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

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 (O2 and 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. 

How to apply

If you have any questions, please contact the proposed Principal Supervisor, Dr Justyna Kulczyk-Malecka (J.Kulczyk-Malecka@mmu.ac.uk). 

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full time PhD in Engineering by clicking on the apply button above.

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the requested documents to pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk. 

Application closing date: Tuesday 17 November 2026

Expected start date: April 2027