Centre for Applied PhotonicsCareers and studentships
New opportunites
We are seeking a researcher with expertise in photonics
We are certified a Great Place To Work. We are in the leading 100 companies, GPTW for Women, Wellbeing, Development and Professional Services.
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Glasgow, G1 1RD, UK
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) has several vacancies for exciting, varied and challenging applied research and development positions in photonics, lasers and optical systems. 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 wind energy, quantum technology, space, medical, security.
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 photonics or optoelectronics 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 any area of photonics are encouraged to apply, particularly those with expertise in integrated optics, high-power laser systems, optical design, or quantum technologies (networking, sensing, and computing).
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 we might be well suited to each other, please send a CV and covering letter (all as one PDF file, with the filename format SurnameINITIAL_websa_2026.PDF in confidence (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, Friday 26th June 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
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
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
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
Next-Generation Underwater Optical Wireless Communication (UOWC) and Sensing
Quantum-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Advanced Molecular Sensing
Hybrid Manufacturing of Photonic Devices for Advanced Sensing Applications
Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy in Hollow Core Fibre
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
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Glasgow,UK
PhD and EngD STUDENTSHIPS
Speculative enquiries for postgraduate research studentships are always welcome.
INFORMATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING POSITIONS
The Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) will have vacancies for a number of technical staff at various levels of experience to take an active and immediate part in the Fraunhofer CAP’s programme of cutting edge research and development activities in photonics at the industrial interface.
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.
Candidates for a more senior research position in Fraunhofer CAP will have a strong academic or industrial R&D record in laser applications and/or sensor development and a demonstrable ability to work independently, to defined timescales, together with a commitment to commercially-orientated research and development. These candidates will possess the ability to successfully manage R&D projects as well as providing R&D leadership to junior researchers and postgraduate students, and play a key role in developing a research group and securing funding from industry, Innovate UK and the EU.
Candidates for more junior positions will recently have completed their PhD in a relevant topic and have the potential to become project leaders and, ultimately, research leaders.
Experience of one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: Solid-state or semiconductor lasers, laser spectroscopy, optical metrology, laser micromachining or laser-based additive manufacturing, biomedical applications of lasers, laser-based sensor systems, laser-based optical communications, laser-based optical data storage
All candidates must have strong oral and written communication skills and experience of applied R&D in an academic or industrial environment.
Fraunhofer CAP offers a competitive salary and very attractive conditions, including generous pension provision, which will be commensurate with the level of appointment.
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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
We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
A responsible business
Fraunhofer CAP has joined the Race to Zero, promotes fair business practices, Fair Work First, Opening Up Photonics, encourages inclusion, diversity, equality and accessability in STEM and in all roles.
