About the Project

Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, high-power laser beams, coherent beam combination, physics of optical beam measurement and control, opto-mechanical designs and engineering?

We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. As a student of the Hub, you will receive an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per year, plus additional funds of £7,000 a year for travel, conferences and research equipment. This project is co- funded by PowerPhotonic Ltd.

 

Project focus

The studentship will focus on Coherent Beam Combination (CBC), which is a modern optical technology enabling multiple single-mode fibre lasers to be spatially tiled or stacked in the near-field, and combined in the far-field at an intended target. The current state-of-the-art laser beam combining modules [1] utilise freeform monolithic array optics in a solution that delivers scaled output power with high efficiency and brightness, in a robust compact module that has size, weight and power factors unattainable using conventional optics.

Critical to the utilisation of this technology, is that all the laser channels are “in phase”, and with the same polarisation state, such that constructive interference occurs in the far-field, creating a high intensity hot spot combining the optical power from all channels. In order to achieve this, the phase and polarisation need to be accurately measured to provide feedback to control the phase of each fibre laser.

This project aims to design and develop future generation laser beam combining modules that will include a novel phase and polarisation detection system that can be integrated into the CBC optical module. The project will start with a critical review of the current methods of detection, assessing the limitations and advantages of each concept in the context of CBC. A new design will be created for a phase and polarisation detection system applicable to a wide range of CBC systems, focussing on scalability, high frame rate and integration with an optical combiner module. This student-led work will be guided by PowerPhotonic engineers, who manufacture CBC combiner modules and have 20+ years of experience in the manufacture and design of freeform optical components.

The opto-mechanical designs of future generation modules will also be developed, building on the expertise at Heriot-Watt University in stress-free and robust mounting techniques, whilst also incorporating the latest manufacturing technologies such as metal additive manufacturing, laser-based bonding of glass-to-metal, and athermal opto-mechanical concepts.

The Hub

The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at Heriot-Watt University and at PowerPhotonic Ltd, and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.

Why Join Us?

• Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts.
• Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry.
• Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises.
• Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment/stipend) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.

Key Details

• Host Institution: Heriot-Watt University
• Industry Partner: PowerPhotonic Ltd.
• PhD Duration: 4 years
• Start Date: 1st October 2025
• Enhanced stipend of £23,237

The industrial partner, PowerPhotonic Ltd, are industry leading experts with over 20 years of experience in the design, manufacture & validation of beam shaping and image enhancing optics for the most demanding applications in laser material processing, medicine and life sciences, laser projection displays, defense and science and telecom. PowerPhotonic have also developed capability in manufacturing and alignment of opto-mechanical assemblies, integrating multiple freeform optics into a single mechanical housing.

Location

This project would be held jointly between Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and PowerPhotonic Ltd in Dalgety Bay, with onsite presence expected at both facilities throughout the project. At PowerPhotonic the student will work alongside the Product Development team which has two decades of experience in fundamental R&D and proprietary manufacturing technology. The student will have access to the ISO9001 accredited manufacturing facility for high quality wafer-scale freeform optics production. At Heriot-Watt University, the student will be integrated into the research team leading the design and development of high-power lasers and optical systems, and the team pioneering the development of laser-based manufacturing processes and applications. The student will have access to the cleanroom optical system development labs, and the laser-based processing labs in the National Robotarium.

The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting in the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.

Please check the hub website for further details: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/energy-transfer-skills-training-hub

Eligibility

PhD Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second-Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline. Candidates must be UK Nationals and be willing to apply for and able to obtain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance. 

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this PhD project before you apply. Please contact Callum Wreford – callum.wreford@powerphotonic.com

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The Hub is committed to improving diversity within the sector and as such we aim to provide an inclusive environment in which all students can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from women, disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, and students from low-income/ non-typical backgrounds to apply. We can also consider part time PhD students. We encourage and support talented individuals from various STEM backgrounds with ambition and an interest in making a difference. 

Funding Notes

Funding provided by the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub.

The generous funding package includes full tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £23,237 per annum. Additional support is available for conference attendance, specialised training, travel to industrial partners, and extended placements with industry collaborators.

This studentship is open to UK Nationals and is available for home students only.

 

The Role

Responsible for performing a range of equipment engineering activities on critical production manufacturing equipment and facility systems within a controlled cleanroom environment. This role requires specialist, cross functional knowledge of mechanical, electrical and pneumatic systems and experience troubleshooting in a photonics/optics production environment.

This role is not suitable for general maintenance candidates.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key areas of responsibility comprise:

• Provide 1st and 2nd line support for production capacity
• Execution and documentation of preventative maintenance (PMs) on a variety of manufacturing equipment, including but not limited to: laser machining systems, automated cleaning systems, metrology tools, etc.
• Diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair of mechanical, electrical and pneumatic issues on complex machinery and systems ensuring rapid resolution to minimize production interruptions
• Performing corrective maintenance as required, documenting all repairs and parts accurately
• Performing and documenting routine monitoring and calibration activities.
• Organization and coordination of third-party maintenance contracts and calibration service contracts
• Monitoring of cleanroom parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, particle counts) and response to alarms and deviations
• Working with the organization maintenance specialist, to develop equipment maintenance plans and improve machine reliability
• Generation and review of work instructions/manuals for facility equipment.
• Review and reporting on failure modes. Leading CAPA and RCA activities to address issues
• Installation and setup of new equipment
• Support for other projects as required
• Providing training to other technical staff.
• Playing an active part in the safety committee including the conducting of risk assessments
• Ensuring the company values are always upheld when performing this role

Required qualifications and experience

Essential requirements:

• Associates degree or technical certification from an accredited body in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field is a fundamental requirement
• Experience (5+ years) in a Manufacturing Equipment Technician role
• Knowledge of equipment maintenance principles, practices and troubleshooting is crucial
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment such as optoelectrical or semiconductor industries
• Working on production line within a regulated environment
• Proven experience with preventive and corrective maintenance of complex automated machinery
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting schematic and mechanical drawings
• Able to track down and resolve electrical faults
• Experience in electrical and mechanical assembly to given tolerances
• Able to safely use common test and measurement equipment
• Able to use their initiative to solve problems proactively
• Able to work safely with electrical and mechanical equipment

Desirable requirements:

• Experience working with lasers and optical assembly and alignment
• Experience in electronics assembly and fault finding
• Experience with automation and control systems
• Strong data analyst, project management and other engineering qualities
• Skills in CAD software for design and modelling
• Compliance and knowledge of safety protocols and regulatory requirements

Preferred skills

The ideal candidate will be highly detail-oriented, proactive and possess excellent problem-solving skills to ensure minimum downtime and optimal equipment performance and can demonstrate the following:

• Comfortable operating in a small and fast paced company environment
• Attention to detail and disciplined in management of timetables events
• Flexible and responsive approach to managing workload
• Ability to plan and prioritize work independently and flag and escalate issues as required
• Self-starter – solutions focused, with a hand-on approach to problem solving
• Team player, communicates effectively and builds good working relationships
• Maintains social, ethical and organizational norms in conducting internal and external business activities
• Tenacious and resilient – sees issues through to resolution

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Manufacturing & cleanroom environment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Progression Opportunities

PowerPhotonic Inc is committed to the career and personal development of its employees. While no specific guarantees can be given as to future career development, which will depend on business requirements and any vacancies which may arise, the company looks to employ individuals who have the interest, skills and potential to progress within the company, possibly in different departments.

This is a full-time position.

U.S. citizenship is essential.

There may be occasional travel to customer sites.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Competitive

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Please send CV’s to hr@powerphotonic.com

No agencies.