PhD Studentship: Development of Intra-Red Thin Film Optoelectronic Devices

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend £21,805 per year

Home tuition fees covered (£5,238/year

Job summary

Manchester Metropolitan University invites applications for a funded PhD studentship focused on optoelectronic barrier coatings for infrared applications. The project aims to create Ge/GeOxNy multilayer structures with polymer layers to maintain high transmittance while blocking O2 and H2O.

The research will be conducted in the Surface Engineering Laboratory in the Dalton Building and at Brinell Vision Ltd in Irlam, offering exposure to both academic and industrial environments.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in engineering or materials science.
• Willing to learn new skills and conduct experiments safely.
• Ability to report verbally or in writing.

Responsibilities

• Work in the Surface Engineering Laboratory at Manchester Met and with Brinell Vision Ltd in Irlam, Manchester.
• Develop Ge/GeOxNy multilayer structures via magnetron sputtering and assess optical and barrier properties.
• Demonstrate durability of films and potential for new device generations.

Skills

Willing to learn new skills

Experiment execution and reporting

Education

Engineering/Materials Science degree

Postgraduate degree desirable

Job description

Optoelectronic devices, like thermal imaging cameras and night-vision sensors, require clear optical “windows” that allow infrared light to pass through while strictly blocking environmental oxygen and moisture, which degrade the sensitive internal components. Currently, the most effective moisture barriers use polymer materials, but these block infrared light. This project aims to solve this by creating a new type of multilayer filter, combining polymer layers with thin films of metals and ceramics, that will successfully block gases without sacrificing infrared transmission, directly benefiting the next generation of devices.

This project will appeal to a materials scientist/engineer who is excited by materials discovery, but also enthusiastic to see how their research can be translated into real-world devices. The work will take place in the Surface Engineering Laboratory in the Dalton Building at Manchester Met and at the premises of our industrial partner, Brinell Vision Ltd in Irlam, Manchester, giving the successful candidate experience of working in both academic and industrial facilities.

You will be supported by an experienced multidisciplinary supervisory team with access to state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with production, characterisation and testing facilities.

Objectives

There is a critical gap in the production of ultra-barrier encapsulation that maintains high optical transmission in the 1.5– 15 µm regime, a range vital for thermal imaging and night-vision technologies. Consequently, the objective of this project is to address this requirement for broad-spectrum, highly transmissive interference coatings that double as hermetic gas barriers (O2and H2O) for active optoelectronic elements operating in this range.

The specific aims are to develop Ge/GeOxNy multilayer structures, produced by magnetron sputtering, with the required optical properties and, by incorporating novel polymer layers, demonstrate that they exhibit the required durability for demanding applications and, furthermore, demonstrate that these structures can form the basis for new generations of optoelectronic devices.

Funding

Home students can apply only. Home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3-year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27.

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the year 2026/27.

Candidate requirements

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (first or upper second-class honours ) in engineering, materials science, or closely related subject
• Must be willing to learn new skills.
• Ability to undertake experiments accurately and safely and make verbal or written reports.

Desirable

• Relevant postgraduate (MEng, MSc, MSci, MRes, etc.) degree.
• Prior research project experience, especially in thin films production and testing or optical modelling.

Application closing date: Tuesday 17 November 2026

Expected start date: April 2027

£21,805 standard stipend payment plus £5,238 home tuition fees