About the Project
Supervisor: Professor Marian Florescu
Can we build a controllable quantum system that reproduces the behaviour of another quantum system that is far harder to access experimentally? This project will develop engineered quantum-photonic environments as analogue simulators of complex open quantum systems, enabling experimentally controlled studies of decoherence, quantum transport, memory effects and coherence preservation.
Many quantum systems interact strongly with structured environments, making their dynamics difficult to calculate and even harder to probe experimentally. This project takes a different approach: rather than modelling a complex target system only through direct computation, you will engineer a simpler quantum-photonic platform whose interactions and environmental spectral properties reproduce selected features of the target system.
You will develop theoretical and computational frameworks for quantum emitters coupled to structured photonic reservoirs. Photonic crystals, hyperuniform and correlated disordered structures, coupled resonators and other engineered electromagnetic environments will be used to control the photonic density of states, spectral correlations, localisation and emitter-reservoir coupling. The aim is to establish mappings between target quantum dynamics and experimentally controllable photonic architectures.
Particular emphasis will be placed on open quantum systems beyond conventional Markovian descriptions, where memory effects and information backflow can qualitatively change quantum evolution. Target systems will include excitation transport and long-lived coherence in complex molecular and quantum-biological systems, many-body quantum systems with structured dissipation, and system-environment dynamics relevant to decoherence and quantum measurement. The goal is to reproduce selected spectral densities, correlations and coupling mechanisms in a controllable photonic platform.
Large-scale electromagnetic simulations will be combined with open quantum-system theory to connect realistic nanophotonic structures directly to quantum dynamics. Selected simulator architectures will be developed in collaboration with experimental researchers working on quantum emitters and integrated photonic platforms, providing a route from theoretical design to experimentally accessible tabletop quantum simulators.
The research programme will focus on:
- developing engineered quantum-photonic systems that reproduce the spectral and dynamical properties of complex open quantum environments
- establishing mappings between target systems - including quantum-biological, many-body and decoherence models - and experimentally controllable photonic reservoir architectures
- investigating decoherence, non-Markovian dynamics, information backflow, quantum transport and coherence preservation
- designing periodic, hyperuniform and correlated disordered reservoirs, and work with experimental collaborators to realise and characterise selected quantum-simulator architectures
Entry requirements
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:
- physics
- photonics
- electrical or electronic engineering
- applied mathematics
- a closely related discipline
Essential skills:
- experience of numerical modelling and scientific programming gained through an undergraduate, master's or research project
Desirable skills:
- prior study of quantum mechanics, quantum optics, open quantum systems or photonics
- experience with Python, C/C++, Julia or MATLAB and/or computational electromagnetics or high-performance computing
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 ORC (7097)
- add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application
Applications should include:
- 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, m.florescu@soton.ac.uk.
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.