PhD Studentship: AI Design of Ultrathin Lenses for Compact Imaging Devices
Join to apply for the PhD Studentship: AI design of ultrathin lenses for compact imaging devices role at University of Nottingham.
Area: Engineering
Location: UK, Other
Closing Date: Monday 17 November 2025
Reference: ENG280
Overview
The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham is seeking an enthusiastic, self‑motivated student who enjoys working as part of a team to undertake a PhD in the Optics and Photonics Research Group (OPG), supervised by Dr. Mitchell Kenney alongside collaborators within OPG and Life sciences.
Metamaterials are artificial materials that use digitally‑arranged nanometre‑sized optical structures for intelligent manipulation of light. They require only simplistic (microelectronics‑compatible) fabrication processes and have the potential to replace previous optical components, with enhanced functionalities capable of gathering extra optical information. The proposed project is to design flat metamaterial optics [1, 2, 3] and utilise their increased functionality to develop novel computational imaging and sensing techniques for compact imaging systems.
The project will work on cutting‑edge optical technologies alongside collaborators Prof Melissa Mather, Prof Dmitri Veprintsev, and Dr Sendy Phang.
Responsibilities
* Use commercial simulation software to test electromagnetic designs.
* Code algorithmic models to design metamaterials.
* Fabricate metamaterials using nano‑fabrication techniques.
* Construct and align optical setups in visible light range.
* Determine imaging performance in bespoke optical systems.
* Apply AI and Deep Learning methods to computational imaging and sensing.
Qualifications
* High (1st or 2:1) honours degree in Physics or Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
* UK or home student status.
Benefits
The studentship covers tuition fees and stipend for 3 years.
For any enquiries about the project please e‑mail Dr. Mitchell Kenney (ezzmgk@nottingham.ac.uk).
References [1] L. Huang, S. Zhang, T. Zentgraf, “Metasurface holography: from fundamentals to applications,” Nanophotonics 7, 1169 (2018). [2] X. Zou, G. Zheng, Q. Yuan, et al., “Imaging Based on Metalenses,” PhotoniX 1 (2020). [3] M. Kenney, J. Grant, et al., “Large area metasurface lenses in the NIR region,” in Modeling Aspects in Optical Metrology VII, SPIE (June 2019).
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