PhD in Electrical Engineering

This project will investigate novel semiconductor technologies to underpin next-generation advanced connectivity systems, including transition to photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for telecoms and non-terrestrial networks (NTN). The aim is to design and characterise a prototype semiconductor device tailored for high-bandwidth, high performance connectivity in future network infrastructure. The research will employ a combination of semiconductor device modelling, semiconductor simulation (by imec), electrical/optical characterisation, and system-level simulation of link performance. The work will also include techno-economic assessment, steered by imec, to situate the device within the ecosystem described in the UK's Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT) plan. The research will combine computational design, experiments, and system-level evaluation in a phased approach, focusing particularly on novel devices such as optical beam steering in PIC with CMOS-based control as a critical enabler for advanced connectivity. The project aims to develop a working proof-of-concept semiconductor design that demonstrates enhanced performance metrics (e.g., data-rate, power-efficiency) compared to current state-of-the-art as well as new capabilities such as electrical beam steering and integrated CMOS control. The project will deliver academic publications, a patent-ready device concept and an industry-focused deployment roadmap. Location: Cambridge, University of Cambridge.