About the Project
Two fully funded, 3.5 year PhD studentships will explore what happens when textbook assumptions about near-field waves are removed.
The scientific challenge
Near-fields --confined close to sources, interfaces and nanostructures-- can display three-dimensional polarisation, unexpected energy and momentum flows, topological textures, exact zeros, and unusual forces and torques. Yet they are normally studied as monochromatic, coherent waves in conventional, static media. ATLANTIS asks what emerges when those assumptions are broken.
ATLANTIS (Advanced Techniques in Light and Acoustic Near-fields: Time and Spatial structuring) is funded by a prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant, which supports ambitious frontier research and the strengthening of independent research teams.
A map for discovery
Rather than prescribing one narrow thesis, ATLANTIS uses an exploration grid crossing five scenarios: spatial structure; multiple frequencies and time structure; incoherence; unconventional materials; and moving or time-varying environments. Each student will shape a direction around their abilities, interests and emerging discoveries.
Possible starting points include:
- topological textures, singularities, skyrmions, knots, hotspots and zeros in structured near-fields;
- three-dimensional polarisation and chirality in bichromatic evanescent waves;
- surface-wave spatiotemporal vortices and ultrashort near-field pulses;
- nano-mechanics of structured near-fields, forces and torques on nanoparticles;
- unpolarised or incoherent near-fields;
- near-fields in anisotropic, hyperbolic, epsilon-near-zero, gain or loss media; and
- surface waves at moving or time-varying interfaces.
How you will work
Fundamental theory and computational exploration will be central. You will shape the science rather than execute a fixed plan: develop fast tools, explore boldly, and turn robust discoveries into experimentally testable ideas with collaborators. Electromagnetic near-fields are the main focus with acoustics as a substantial secondary direction. Experimental experience is not required.
Who we are looking for
Exceptional problem-solving ability is the central selection criterion. We welcome applicants from any scientific or technical background who demonstrate creativity, mathematical confidence, intellectual curiosity and an ability to tackle unfamiliar problems.
Applicants should hold a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree, or international equivalent, in a scientific, engineering, mathematical or other technical discipline. Candidates should be able to code in at least one language, such as Python or MATLAB. Prior experience in nanophotonics or experimental physics is not required.
The research environment
You will join the PACO Photonics Group, part of the Photonics & Nanotechnology Group in the Department of Physics at King’s College London, a research-intensive university in central London.
The core ATLANTIS team will include two postdoctoral researchers and the two PhD students recruited through this advert, within a wider team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Supervision will combine regular one-to-one and group meetings, emphasising scientific independence, rigorous reasoning, writing, presentation, visualisation and career development.
Preferred start dates are 1 October 2026 or 1 February 2027. Applications will be reviewed as received until both positions are filled.
Application process
To be considered for the position candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/areas/physics-research-mphil-phd.
Please apply for ‘Physics Research MPhil/PhD (full-time) programme' and indicate Dr Francisco Rodriguez Fortuno as the supervisor and quote the project title in your application and all correspondence.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Dr Francisco J. Rodríguez-Fortuño before applying, both to discuss the project and so that the formal application can be identified and followed promptly: francisco.rodriguez_fortuno@kcl.ac.uk
Please ensure to add ‘1029’ in the Funding section of the application form. Please select option 5 ‘I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London’ and type the code into the ‘Award Scheme Code or Name’ box. Please copy and paste the code exactly.
The selection process will involve a pre-selection on documents and, if selected, will be followed by an invitation to an interview. If successful at the interview, an offer will be provided in due course.
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