Programmable Quantum Photonic Circuits

About the Project

This project aims to create the next generation of programmable quantum photonic chips, enabling quantum simulations and machine‑learning applications that are currently beyond classical reach.

Photons play a key role in quantum processors, either directly encoding qubits, being used to manipulate quantum systems or connecting scalable networks of quantum machines. There are compelling reasons to manipulate photons in semiconductor chips, leveraging the advanced state of chip-processing already in place, and the potential for ultra-stable and scalable circuits. Photonic neural networks fed with non-Gaussian states, such as single photons or squeezed states, can also be used for simulations that are hard to reproduce on a classical computer.

You will work in our growing team to design and test photonic integrated circuits (PICs) made from wide-band-gap semiconductors. These will operate in the visible range, to be compatible with a number of leading quantum systems that generate, store and detect light. You will also develop programmable PICs to take to the group of Dr Raj Patel at Imperial College London, supporting their research in the use of non-Gaussian photonic resource states to explore new regimes for sampling problems and machine learning. The studentship will therefore address several challenges in integrated quantum simulation and interconnected quantum systems.

Ideal candidates will have strong physics or engineering backgrounds, hands‑on lab skills, and curiosity about quantum information. Prior experience in photonics, device fabrication, or quantum optics is advantageous but not essential.

During this fully-funded 3.5-year PhD position you will gain hands-on experience in photonic quantum technologies, semiconductor device fabrication, and data analysis, while working in a collaborative and world-class research environment.

If you are ready to contribute to transformative advancements in quantum technologies and develop expertise in a rapidly growing field, we encourage you to apply.

Key Benefits

• Fully-funded 3.5-year PhD position (tuition fees + stipend) for UK-resident students.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and tools
• Opportunity to work on a high-impact project in a globally recognised research group
• Training in quantum photonics, advanced semiconductor fabrication, and characterisation

Join us on this exciting journey into the quantum future!

We encourage applications from backgrounds that are under-represented in technology and STEMM.

For more information, please contact Prof Bennett at BennettA19@cardiff.ac.uk.

This funding is only open to UK-home students. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (having lived in the UK for 3+ years) are generally eligible for home fee status.

Research Environment.

We are seeking someone to join our vibrant and growing research group of ~ 15 persons. You can learn more about our group via https://qlabcardiff.co.uk/. We run well equipped labs with state-of-the-art characterisation equipment, located in the new Translational Research Hub building at Cardiff University. Devices will be fabricated in the Institute for Compound Semiconductors cleanroom which is at the heart of £300m campus upgrade. The group is fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity and regularly delivers outreach projects designed to widen participation in our research area.

Support of the candidate.

The group will provide an exceptional level of training and support to the candidate on a day-to-day basis in a friendly and open working environment. You will have a desk in an interdisciplinary research office with other Post-docs/PhD students from the schools of physics and engineering. To enable integration within the research culture of the university you will attend regular group meetings and seminars.

About Cardiff.

Cardiff is a lively and modern capital city, gaining popularity with tourists interested in its history and in Welsh culture. Cardiff has the most green space per person in a major UK city, including Bute Park at the heart of the city and 5 castles within its surroundings. The city's core population stands at roughly 345,000, with 860,000 living in the larger urban area. Cardiff University was ranked 5th amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) based on quality, and is a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 UK research intensive universities.

Research area.

This is a fascinating research area at the cutting edge of science and technology. The candidate will uncover new science in a fast-moving research field, which will lead to great publications and opportunities to travel to international conferences and the main supervisor’s collaborators in the UK and EU.

The primary goal of the project is research excellence. The candidate will leave their PhD with multiple first author peer-reviewed publications in high impact journals.

Training and job prospects

Regular opportunities to practice public speaking and report writing will hone transferable skills. Training will be provided for skills that project are highly sought after by high-tech employers in the semiconductor and quantum technology industries. These skills include semiconductor processing, photonics lab skills, computational modelling, Labview programming and data analysis.

Academic Criteria

Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first-class degree or a good 2.1 (or their equivalent) in Engineering or a related subject.

Desirable skills: experimental skills, background in semiconductors/optics/quantum engineering or physics, data analysis.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

Contact for further information

Please contact Anthony Bennett (BennettA19@cardiff.ac.uk) to informally discuss this opportunity

How to apply

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering) including;

• an upload of your CV
• a personal statement/covering letter
• two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)
• Current academic transcripts

Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date October 2026.

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference AB QCI Hub 26

Deadline for applications

July 2026. We may however close this opportunity earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Funding Notes

Tuition fees at the Home rate are covered by the University (£5,006 in 2025/6) and an annual stipend equivalent to current Research Council pro rates is provided (£20,780 stipend for academic year 2025/6)