About the Project
Supervisor: Dr Sajjd Taravati
Imagine surfaces that reprogram how electromagnetic waves behave in real time, steering, amplifying and even shifting their frequency on demand. This project develops dynamic, active metasurfaces that break conventional limits on wave control, opening new possibilities for next-generation antennas, sensors and communication systems through active, nonreciprocal and time-varying electromagnetic design.
Electromagnetic metasurfaces are engineered planar structures that manipulate waves at will. They have transformed antenna and sensor design. However, most existing metasurfaces remain passive and static, fundamentally limiting the range of wave behaviours they can achieve. This project develops dynamic, active metasurfaces whose electromagnetic response can be modulated in space and time. These metasurfaces enable functionalities that passive structures cannot reach. Such funcionalities include gain and amplification within the surface itself, nonreciprocal (direction-dependent) wave propagation, and frequency conversion through time-varying modulation.
The research addresses the core challenge of how to embed active and time-modulated elements into metasurface apertures while retaining the precision, compactness and manufacturability that make metasurfaces attractive in the first place. The project builds on prior work on active, gain-embedded metasurface architectures and their use in nonreciprocal radiation, frequency multiplication and direction-of-arrival sensing. It will explore new metasurface topologies and modulation schemes, combining electromagnetic theory, full-wave simulation, and prototype fabrication and RF characterisation. Its aim is to demonstrate novel wave-engineering functionality relevant to advanced antennas, sensors and communication systems.
Intended outcomes include:
- new design methodologies for dynamic active metasurfaces
- experimentally validated prototypes
- a body of work with strong potential for patent protection and industry translation, following prior success developing metasurface intellectual property
The project offers training across the full pipeline from electromagnetic theory to hardware realisation and measurement, within an active research group with an established track record in active and time-modulated electromagnetic systems and antennas.
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.
Fees and funding
We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.
Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.
Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.
How to apply
Apply now
You need to:
- choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- select Full time or Part time
- search for programme PhD Electronic & Electrical Engineering (7092)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- research proposal
- your CV (resumé)
- 2 academic references
- degree transcripts and certificates to date
- English language qualification (if applicable)
Contact us
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
For questions about applying, doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk.
Project leader
For an initial conversation, S.Taravati@soton.ac.uk.
The School of Electronics and Computer Science 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.