Careers and studentships

We are seeking:

1 Optical Communications Researcher and 

2 Business Development posts.

 

We are certified a Great Place To Work. We are in the leading 100 companies, GPTW for Women, Wellbeing, Development and Professional Services.

 

1 We are seeking a researcher with expertise in signal processing for optical communications

Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Glasgow, G1 1RD, UK

Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) has a vacancy for an exciting, varied and challenging applied research and development position in photonics, lasers and optical systems, in particular for optical communications. We welcome applications from people at all stages of their career and we value our team being diverse in every way.

The first of the highly regarded Fraunhofer Research Centres to be based in the UK, Fraunhofer CAP specialises in undertaking applied R&D in a range of photonics themes. Based at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow city centre, Fraunhofer CAP’s main remit is to be a key partner to UK companies in the development of state-of-the-art products and processes that will enhance their competitiveness; beyond this we are proud that our work brings benefits to health, environment and society. We work across many sectors including telecommunications, space, security, quantum technology, energy, and medical.

We are a bright, engaging, welcoming, helpful team and want like-minded individuals who want to make a difference and really contribute. Your attitude and ambition are as important to us as any of the details below.

Candidates will most likely have a strong academic or industrial R&D record in optical and/or RF communications, signal processing, and photonics, and a demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and independently, to defined timescales, together with a commitment to commercially-orientated research and development. Candidates will have the ability to successfully manage R&D projects and work closely with industrial partners. They will play a key role in developing new project ideas, and help secure funding from industry, Innovate UK and the EU.

Applicants with experience in optical communications are encouraged to apply, particularly those with expertise in signal processing for wireless optical communication including both off-line and real-time digital signal processing, channel coding and timing synchronisation. The role will involve simulation, coding, and experimental tests of hardware. Experience with, or enthusiasm for, testing of systems in the field would be advantageous.

We hope for candidates who are sociable and professional, have strong oral and written communication skills and experience of applied R&D in an industrial or academic environment.

Fraunhofer CAP offers a competitive salary and attractive university-like conditions, including generous holidays, pension provision, maternity leave, nursery access etc. Salary will be commensurate with the levels of appointment.

In the first instance, if you consider that you might match these requirements, please send a CV and covering letter (all as one PDF file, with the filename format SurnameINITIAL_2026OCR.PDF in confidence via the 'Apply' button above (E: hr@fraunhofer.co.uk). 

Please include in your letter ‘I agree that you may keep my CV on file for two calendar years in order to be considered for future positions.’, if you so wish.

Application closing date: 4pm, 12th September 2026.

 

2 Business Development positions

Two full-time posts

Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Glasgow

We are a bright, engaging, welcoming, helpful team and want like-minded individuals who want to make a difference and really contribute. Your attitude and ambition are as important to us as any of the details below.

We welcome applications from people at all stages of their career and we value our team being diverse in every way.

The first of the highly regarded Fraunhofer Research Centres to be based in the UK, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), is part of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd, a not-for-profit Research and Technology Organisation.  Created in 2012 as part of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft network, and for the benefit of the UK economy, Fraunhofer CAP specialises in undertaking applied R&D in a range of photonics themes. Based in Glasgow city centre, Fraunhofer CAP’s main remit is to be a key partner to UK companies in the development of state-of-the-art products and processes.

 

Due to planned growth we are seeking  enthusiastic and entrepreneurial 2 Business Development professionals to help build our industrial contracts portfolio and assist in winning collaborative project competitions.

 

Reporting to senior business development colleagues, you will have the following attributes:

 

·         A degree in Physics / Engineering is essential.

·         Experience of industrial Research and Development in products and processes is preferred.

·         Knowledge of practical photonics in industry is preferred.

·         Ability to scope new market sectors and match need with capability.

·         Experience of sales and marketing are preferred.

·         Experience of academic research is preferred.

·         Knowledge of funding mechanisms and processes is desirable.

·         Experience of reviewing InnovateUK and EU applications is advantageous.

·         An understanding of IP issues in collaborative and contract research is preferred.

 

You must have very strong oral and written communication skills including:

·         Listening.  To understand customer needs and wants.

·         Engaging personally with companies.

·         Presenting confidently at all levels.

·         Ability to write concise and convincing project proposals.

·         Preparing marketing materials, case studies and web and social media content.

 

You will be responsible for securing steady growth in income from industry.  You will be expected to make a contribution to business strategy and resource planning; working closely with research, finance and administrative colleagues.

 

Knowledge of technology transfer mechanisms, contacts with decision makers in a variety of sectors and a strong desire to ‘close deals’ are highly desirable.

 

Significant travel will be required as part of the role, around the UK and with visits/exhibitions in Europe and worldwide. A full UK driving licence is preferred

 

This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual, to help develop the UK profile and delivery of Europe’s largest and most effective RTO through a period of sustained growth.

You will have a demonstrable ability to work independently, to defined timescales, together with a commitment to commercially-orientated research and development. You will possess the ability to successfully secure direct contracts from industry, and collaborative R&D competitions.

 

Fraunhofer CAP offers a competitive salary and very attractive conditions, including generous pension and holiday provision, which will be commensurate with the level of appointment.

 

 

 

In the first instance, if you consider that you match some of these requirements, please send a two-page max CV, with a one-page max. letter, all as a single PDF with your name in the filename,  explaining why you would succeed in the role, in confidence to:

HR@fraunhofer.co.uk    Application closing date: 4pm, 12th September 2026.

 

We welcome speculative applications for Staff, doctoral studentships, and summer internships at any time of year.

 

(we have a number of places for undergraduate students of physics, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, software engineering; typically after third year of studies or later.)

 

 

 

STAFF

New Positions will be advertised in 2026.

We are certified a Great Place To Work. We are in the leading 100 companies, GPTW for Women, Wellbeing, Development and Professional Services.

 

 

 

 

STUDENTSHIPS  (NEW published December 2025 for 2026 start dates) 

 

We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Speculative enquiries for postgraduate research studentships are always welcome (see contact details at the bottom)

PhD and EngD Studentships

There are currently 17 places advertised:

• 7 places at the Applied Photonics CDT  and
• 7 places at the Applied Quantum Technologies (Strathclyde) CDT
• 1 place with University of Exeter
• 2 further studentships aligned with the University of Strathclyde

(see individual project titles and links below)

 

About us:

The first of the highly regarded Fraunhofer Research Centres to be based in the UK, Fraunhofer CAP specialises in undertaking applied R&D in a range of photonics themes. Based in Glasgow, Fraunhofer CAP’s main remit is to be a key partner to UK companies in the development of state-of-the-art products and processes which will enhance their competitiveness.

We are a bright, engaging, welcoming, helpful and diverse team and offer a competitive edge when it comes to further career progression through the following:

•       Work in a world-class, well-funded and well-appointed research hub, within the innovation district of Glasgow City Centre

•       Learn from a talented collaborative, multidisciplinary team of international colleagues – through interaction with other projects and students bridging experimental fabrication, simulation, and device testing

•       The opportunity to develop commercial skills - business development, innovation, leadership through exposure to commercial project partners and programmes

•       Wider opportunities to travel and present your research activities internationally

We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Fraunhofer UK is a friendly and encouraging, ”Great Place to Work” accredited workplace with high rankings for ‘Development’ and ‘Women’.

We are looking for candidates:

·         With a Masters level degree (MEng, MPhys, MSc) at 2.1 or equivalent in Physics or relevant Engineering subject

·         A desire to work collegiately, be involved in outreach, undertake taught and professional skills study

·         Who have a desire to work in an R&D environment facing complex experimental problems including numerical and computational modelling, material processing, mechanical engineering, and optical source design, development and characterisation

·         Professional with demonstrable oral and written communications skills and a desire to interact with potential external and commercial technology end-users

 

We value curious and enthusiastic candidates who want to engage in a career in R&D and we have a wide range of exciting topics to be explored including:

 

Quantum and integrated optics

Neuromorphic Photonic-Electronic Technologies for Sensing and In-Sensor Processing Systems

o   Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Integrated Quantum Light Sources

o   Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Enhancement of quantum random number generators performance using photonic AI

o   Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Unbreakable Photonics-based Encryption Using Hybrid Electronic-optical Systems

                                     https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduateresearchphdopportunities/science/physics/unbreakablephotonics-basedencryptionusinghybridelectronic-opticalsystems/

 

Diode-pumped Alkali Lasers for Quantum Sensing

• Link to follow
• Contact Fraunhofer CAP directly  hr@fraunhofer.co.uk

 

Advanced Light Sources

Sculpting Light: Femtosecond Laser Inscription and Chemical Etching of Laser Gain Media

                                o https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-engineering-engd-sculpting-light-femtosecond-laser-inscription-and-chemical-etching-of-laser-gain-media-fraunhofer-and-university-of-strathclyde/?p181930

Colloidal Quantum Dot Supracrystals for Bright Microscopic Light Sources

                                o Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Ultra-stable, Ultra-violet Lasers for Next Generation Atomic Clocks;

                                o Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

 

Sensing and communications

Integrated Communication, Sensing and Localization Using Photonics Technologies for Future Networks

                                o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-philosophy-phd-photonics-enabled-integrated-optical-wireless-communication-sensing-and-localization-for-future-networks-fraunhofer-and-university-of-strathclyde/?p117222

High-Speed Micro-LEDs for Classical and Quantum Communications

                                o  Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Pushing the Frontier of Ultrasensitive On-chip Sensing - Advanced Metamaterials for Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) Sensing

                                o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/pushing-the-frontier-of-ultrasensitive-on-chip-sensing-advanced-metamaterials-for-surface-enhanced-infrared-absorption-seira-sensing/?p192410

Next-Generation Underwater Optical Wireless Communication (UOWC) and Sensing

                                o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-engineering-engd-next-generation-underwater-optical-wireless-communication-uowc-and-sensing-fraunhofer-and-university-of-strathclyde/?p118188

Quantum-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Advanced Molecular Sensing

                                o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-engineering-engd-quantum-enhanced-raman-spectroscopy-for-advanced-molecular-sensing-fraunhofer-centre-for-applied-photonics-and-university-of-strathclyde/?p138713

Hybrid Manufacturing of Photonic Devices for Advanced Sensing Applications

                                o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-engineering-engd-hybrid-manufacturing-of-photonic-devices-for-advanced-sensing-applications-fraunhofer-and-heriot-watt-university/?p129511

Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy in Hollow Core Fibre

                                 o   https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/doctor-of-engineering-engd-hollow-core-fibre-raman-spectroscopy-for-advanced-molecular-sensing-fraunhofer-and-university-of-strathclyde/?p129229

Quantum Sensing for Optical Monitoring Applications in the Marine Environmen

                                    o Search for the title at https://www.aqt.ac.uk/programme/phd-projects/

Underwater or Advanced Applications of LIBS

• Link to follow
• Contact Fraunhofer CAP directly  hr@fraunhofer.co.uk

Some of our newest students have spent years in industry before deciding to take on the next step of their education, equally new graduates are welcome.

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Speculative applications are welcome at any time please send a CV in confidence to:

Head of HR

Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd

Level 5
Technology and Innovation Centre
99 George St,
Glasgow G1 1RD
UK

E-mail: hr@fraunhofer.co.uk