The EPSRC Industrial Doctorate Centre in Optics and Photonics Technologies exists to produce doctoral graduates with the technical and business skills needed to become industrial research leaders in this fast-moving area.  Funding comes principally from the EPSRC, with a minority contribution from industry.

Together  with our industrial partners we provide commercially-focused, Engineering Doctorate training across an expansive range of technologies in optics and photonics.

Ten fully-funded places are available each year for suitably qualified candidates who meet our eligibility criteria.  The EngD degree programme lasts for 4 years, and our doctoral students – known as Research Engineers – receive an annual stipend of £20,090 (currently tax-free).  During the programme, Research Engineers take 180 credits (1 year full-time effort) of technical and business taught courses, spending their remaining time on industrially-based research.

The Industrial Doctorate Centre in Optics and Photonics Technologies is a collaboration between Heriot-Watt, Glasgow, St Andrews and Strathclyde Universities. With 350 members we are the largest academic body of optics and photonics researchers in the UK.  We are one of eighteen EPSRC-funded Industrial Doctorate Centres.