstrated world-record single qubit gate fidelities [6] and pioneered work on weighted graph optimisation problems [3] using arrays of up to 255 qubits. An early goal of this PhD project will involve upgrading the hardware to implement high-fidelity state-selective readout scheme [4] that can provide efficient measurement without ejection of atoms as used in many experiments currently. This advance will enable fast cycle times by promoting re-use of atomic qubits, as well as facilitating real-time loss-detection to allow rapid replacement of missing atoms.  

Using this non-destructive readout technique, we will investigate different logical qubit encoding schemes in which quantum information is stored collectively across an ensemble of physical qubits. By characterising the performance of each encoding, we will identify the best encodings for implementing quantum error correction routines and use this to demonstrate fault-tolerant implementation of quantum algorithms relevant to near-term quantum applications.  

This project is closely aligned to the QCi3 Quantum Computing hub, and will benefit from close collaboration with the team of Joschka Roffe at Edinburgh who is a world expert in quantum error correction and decoding techniques.

This project aims to investigate fundamental questions around the debate of the nature of artificial and human intelligence, specifically by asking questions around the role of quantum effects in enhancing the ability for cognition. From a purely scientific perspective, the project will be involve the study of how quantum networks scale in complexity and compute power. There are however, deeper philosophical motivations for this work related eg to the nature of consciousness in AI and natural neuronal networks. 

Despite centuries of debate, the nature and origin of consciousness remain unknown. While the discussion has long been philosophical, it is now shifting toward empirically grounded approaches, also largely motivated by the rapid development of large AI systems that prompt the question as to whether these may one day, or already, exhibit some forms of consciousness. 

We will start from the only mathematically defined framework of consciousness — Integrated Information Theory (IIT) — and apply it to artificial systems that can be simulated and physically built. Using photonic quantum reservoir computers [1,2], which can operate in both classical and quantum regimes with identical architectures, we treat IIT as a complexity metric quantifying consciousness. We will also consider more general measures of complexity that are still related to IIT but are more amenable to calculation in real-world situations [3]. 

By systematically increasing the complexity of these systems, we will compare how classical and quantum architectures differ in their complexity measures, establishing their respective scaling laws. Once characterized, these laws can be applied to biological systems such as neuron cultures and brain organoids, to test whether their scaling behaviour aligns with classical or quantum signatures of complexity by establishing if they scale within classical or quantum bounds.  

This project will have both a strong theoretical and experimental component but can also be tailored in the balance between these two components, depending on the specific skills and interests of the student.  

This project aims to investigate the possibility to use entangled photon sources to probe brain activity. Current photonic approaches for measuring brain activity, ranging from techniques such as diffuse correlation spectroscopy to functional near infrared spectroscopy, utilise relatively intense laser beams, at the edge of or just beyond eye-safety limits. These are injected into the head, non-invasively at one point using eg a fibre and then collected by another fibre placed 2-3 cm away from the input. The collected light has followed trajectories that have probed the gray matter and are sensitive to changes in absorption due to changes in blood oxygenation resulting from neuronal activity. However, there is mounting evidence that photobiomodulation, i.e. the modulation of brain activity as a result of illumination and absorption of light in the brain. In other words, the light used to measure brain activity is also simultaneously modifying that same activity. This is a very similar situation encountered in spectroscopy where e.g. one tries to use intense laser pulses to probe photosensitive molecule dynamics, e.g. photosynthesis: the probing technique is also modifying the system under study. We recently demonstrated that it is possible to use entangled photons to measure energy transfer dynamics on picosecond timescales in photosynthetic molecules with high SNR, in sub-second measurement times and using only a CW laser (to generate the entangled photon pairs) [Mendiza et al. Nat. Commun. (2025)]. The goal is to now extend this technique to the human brain. This will allow: to probe the brain at the lowest possible illumination levels; obtain high precision time-domain fNIRS measurements using only a CW laser rather that the usual pulsed lasers. Comparing the results from a classical a system with the quantum system will also allow to directly probe the effects of photobiomodulation with the goal of demonstrating that the quantum approach is therefore effectively more precise. In the later stages of the project we will aim to extend this technique to new wavelength regimes (for brain sensing), e.g. in infrared and to more complex devices where entangled photon measurements are combined with electrical or magnetic recordings.

Quantum sensing and metrology may have tremendous potential to enhance our ability to observe the universe and address some of the most challenging questions such as the nature of dark matter & dark energy, the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets, and the behaviour of black holes. Astronomy and astrophysics have seen a revolution of our understanding as more advanced instruments with higher sensitivity and finer resolution provide new data. The construction of operation of an optical very long baseline interferometer (VLBI) to provide orders of magnitude higher resolution than conventional telescopes is hindered by the limits of classical optical technologies. Distributed quantum entanglement, together with quantum memories is one proposed route towards breaking the barriers to Earth-sized, or larger, optical telescope arrays able to peer more closely at the astronomical objects, discover new planets, and provide a more powerful view of the universe. This project would investigate the requirements for building such entangled quantum telescope, develop protocols to collect, store, and measure astronomical photons, and provide the foundation for long-term proposals for space-based telescope arrays.

The student would perform theoretical and computational studies to analyse the challenges of collecting weak optical signals, transferring them to quantum memories, and using entanglement to perform distributed phase and interference visibility estimation, close to the quantum limit. Initial work would consider near to medium term quantum technology capabilities, later on incorporating the opportunities opened up by quantum information processing by quantum computers and advanced quantum computing algorithms to process inherently quantum data. There will be opportunities to collaborate with other theorists, experimentalists, and space engineers to advance the state of the art in developing quantum telescopes.

Light is a key driver for several fundamentally important processes in the ocean including ocean warming, photosynthesis and animal behaviour. Together, these processes play vital roles in establishing the contribution of the ocean to climate change and how ocean biology will respond to a warming planet. The oceans present an extremely harsh environment that limits our ability to adequately monitor these processes. Optical sensing is particularly well suited for marine monitoring applications for a variety of practical reasons and there is growing interest in developing new sensing technologies that will allow us to better exploit the opportunities offered by the development of autonomous sampling platforms.  

The advent of quantum technology and continued advances in photonics are opening the door to new sensing opportunities in the marine environment. This project will look at deploying integrated quantum technologies in a series of ocean data sensor demonstrations that will showcase some of the new possibilities that are now possible.  

The first application involves using state of the art solid state detectors to develop ultra-high dynamic range irradiance sensors that will enable passive measurement of underwater light fields from noontime daylight to the middle of polar night and down to the darkest levels found at abyssal depths. Seamlessly moving from daytime sensing to photon counting in the dark, this radically new light sensor will provide genuinely global coverage of underwater light signals across the full range of biological sensitivity.  

This ultra-high dynamic range sensing capability has other immediate applications in marine sensing. Light is attenuated exponentially as it passes through turbid media, with LIDAR signals experiencing double attenuation before being received by the detector. The ultra-high dynamic range, high-speed, light sensor will provide new capabilities to extend the sensitivity range for quantum LIDAR systems, including both to greater distances where signals are weak and near field signals that are often ecologically important, but too intense to be measured with systems that are optimised for maximum depth penetration.  

Finally, the project will exploit the exquisite sensitivity and time of flight precision that single photon detection provides to develop new spectroscopic sensors that will facilitate clear discrimination of Raman and other inelastic scattering signals. This will provide new capabilities to determine particle composition with tremendous potential to discriminate between organic, inorganic and anthropogenic materials, including microplastics and oil droplets. 

A quantum simulator has the potential to deepen our understanding of complex quantum dynamics in a way that could be transformative for other fields of research, particularly condensed-matter physics. This project will build on new possibilities in our quantum-gas microscope setups [1] to generate arbitrary light potentials at the single-lattice-site scale [2]. These light patterns are generated by a spatial light modulator and projected onto the atoms with the high-resolution microscope, thereby creating repulsive or attractive light potentials with sub-lattice-spacing resolution.

We will use this technique to tailor the tunnel coupling between lattice sites, creating double-well or ladder structures, or disordered light potentials [3]. A regular pattern of repulsive potentials can be used to block, e.g., the centre site in each 3 x 3 subcell of a square lattice, forming a Lieb lattice. These lattices exhibit interesting properties such as flat bands, localization and edge states. Based on model calculations, we will use the quantum-gas microscope in the first instance to prepare and see the stability of the edge states. Quantitative studies could involve measurements of the corner distance as a function of time, or the time evolution of the probabilities to find certain edge states. Further studies will include lattice geometries of a higher complexity such as Lieb-lattice chains and diamond chains. 

In a second strand of work, within the framework of a recent EPSRC-funded project, we will investigate whether ordered states can be generated from non-equilibrium dynamics well above the phase transition temperature. Such effects have recently been observed in the form of short-lived superconducting states in transition-metal oxides far above their equilibrium critical temperature. However, to date, there exists no basic quantitative many-body theory describing whether and how such dynamic orders can emerge in 2D and 3D, due to the challenge in computing the real-time dynamical evolution in these systems. In collaboration with our theory colleagues, we aim to investigate whether superconducting, superfluid, and insulating orders can be induced above their equilibrium critical temperatures through out-of-equilibrium dynamics.

Harvesting and distributing energy are two of the major challenges faced by society. In Nature, these processes are crucial for all forms of life and have been fine-tuned within living organisms for hundreds of millions of years.

On the atomic scale, energy is quantised, e.g. as a photon of light, and its behaviour is governed by quantum mechanics. Taking inspiration from the ingenious solutions found in Nature, in this project you will explore novel ways of harnessing quantum effects in artificial, quantum-engineered molecular devices. Specifically, you will perform open quantum systems modelling of energy flow through biological and biomimetic molecular networks.

An exciting opportunity for this project would be to contribute to the design and realisation of a bio-inspired sunlight-pumped laser system that directly transforms ambient light into a coherent laser output beam together with our network of experimental collaborators.

More broadly, the project aims to contribute to the quest of realising highly efficient organic energy harvesters that could replace state-of-the-art photovoltaics and offer a versatile and sustainable platform for generating green energy.

Fluorescence microscopy is a cornerstone of the physical and life sciences, yet its resolution and sensitivity remain limited by the optical diffraction limit and classical photon statistics. This PhD project, hosted within the Applied Quantum Technologies CDT and based in the Photophysics group at the University of Strathclyde, will develop a quantum-enhanced fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) platform that combines time-correlated single-photon detection, photon-statistical quantum contrast, and AI-driven image reconstruction to achieve spatial resolution beyond classical limits. 

Unlike conventional super-resolution techniques such as STORM or PALM, which rely on stochastic photoswitching and specialized fluorophores, this project will exploit the intrinsic quantum nature of fluorescence emission. Each fluorophore behaves as a quantum emitter, exhibiting photon antibunching. By analysing second-order photon correlation functions, g²(τ), across time and space, the system will extract quantum signatures that enhance localization precision and reveal nanoscale structural information, reducing dependence on complex switching schemes while remaining compatible with standard fluorescent labeling. 

The imaging platform will employ wide-field single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays capable of detecting and time-tagging individual photons with sub-nanosecond precision. These solid-state detectors are compact, cost-effective, and well-suited for scalable imaging instrumentation. The temporal information contained in photon arrival times will be used not only to measure fluorescence lifetimes but also to extract sub-diffraction spatial information by analysing photon correlations. This multidimensional approach combines spatial, temporal, and photon-statistical information to enhance image resolution, contrast, and sensitivity beyond the limits of classical imaging. 

Experimentally, the student will design, build, and characterise a SPAD-based, time-correlated FLIM microscope integrating high-speed timing electronics and machine-learning-based data processing. Initial experiments will use model nanostructures such as 120 nm DNA origami and fluorescent gold quantum dots, which provide well-defined spatial references for calibration and performance benchmarking. The system will then be applied to labelled exosomes and live cells, demonstrating its capability to resolve nanoscale biological features and dynamic molecular interactions. Detector characteristics, including dead time, timing jitter, and photon correlation fidelity, will be systematically assessed to optimise measurement accuracy and throughput. 

The novelty of this project lies in its integration of quantum photon correlation analysis, fluorescence lifetime contrast, and AI-based reconstruction, forming a new paradigm in quantum-enhanced microscopy. Rather than relying on chemical modification or complex excitation schemes, it harnesses the intrinsic quantum statistics of fluorescence emission to extract more information per detected photon. This provides a scalable, biologically compatible route to sub-diffraction imaging, bridging the gap between quantum measurement science and applied bioimaging. 

This research aligns closely with EPSRC priorities in Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), contributing to the Engineering theme and the UK National Quantum Strategy. Through the CDT’s interdisciplinary training, the student will gain expertise across quantum optics, single-photon detection, and computational imaging, preparing them to advance the next generation of quantum-enhanced sensing and bioimaging technologies. 

 Quantum computers promise to revolutionise computing by solving problems far beyond the reach of today’s machines. Among the many approaches being pursued, spin qubits—tiny quantum bits made from single electrons in silicon—stand out for their potential to integrate with existing semiconductor manufacturing. However, it remains unclear which CMOS technology nodes (the industrial standards used to make computer chips) are best suited for high-performance qubits [1]. This PhD project will tackle that challenge directly. 

The goal is to develop a rapid prototyping platform to identify which standard CMOS processes are most compatible with scalable spin qubits. The project will help determine whether future quantum processors can be built using the same manufacturing tools used for classical microchips, enabling faster, cheaper, and more reliable production of quantum hardware. 

While laboratory demonstrations of spin qubits have achieved impressive results [2], these devices are often made in research cleanrooms rather than in industrial foundries. Each fabrication process—known as a technology node—differs in materials, layer thicknesses, and microscopic disorder, all of which can strongly affect qubit behaviour. Yet there has never been a systematic comparison across the available CMOS nodes. This project will fill that gap, creating a database that reveals which features of CMOS technology help or hinder qubit performance. 

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (the SEQUEL Lab) spanning quantum physics, electronics, and materials science. The research combines experiment, simulation, and data science in four main areas: 

1. Cryo-electronics and multiplexing – You will help design circuits that allow multiple qubit devices to be measured in a single experiment at cryogenic temperatures, drastically increasing the rate of data collection [3]. 

1. Machine learning for automation – You will develop or apply algorithms that analyse qubit data in real time, identifying optimal settings and speeding up device testing [4]. 

1. High-speed qubit readout – You will contribute to the design and testing of superconducting resonators that enable fast and sensitive readout of qubit signals, compatible with CMOS fabrication. 

1. Device simulation – Using advanced quantum and electrostatic modelling tools (e.g., QTCAD), you will predict how device geometry and materials influence performance, helping guide experimental priorities. 

To date, research on quantum phenomena that underpin many of the advantages of modern quantum applications has predominantly focused on entanglement. This spatial quantum correlation enables, for example, secure quantum key distribution, advantages in quantum computing, and the superiority of quantum metrology schemes.  

However, current and near-term quantum information processing devices are not only able to share quantum systems, but also manipulate and transmit them, allowing for the exploitation of not only quantum correlations in space but also in time. Many modern quantum algorithms already leverage such spatio-temporal correlations as a resource for improved performance, e.g., in distributed quantum computation, where users can receive correlated quantum states, perform operations on them, and forward them to the next user. 

While the creation, verification and exploitation of spatial entanglement is well established, the capabilities of spatio-temporal entanglement and practical protocols that use it as a resource have only recently seen increased attention [1]. First works have investigated its underlying structure [2], demonstrated its advantage for practical tasks [3] and developed techniques for its experimental verification in small configurations [4].  

Building on these initial results, this project will focus on the development of a fully-fledged toolbox to efficiently verify quantum correlations in (space and) time, the design of protocols to exploit them and demonstrate their quantum advantage, as well as the investigation of their resourcefulness, robustness to noise, efficient compression, and their limitation under experimental restrictions.  

Progress in this direction will help unlock the full potential of current and future quantum technologies and open up a new domain for further quantum advantages. Throughout the project, the candidate will obtain hands-on experience in theoretical quantum information theory, including numerical simulation and optimisation, and learn how to model complex quantum systems in space and time.  

Atomic defects in semiconductor crystals such as silicon carbide (SiC) are a well-established platform for quantum technologies due to their ability to absorb and emit single photons and to store quantum information within internal spin degrees of freedom. This internal spin state of the atomic defect (also known as a colour centre) affects its emission properties, and can therefore be optically measured. Colour centres in SiC can be used as quantum memories to store and retrieve information encoded on photons [1], or as quantum sensors through the interaction of the intrinsic spins with the environment [2]. 

A key challenge for colour centres is the variation in performance induced by strains in the local crystal lattice, which are extremely hard to eliminate in the material and are a bottleneck to scalability. While we are making progress in generating colour centres in deterministic locations [3], the capability to tune their optical properties in situ would allow a way to overcome the variation in local strain conditions. This would allow separate colour centres to be tuned to emit indistinguishable photons to use in quantum protocols such as entanglement-based communication schemes, for example.  

This project seeks to harness an optical cavity to control the colour centre emission through the Purcell effect, and then tune to this emission through use of a deformable mechanical element. Devices will be made in SiC, which is a mature industrial semiconductor compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing and hosts promising colour centres. The potential of developing optomechanical cavities in SiC has recently arisen with the development of SiC-on-insulator (SiCOI) [4], semiconductor substrates with thin-films of SiC over a material with lower refractive index, allowing light to be confined in the SiC layer. By defining and etching waveguide and resonator patterns in SiCOI, integrated photonic circuits can be developed to deliver light to/from the optomechanical cavity, and established processes exist at the UK National Ion Beam Centre in Surrey to create colour centres be single ion implantation. 

This project will involve the full device development lifecycle including simulation, design, microfabrication, characterisation and application of laboratory-based measurements to demonstrate optomechanical effects. 

The creation, understanding, and tuning of novel electronic and magnetic phases of solids constitutes one of the fundamental endeavours of material science and condensed-matter research. In this context, synthetic quantum materials based on lattices of strongly correlated electrons have been shown to host many exotic quantum phases of matter (such as high-temperature superconductivity or new magnetic states) when their mutual Coulomb interaction is similar or larger than their kinetic energy, with the resulting phase depending on a delicate balance between these two energy scales. The most famous theoretical model to understand and explore lattices of strongly interacting particles is the extended Hubbard model, which in its simplest form consists of a kinetic term defined by the nearest-neighbour hopping parameter (t1), and the on-site (U) and long-range (V) Coulomb repulsion. In the Hubbard picture, strong electronic correlations emerge for U>V>t, giving rise to very rich electronic and magnetic phase diagrams [1]. 

Despite its simplicity, the extended Hubbard model is non-trivial to solve in two or higher dimensions [1], and a wide range of techniques have been used [2,3]. Hence, experimental implementations of strongly correlated electron lattices have attracted a lot of attention as potential simulators of the Hubbard model. Such synthetic quantum materials can provide new insights into regimes not accessible by the current theoretical approaches and can guide the quest for novel exotic and technologically relevant phases of matter. A crucial requirement in a synthetic quantum material for its exploitation as a simulator of the Hubbard model is the in-situ tunability of the system parameters, which represents an experimental challenge in conventional solid-state quantum materials due to their limited range of parameter control.  

In this scenario, the rise of moiré heterostructures based on two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials constitutes arguably one of the biggest and most exciting opportunities in the creation and manipulation of synthetic quantum materials [4-12]. Moiré materials provide an unprecedented ability to create Hubbard lattices with highly tunable length scales in the 1 – 100 nm range at temperatures corresponding to a small fraction of the exchange coupling (J) between neighbouring spins, which allow the exploration of regimes that complement those found in optical lattices and that have previously been unobtainable in ‘conventional’ materials. However, to unlock the true potential of synthetic moiré materials and navigate their phase diagrams at will, a new (still missing) functionality needs to be added: a wide-ranging in-situ tunability of the moiré lattice periodicity and geometry. 

This experimental PhD project aims to pioneer the exploitation of controlled strain of moiré materials at cryogenic temperatures as a tuning knob to manipulate in-situ their lattice geometry and their emergent quantum correlated electronic, magnetic, and excitonic phases. We will optically probe the emergent quantum phase diagrams as the moiré lattice geometry is continuously tuned. Our unprecedented ability to in-situ tune and readout the energy scales of moiré materials with reconfigurable lattice geometries at cryogenic temperatures will guide the quest for novel exotic and technologically relevant phases of matter. 

Superabsorption [1], the process by which an ensemble of atoms collectively enhances the rate at which it converts radiation energy into electronic excitation has been proposed in a variety of nanostructures such as arrays of quantum dots, molecular rings, and recently experimentally demonstrated with atomic [3] and molecular systems [4] where it was enabled by highly sophisticated control approaches. However, the exotic experimental conditions that were required present an impediment to harnessing the effect for practical applications. 

In this project, we will study a promising different approach for realising superabsorption under much less demanding conditions. Specifically, we shall study a collection three level emitters inside a conventional microcavity. In this setup the necessary quantum control is provided by an external global microwave drive which allows the coherent suppression of emission pathways [2].  

In the later stages of the project, we will develop blueprints for experimental exploration and implementation together with our network of experimental collaborators.  

The realisation of superabsorbing devices will open up the prospect of a new class of quantum nanotechnology [4] with applications including photon detection and light-based power transmission. 

This project aims to improve the performance of superconducting quantum computers by identifying and reducing noise sources that degrade qubit fidelity. Using advanced quantum magnetometry based on nitrogen vacancy (NV) centres in diamond, the research will map magnetic fields at the nanoscale to diagnose imperfections in qubit fabrication.

Key features:

• Quantum sensor: NV spins in diamond offer ~20 nm spatial resolution and high sensitivity across wide temperature and frequency ranges.
• Facilities: Access to a world-first low-temperature scanning NV magnetometer, dilution fridge, cryostats, lasers, single-photon detectors, and a refurbished nanofabrication lab.
• Industrial collaboration: Sponsored by QZabre Ltd., a leading ETH Zurich spin-off specializing in NV-based quantum sensing technologies.

The student will use NV magnetometry to study superconducting circuits, helping optimize qubit design for scalable quantum computing.

This is a project in theoretical physics. Our goal is to understand the properties of low-dimensional quantum many-body systems in the framework of topological quantum field theories. We will in particular focus on the role of nonlinear and interacting gauge theories, and by doing so bridge the gap between condensed matter physics, particle physics, and gravity. We will do this with two physical platforms in mind, namely, ultracold quantum gases and photonic lattices. Both these platforms offer unique possibilities to study phenomena across a broad range of physical scenarios and provide a deeper understanding of the interplay between topology and gauge theories, closely linked to experimental realisations. By doing so we will address fundamental questions about Nature, ranging from microscopic descriptions of quantum matter to aspects of quantum gravity. The back-action principle is key in this respect. Prominent examples are electromagnetism and gravity where matter tells space how to curve, and space tells matter how to move.

Optical clocks based on neutral cadmium are of interest because the black‑body radiation (BBR) shift on the clock transition is an order of magnitude smaller than in strontium or ytterbium, easing thermal control and enabling higher accuracy in practical systems [1]. Cd can also be efficiently laser‑cooled: a broad transition at 228.9 nm supports rapid loading directly from vapour, and a narrow intercombination line at ~326 nm (linewidth ~66 kHz) allows μK‑level cooling for precision spectroscopy [2]. Further, the 1 S0- 3P0 clock transition near 332 nm is an attractive platform for precision metrology and single‑photon interferometry.

Aim: In this project we will design, build, and apply ultra‑low‑noise UV laser systems tailored to Cd cooling and precision spectroscopy, in close collaboration with Dr Stefan Truppe’s group (Imperial College London [3]) and with Fraunhofer CAP for translation towards deployable sources.

Context and novelty: Deep‑UV laser sources, particular when high coherence is required, are very challenging and currently confined to large lab-based systems. However, following our recent work on compact, high power, ultra-narrow-linewidth red (689 nm) lasers for Sr (see e.g. [4]) we now have the opportunity to explore low noise intra-cavity nonlinear harmonic generation of the
wavelengths required for Cd, within lasers immune to so-called nonlinear ‘green noise’ and with sub-Hz intrinsic linewidth. In an early result, we previously demonstrated narrow linewidths at 338 nm via intra-cavity second harmonic generation [5]. In parallel, our collaborators have recently established deep‑UV laser‑cooling platforms for atoms and molecules, providing a unique experimental testbed and know‑how in DUV optics [3, 6, 7]. Building on that platform, this project will target ultra‑stable UV outputs at 326 nm and 332 nm with sub‑kHz linewidths, leveraging techniques such as intracavity doubling (e.g. 664 → 332 nm) and vibration‑insensitive cavities with active frequency noise suppression. The UV sources will be engineered for low frequency noise, high passive stability, and robust DUV optics handling.

Technical objectives:
• 326 nm narrow‑line cooling laser with intensity/frequency noise below the natural linewidth of the Cd transition to enable μK cooling and high‑SNR spectroscopy of Cd.
• 332 nm clock‑spectroscopy laser (via intracavity SHG) targeting sub‑kHz linewidth and long‑term stability compatible with coherent interrogation, with an enhancement cavity contingency if required.
• Noise metrology and dynamics: characterise intensity, frequency and phase noise; model/measure nonlinear conversion dynamics and UV‑induced degradation pathways.
• Application experiments (with Imperial): perform narrow‑line cooling at 326 nm, then spectroscopy on/near the 332 nm clock transition.

Expected outcomes:
• Demonstration of compact, low‑noise 326 nm and 332 nm UV sources suitable for
advanced Cd spectroscopy.
• Narrow‑line cooling and clock‑transition spectroscopy in Cd.
• Peer‑reviewed publications in laser design, UV nonlinear optics, and precision
spectroscopy; technology path towards compact optical clocks for PNT applications

This project addresses a critical challenge in quantum technologies: reliably controlling quantum systems despite uncertainties and imperfections. Current quantum devices remain highly sensitive to calibration errors, noise, and device variations, limiting scalability and practical deployment.

The project builds on Universally Robust Quantum Control (URQC) [1], which designs control protocols that maintain high fidelity across multiple error types simultaneously. Unlike traditional methods targeting specific errors, URQC exploits geometric properties of quantum dynamics to achieve universal robustness.

In this context, this project will tackle problems of both applied and fundamental nature:

• To create practical tools for programming robust control sequences into cloud quantum computers
• To investigate fundamental limits of quantum control by connecting robustness theory with dynamical complexity measures from many-body physics—quantum chaos, unitary designs, and operator scrambling [2]
• To combine URQC methods with reinforcement learning techniques to tackle robust control of open quantum systems with particle loss [3]

The methodology will integrate analytical optimal control methods, mathematical insights from group theory and many-body physics, numerical optimization using gradient-based [4] and machine learning algorithms, and validation through realistic hardware simulations. The project will deliver new theoretical connections between quantum control and quantum complexity, alongside validated control protocols and open-source software tools enhancing near-term quantum device reliability.

In a quantum many-body system the interactions between the constituent microscopic particles lead to emergent macroscopic phenomena. Such macroscopic phenomena include superfluidity (fluid flow without viscosity) and superconductivity (conduction of electricity without resistance). Novel phases such as high-temperature superconductivity form the basis of quantum materials, where useful emergent properties can lead to new technologies. Studying the dynamics of vortices (quantum whirlpools) can give key insight into the inner workings of these systems. Superfluids formed of ultracold atoms provide an extremely clean and well-controlled system for studies of collective quantum behaviour. They enable exquisite control over interactions, geometry, and rotation (vorticity). Importantly, in superfluids formed of mixtures of ultracold atoms we can tune the interactions to emphasize quantum effects such as fluctuations.

A key aim of this PhD project is to explore quantum-fluctuation dominated regimes where the behaviour of the superfluid depends on its inherent quantum nature, driving our fundamental understanding of superfluidity as a collective quantum phenomenon.  Research goals include (1) investigating the role of quantum fluctuations in vortex nucleation and subsequent dynamics, and (2) investigating quantum-fluctuation-mediated interactions between two superfluids.

The successful student will join the Quantum Fluids research team, run by Dr Kali Wilson. They will work closely with the supervisor and other team members on a state-of-the-art experimental apparatus designed to explore vortex dynamics in binary superfluids formed of ultracold rubidium and potassium atoms. The successful student will also acquire practical skills in the areas of quantum technologies, optics and atomic physics. These skills include working with lasers, designing optical systems, high-resolution imaging and state-of-the-art image processing techniques, cooling and trapping atoms, as well as electronics and mechanical design.