Overview
Are you passionate about developing novel research and keen to shape the future of energy transfer technologies in areas such as, laser interactions, plasma physics, RF technologies, materials science and engineering? The project will focus on developing novel plasma coating for photodiode devices. We are recruiting a motivated PhD candidate to undertake an exciting project within the EPSRC Energy Transfer Technologies Doctoral Training Hub. This project is co- funded by DSTL.
About this opportunity
Photodiodes and other optoelectronic sensing devices are increasingly required to operate reliably in harsh environments, including energy generation, industrial processing, and defence-related settings. In these applications, devices may be exposed to radiation, thermal cycling, moisture ingress, and corrosive chemical attack, all of which can degrade performance, shorten operational lifetime, and compromise measurement integrity. Conventional passivation and protective coating methods (e.g. high-temperature or vacuum-based deposition) can be difficult to implement on sensitive devices or complex assemblies, and may be unsuitable for low-cost, scalable manufacturing or retrofit deployment.
This PhD project will develop atmospheric, low-temperature plasma polymerisation (LTAPP) as a flexible and deployable route to producing passivation and protective coatings for photodiodes, deposited under ambient conditions. The research will investigate how plasma process parameters and precursor chemistries can be engineered to deliver coatings with enhanced barrier performance, corrosion resistance, radiation tolerance, and mechanical durability, while maintaining optical compatibility and preserving device responsivity. Coating strategies will be assessed for their impact on key photodiode performance metrics including dark current, stability, spectral response, and long-term drift.
Potential application areas include radiation-resilient photodetection, robust optical sensing for industrial monitoring and process control, and protective coatings for photodiode-based instrumentation used in nuclear, aerospace, and defence environments. The student will undertake a multidisciplinary programme of work encompassing plasma process development and diagnostics, surface and materials characterisation (e.g. FTIR, XPS, SEM/AFM), accelerated ageing and irradiation testing, and photodiode performance benchmarking.
The outcomes will include improved understanding of coating formation mechanisms and degradation pathways, alongside prototype passivated photodiode demonstrators and guidance for future scale-up and deployment.
The Hub
The Doctoral Hub specialises in developing research and training the next generation of leaders in energy transfer technologies for defence and related sectors. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Liverpool and throughout their PhD will benefit from the support and expertise of our diverse academic community, a community of students working towards similar goals, as well as our specialist industrial network.
Why Join Us?
- Industrial Collaboration: Each PhD student within the Hub is partnered with an industry collaborator, providing placement opportunities to work and train alongside industry experts
- Comprehensive Training: The Hub offers a blend of academic and industrial training, preparing you for diverse career pathways in research or industry
- Cohort Experience: Build your research network through inclusion in a vibrant cohort of PhD students that conduct research with academic leaders across leading UK institutions. Engage in online and face-to-face activities, including cohort-building events and collaborative learning exercises
- Funding: A generous fully funded studentship (no fees and a monthly personal payment) with additional support for conferences, travel, training, consumables and extended placement with industry collaborators.
Key Details
- Host Institution: University of Liverpool
- Industry Partner: DSTL
- PhD Duration: 4 years
- Start Date: 1st October 2026
- Enhanced stipend of £25,805
The industrial partner, [DSTL Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – GOV.UK], is a leading UK government organisation at the forefront of defence and security research, with interests including advanced sensing, optoelectronics, and materials technologies for operation in challenging environments. The partner will provide PhD supervision, a placement and be part of the larger Hub community benefiting from the diverse academic and industrial network offered by the Hub.
Please check the hub website for further details: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/doctoral-training/energy-transfer-technologies/