PhD Studentship: 3D printed ultrafast optical metamaterials

University of Exeter - Physics / Engineering

Qualification Type: PhD

Location: Devon, Exeter

Funding for: UK Students

Funding amount: at least £19,237 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study

Hours: Full Time

Placed On: 17th September 2025

Closes: 14th October 2025

Reference: 5556

Supervisors

Primary Supervisor - Dr Calum Williams

Secondary Supervisors - Dr. Maciej Dabrowski, Prof Simon Horsley

This PhD studentship will develop 3D-printed optical metamaterials to control ultrafast laser pulses on femtosecond timescales. Combining nanofabrication, electromagnetic simulation, and pump–probe laser measurements, the project will explore how 3D geometry, and different materials platforms, enable light manipulation for next-generation ultrafast applications in spectroscopy, sensing, and telecomms.

Ultrafast lasers drive innovations from quantum technology to medical imaging, yet controlling femtosecond pulses remains a major challenge. Metamaterials are artificial structures with subwavelength features that enable tailored optical responses not found in nature—such as negative refractive index. This funded PhD studentship will develop 3D-printed optical metamaterials to sculpt ultrashort laser pulses for next-generation spectroscopy, sensing, and light–matter control.

The student will utilise different materials platforms with two-photon polymerisation (2PP) 3D printing to fabricate multiscale metamaterials with sub-200 nm resolution. The research spans fundamental optical physics through to applications, and the student will develop skills in electromagnetic simulation, nanofabrication within a state-of-the-art cleanroom, experimental optical systems and data analysis.

This research is ideally suited to candidates with interests in photonics, metamaterials, ultrafast optics, nanofabrication, and computational electromagnetism. Strong coding (Python /MATLAB) and experimental aptitude is desirable.

Skillset development: The research spans fundamental optical physics through to applications, and the student will develop a diverse and sought-after skillset during the PhD project, including: electromagnetic simulation, nanofabrication within a state-of-the-art cleanroom, ultrafast pump-probe measurements with laser pulses, data analysis and effective scientific communication.

University of Exeter: The Department of Physics at Exeter has extensive expertise across optical physics, photonic device development and metamaterials. The student will have access world-class research facilities and be based within the Centre for Metamaterials Research and Innovation (CMRI): a community of academic, industrial, and governmental partners that harnesses world-leading research excellence from theory to application, and enables simulation, measurement, and fabrication of metamaterials and metamaterial-based devices.

Entry requirements

The successful candidate should be completing / have completed their undergraduate degree in Physics, Engineering or related Physical Sciences discipline (2:1 / above). They should be self-motivated, a creative problem solver, and with a strong interest in photonics, electromagnetism and computational optics. Strong analytical and experimental skills are essential. Proficiency in Python / MATLAB programming is desirable, and motivation for experimentally-focused research is preferred.