About the project
This PhD applies AI to inverse design, a method that works backwards from desired performance to generate efficient photonic circuits. You'll develop algorithms that intelligently explore vast design spaces, enabling compact, manufacturable light-based chips.
Are you a computer science or electronics engineering student excited by the idea of applying AI to solve real-world engineering challenges? This PhD offers a unique opportunity to bring your skills in machine learning and optimisation into the rapidly evolving field of photonics.
Photonics—the science of light-based circuits—is enabling breakthroughs in data communications, autonomous systems, healthcare, and environmental sensing. As demand grows for faster, more energy-efficient photonic integrated circuits (PICs), traditional design methods are reaching their limits. Inverse design flips the conventional approach: instead of manually crafting circuit layouts, we define the desired performance and let algorithms discover the optimal structure.
This project explores how advanced AI techniques - such as graph neural networks, reinforcement learning and generative models - can automate and accelerate this process, making PICs more compact, efficient, and easier to manufacture.
You’ll be part of a collaborative team working at the intersection of computer science, photonics, and fabrication. Your contributions will help develop tools that intelligently search vast design spaces, optimise layouts, and verify performance - all while learning from real-world data and simulations. What you’ll gain:
- experience applying AI to physical design problems
- access to rich datasets of photonic devices and circuits
- opportunities to work in one of Europe’s top academic cleanrooms and photonics labs
- training in photonic design, fabrication, and characterisation
- a supportive, interdisciplinary research environment
Whether you're passionate about machine learning, optimisation, or algorithmic design, this project offers a chance to apply your skills in a meaningful and impactful way.
The School of Optoelectronics (ORC) is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
