Hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces for solar-thermal energy conversion

This project will investigate how structural correlations in disordered photonic materials can be engineered to control the absorption, scattering and emission of light for high-efficiency solar-thermal energy conversion. By combining electromagnetic theory, large-scale computation and experimental collaboration, the work will establish design principles for hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces that use correlated disorder for precise and broadband light management.

The research will develop a theoretical and computational framework for metal-dielectric-metal metasurfaces that achieve selective solar absorption. Finite-element and finite-difference time-domain simulations will be used to determine how structural correlations and the degree of hyperuniformity influence broadband absorption, angular response, dispersion and thermal emission. Artificial intelligence and machine-learning methods will be used to accelerate the design and optimisation process, combining physics-informed learning, surrogate models and optimisation to navigate large structural design spaces and identify high-performing, physically interpretable architectures.

You will be based at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), with access to state-of-the-art computational facilities and specialist photonics laboratories. The project bridges theory, AI-enabled design, simulation and experiment. You will work closely with experimental collaborators on the implementation, fabrication and optical characterisation of selected metasurface designs, allowing computational predictions to be tested and refined in realistic devices.

The research programme will focus on:

• theoretical formulation and numerical modelling of solar-selective metasurfaces based on hyperuniform geometries
• design and optimisation of correlated disorder using physics-informed artificial intelligence and machine-learning methods
• parametric and multiphysics simulations to identify pathways toward near-unity solar absorption and suppressed thermal emission
• work with experimental collaborators to translate optimised designs into fabricated prototypes and evaluate their optical and thermal performance through characterisation

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.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in:

• physics
• optics
• photonics
• electrical engineering
• electronic engineering
• materials science
• 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:

• experience with computational electromagnetics, for example finite-element, finite-difference time-domain or photonic band-structure methods
• knowledge of photonic materials, metasurfaces, absorption and emission, disordered or hyperuniform structures, and optimisation methods

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, please contact doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk.

Project leader

For an initial conversation, contact M.Florescu@soton.ac.uk.