Exciting opportunities to pursue a PhD in photonics research.
Register your interest here by 26th June 2025
PhDs to start on 1st October 2025, more than 10 positions available
Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, Tyndall National Institute and their associate partner Seagate Technology are delighted to call all students interested in pursuing a PhD in photonics to register their interest now for multiple fully funded PhD positions starting on 1st October 2025. These positions are available as both 3-year and 4-year programs, offering an excellent opportunity to begin your doctoral journey.
Applications for the PhD positions will open by the end of June 2025, with detailed information on the available research projects being announced in addition. Successful candidates will join a Doctoral College and will either be hosted at ATU, UU or Tyndall National Institute. Throughout the duration of the PhD, there will be strong collaboration across all partner institutes, including co-supervised research projects, joint networking and training events, site visits as well as opportunities to engage with and collaborate alongside our industry partners.
Doctoral students are going to be equipped with the highest level of scientific and engineering research skills needed to address the challenges of developing new integrated photonic technologies for diverse applications, as well as with the entrepreneurial, leadership and teamwork capabilities needed to lead and operate at the highest levels in industry.
Essential information at a glance:
- PhD start date: 1st October 2025
- Application opens: End of June 2025
- Duration:
- 3 years for students enrolled at Ulster University (Derry~Londonderry campus)
- 4 years for students enrolled at Atlantic Technological University (Donegal campus)
- 4 years for students at Tyndall National Institute, enrolled at University College Cork or Munster Technological University
- Compensation: The annual stipend for students based at Atlantic Technological University or Tyndall National Institute is EUR 25,000; for students based at Ulster University it is an average GBP 20,500 per annum. Annual academic fees will be paid by the host institutions.
- PhD projects will be available in the following themes:
- Smart manufacturing
- Biophotonics
- Optical communications
- Photonics Packaging
- Heterogeneous integration
- AI Hardware (Neuromorphic Engineering)
- Data-Driven Photonic Systems
- Photonic neuro-sensing for brain-computer interfaces
- Photonic Imaging for Automated Quality Control in Manufacturing
- Photonics based innovation in Healthcare, IoT, Sports, Agri Tech
- Next generation optical/Photonics networks for Future Communications (5G/6G)
- Photonics driven Antenna Systems
- Photonics for Networked Wearable Sensor Communications
Any queries concerning these PhD positions can be sent to Nick Timmons via email: Nick.Timmons@atu.ie
An information webinar will be held on 2nd July 2025 at 16:00 online via MS Teams.
