About the project
BOUNDLESS is a six-year Programme Grant that aims at redefining fibre-optic communications and sensing based on the capabilities of hollow-core fibres. A range of PhD opportunities are available covering fibre development, broadband amplification, integrated photonics, communications, multifunctional systems, gas detection and sensing in harsh environments.
Optical-fibre systems have traditionally been designed around the limitations of glass. BOUNDLESS, an ambitious six-year EPSRC-funded Programme Grant, aims to remove those constraints and explore what fibre technologies could achieve if they were designed around applications instead. BOUNDLESS seeks to unlock the full potential of hollow-core fibre and create a new generation of communication and sensing systems.
Unlike conventional optical fibres, hollow-core fibres can offer broad transmission bandwidths, exceptionally low nonlinearity and dispersion, operation across wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared, and strong resilience in challenging environments. BOUNDLESS will exploit these capabilities by developing an ecosystem of fibres, amplifiers, photonic devices, communication technologies and advanced sensors.
We are seeking talented and highly motivated PhD candidates interested in contributing to a collaborative programme developing new components and systems for applications ranging from future communication networks multifunctional infrastructures to gas detection, sensing in fusion and other harsh environments.
Potential projects may address one or more of the following areas:
- multimode hollow-core fibre design and fabrication
- novel fibre gain media and broadband fibre amplifiers
- interconnection between hollow-core fibres and integrated photonic devices
- integrated lasers, modulators and nonlinear photonic devices
- high-capacity and energy-efficient optical communications
- optical networks combining communications with additional services
- gas, radiation and distributed fibre sensing
- photonic systems for harsh or extreme environments
The project will be developed jointly with you, reflecting your interests, expertise and career aspirations. The supervisory team will be chosen from across BOUNDLESS according to the chosen research direction.
The predominantly experimental nature of these projects will provide extensive hands-on training using the ORC’s advanced fibre fabrication, photonic device, characterisation and optical systems facilities. These include the extensive Zepler cleanrooms for fibre and photonic component fabrication, the ‘X-band’ ultrafast measurement facility, and a suite of characterisation and application laboratories. Depending on the selected research area, you'll develop specialist expertise in optical fibres and amplifiers, integrated photonics, communication systems or advanced sensing, alongside transferable skills in experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication.
BOUNDLESS also involves several external academic and industrial partners, creating opportunities for collaborative research and joint experiments. You'll participate in cross-institutional project meetings, present your work to wider audiences, and collaborate with researchers across the ORC and partner organisations, gaining valuable experience of multidisciplinary teamwork and working towards shared research objectives.
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.
