Miniaturised Mid-Infrared Photonic Systems for Gas Detection and Mapping

About the Project

Supervisory Team: Professor Goran Mashanovich and Dr. Milos Nedeljkovic

This project explores compact mid-infrared (mid-IR) LiDAR systems for gas sensing. You’ll design and prototype photonic devices that detect and map trace gases using their unique infrared fingerprints.

This project focuses on developing compact mid-infrared LiDAR systems for gas sensing, a technology capable of remotely detecting gas leaks, emissions, or contamination with exceptional precision. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) measures distance by illuminating a target with laser light and analysing the reflected signal. By shifting LiDAR operation into the mid-infrared wavelength range, where many gases have strong and distinct absorption lines, we can detect specific chemical species from a distance. This makes mid-IR LiDAR a powerful tool for environmental monitoring, safety inspection, and process control.

This project’s objectives are to explore integrated and miniaturised LiDAR architectures suitable for deployment on drones, in food storage facilities, or around industrial infrastructure. You would be responsible for designing photonic circuits for beam steering, integrating light sources and detectors, simulating optical performance and helping prototype and test real devices.

You will join one of the world’s leading photonics research centres, home to nearly 70 advanced laboratories and one of the best academic cleanroom complexes in Europe. You would receive training in nanofabrication, device characterisation, and optical system integration, as well as in commercial and in-house design software used for photonic modelling and system design. You’ll gain:

• experience designing and fabricating mid-IR photonic devices
• hands-on training in world-class cleanroom and laboratory facilities
• opportunities to apply photonics to impactful sensing applications
• skills in working in a multidisciplinary team

Entry requirements

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

• physics
• photonics
• engineering

Ideally, you should be interested in integrated optics, environmental monitoring, and next-generation LiDAR for safety and sustainability.

Fees and funding

Full scholarships include tuition fees, a stipend at the UKRI rate plus 10% ORC enhancement tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years (totalling £22,858 for 2025/26, rising annually) and a budget of £4200 for things like conference travel.

UK, EU and Horizon Europe students are eligible for scholarships. CSC students are eligible for fee waivers. Funding for other international applicants is very limited and highly competitive. Overseas students who have secured or are seeking external funding are welcome to apply.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2026/27, 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)