physics phd heriot watt

Quantum Photonics Laboratory

• Introduction
• III-V Quantum dots
• 2D materials
• Silicon Carbide
• Rare earth ions doped insulators
• Learning Quantum Systems
• Quantum Sensing
• Scientific Software
• Publications
• Atomic Architects
• SiC Quantum Spintronics
• 2D Fab Facility
• “Nanoscale Quantum Sensing” facility

Principal investigators

Prof. Brian Gerardot

Professor, raeng chair in emerging technology.

Prof. Cristian Bonato

Professor, epsrc early-career fellow.

Dr Margherita Mazzera

Associate professor & epsrc fellow.

Dr Mauro Brotons-Gisbert

Royal society university research fellow.

Dr Christiaan Bekker

Royal academy of engineering fellow, project manager.

Project Manager

Dr Johan van der Westhuizen

Research associate.

Dr Byeong Wook, Cho

Dr George Kourmoulakis

Dr Federico Belliardo

Dr Zeeshan Babar

Dr Antoine Borel

Dr Nicholas Werren

Dr Pasquale Cilibrizzi

Dr Muhammad Junaid Arshad

Experimental officer for the quantum magnetometry facility, phd students.

Stewart Wallace

Phd student.

Finley Giles-Book

Kieran McGovern

Engd student.

Tatyana Ivanova

Issam Belgacem

Bibi Mary Francis

Sheena Shaji

Frederik Brooke Barnes

Sean Keenan

Shivani Bisht

Prokhor tkhor.

Sachin Pradhan

Stefan Todd

Meysam Setodeh Kheirabady

Daniel Forbes

Master students, former members.

Former members can be found here .

• Help & FAQ

View Scopus Profile

Anna Erika Elisabeth Andersson

• Professor , School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
• Professor , School of Engineering & Physical Sciences , Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences

United Kingdom

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research interests, research group contact details.

Quantum Optics and Quantum Information

Fingerprint

• 7 Similar Profiles
• Quantum Dot Physics 100%
• quantum entanglement INIS 90%
• security INIS 80%
• qubits INIS 76%
• quantum states INIS 74%
• Quantum Measurement Physics 72%
• Digital Signature Computer Science 69%
• information INIS 63%

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Dive into details.

Select a country/territory to view shared publications and projects

Research output

• 14 Conference contribution

Research output per year

Error-tolerant oblivious transfer in the noisy-storage model

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

• storage 100%
• errors 100%
• Storage Model 100%
• Quantum Cryptography 100%
• Error Correction 100%

Experimental demonstration of optimal unambiguous two-out-of-four quantum state elimination

• Quantum Theory 100%
• Quantum Measurement 100%
• Degree of Freedom 100%
• Optical Path 100%
• Optical Polarization 100%

Non-interactive XOR quantum oblivious transfer: optimal protocols and their experimental implementations

• probability 100%
• implementation 100%
• And-States 100%
• Building-Blocks 100%
• Pure State 100%

Quantum cryptography beyond quantum key distribution: variants of quantum oblivious transfer

Research output : Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

• distribution 100%
• quantum cryptography 100%
• quantum states 100%
• Quantum Key Distribution 100%
• Transmitter 100%

Unconditionally secure digital signatures implemented in an eight-user quantum network

• origin 100%
• length 100%
• performance 100%
• quantum entanglement 100%
• forging 100%

Dataset for Experimental transmission of quantum digital signatures over 90-km of installed optical fiber using a differential phase shift quantum key distribution system

Collins, R. J. (Creator), Amiri, R. (Creator), Fujiwara, M. (Creator), Honjo, T. (Creator), Tamaki, K. (Creator), Takeoka, M. (Creator), Andersson, A. E. E. (Creator), Buller, G. S. (Creator) & Sasaki, M. (Creator), Heriot-Watt University, 14 Sept 2014

DOI : 10.17861/e9601420-6e29-423c-9bbd-04f3caee5820

Dataset for "Experimental demonstration of quantum digital signatures over 43 dB channel loss using differential phase shift quantum key distribution"

Collins, R. J. (Creator), Amiri, R. (Owner), Fujiwara, M. (Owner), Honjo, T. (Contributor), Shimizu, K. (Contributor), Tamaki, K. (Contributor), Takeoka, M. (Contributor), Sasaki, M. (Supervisor), Andersson, A. E. E. (Supervisor) & Buller, G. S. (Supervisor), Heriot-Watt University, 1 May 2017

DOI : 10.17861/7c97c071-02b6-45de-b074-d96c87e9e207

Dataset for "Experimental demonstration of kilometer­ range quantum digital signatures"

Donaldson, R. J. (Creator), Collins, R. J. (Creator), Kleczkowska, K. (Creator), Amiri, R. (Creator), Wallden, P. (Creator), Dunjko, V. (Creator), Jeffers, J. (Creator), Andersson, A. E. E. (Creator) & Buller, G. S. (Creator), Heriot-Watt University, 8 Jan 2016

DOI : 10.17861/a10d9898-9a3c-4a9e-8d3f-2c0995c7310f

Beyond Binary Quantum Information

Group Leader

Prof. Mehul Malik

Professor of Physics and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS), Heriot-Watt University

Email: m.malik(at)hw.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0) 131 4518117 Office: David Brewster building, Room 2.08

Mehul was born in New Delhi, India. After completing his PhD in Optics at the University of Rochester, NY in the group of Robert W Boyd, he spent five fruitful years in Vienna as a Marie Curie fellow in the group of Anton Zeilinger and a senior postdoctoral fellow in the group of Marcus Huber at IQOQI Vienna. Outside of physics, Mehul is passionate about science communication and issues of gender diversity and researcher mobility in academia. He is an avid cook and enjoys exploring BBQ cuisines from around the world at the annual BBQLab BBQ. He is a keen backcountry skier, loves art+film+music, and is not shy on the dance floor. In his spare time, he can be found exploring the many beautiful hills around Edinburgh and spending time with his wife and two amazing kids!

Research Associates

Dr. Will McCutcheon

Senior Research Associate Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS), Heriot-Watt University

Email: w.mccutcheon(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room G.03/G.35

Will joined our emerging team in 2019 following his PhD (2017) and several years post-doc in University of Bristol, Quantum Engineering Technology Labs with Prof John Rarity FRS and the quantum information group. There he developed his background in nonlinear quantum photonics in fibers and integrated optics as well as quantum information theory, and since has been applying these methods to high-dimensional systems, their characterisation and applications in quantum communication/networking settings. As an on-going programme committee member for the conference ‘Q-turn: Changing paradigms in quantum information science’, UCU member, and past role of EDI session chair at Bristol Quantum Information Technologies conference he champions academic cultural principles around workers’ rights and inclusion. Out of the office, Will can be found (and heard) in front of pianos and drumkits at open jams, and seen rolling, jumping and flipping around parks on his skateboard.

Dr. Natalia Herrera Valencia

Research Associate Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS), Heriot-Watt University

Email: n.herrera_valencia(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room G.03/G.35

Natalia is from Bogotá, Colombia. She obtained her B.Sc in Physics from the National University of Colombia, gained her M.Sc in Photonics with the Europhotonics Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program, and got her PhD at BBQ Lab in 2023. Her research interests include finding novel ways to generate, characterise, and manipulate complex quantum states of light. Natalia feels passionate about the importance of diversity and equality in science. She is one of the founders of Red de Fisicas Unal, a network that seeks to connect, support and promote Colombian women in Physics. She also tries to get involved in projects in the UK that seek to tackle the challenges that underrepresented groups face when working in STEM. When she’s not doing science, Natalia enjoys swimming, cooking, binge-watching TV shows, listening to inspiring podcasts, and going to charity shops.

Dr. Vatshal Srivastav

Research Associate, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS), Heriot-Watt University

Email: vs54(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room G.03/G.37

Vatshal comes from Prayagraj, a city of multiple histories in India. He survived his B.S. and M.S. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. His interest in issues of access and privilege in education rivals his passion for physics. He volunteers with SwaTaleem, a non-profit initiative that offers high-quality education to underrepresented women. His diary is full of paintings of Edinburgh, interspersed with chess-notation and grandma recipes. You can quiz him on quantum steering, high-dimensional entanglement, and spatial correlations.

Dr. Fiona Fleming

JPL Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Email: f.fleming(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room 2.07

Fiona was born in Melrose in the Scottish Borders in 1991. She grew up in Berwickshire on the South-east coast of Scotland and completed her undergraduate degree at Heriot-Watt University, graduating in 2015 with an MPhys (Hons). In October 2015 she began her PhD in the Nonlinear Optics Group at Heriot-Watt University working on the development of compact high repetition rate mid-IR solid-state lasers. On completion of her PhD in October 2019, Fiona joined the Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt as a Postdoctoral Researcher where she is now studying infrared single-photon counting using integrated Ge-on-Si SPADs (single-photon avalanche detectors). In her spare time Fiona enjoys hiking, watching football and tennis, reading and baking. She is currently representing the Single-Photon Group and BBQLab as a visiting postdoc working on superconducting detector arrays at JPL and Caltech in Los Angeles, CA.

Doctoral Students

PhD Student, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS), Heriot-Watt University

Email: gs74(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room G.06B/G.35

Primarily from New Delhi, Suraj has stayed in and experienced almost all corners of India. He comes from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi where he completed his B.Tech in Engineering Physics. He loves to do cool experiments with photons. Although he comes up with a new hobby every few months, outside the lab you can find him making circuits that automate different parts of his home, or doing some shiny night sky photography at the moment. One can also find him fantasizing about some amazing eastern philosophies on life and reality!

Sophie Engineer

PhD Student, Bristol Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training and IPAQS, Heriot-Watt University

Email: se2008(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room 1.56D

Sophie joined the BBQLab after her first year in the Quantum Engineering CDT at the University of Bristol. Before that, she completed a masters degree in mathematics at the same university. She is interested in quantum thermodynamics, understanding the quantum-to-classical transition and applications of this in complex media. Although Bristol has a firm place in her heart, she is excited to move to Edinburgh and experience the city’s gothic architecture and explore the surrounding Pentlands. Besides physics, she enjoys upcycling and creating her own clothes as well as other crafts, cycling and yoga.

Dylan Danese

Email: dd52(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room 1.56D/G.37

After completing both of his undergrad research projects with us (BSc and MSc) in Physics here at Heriot-Watt, Dylan was impressed enough that he decided to join our lab as a PhD student in 2022. He’s Swedish-Welsh, having grown up in the city of Gothenburg he is already used to the cold of Edinburgh. His research interests and learning lie mainly in manipulating quantum optical systems with complex media. He enjoys biking around Edinburgh and exploring food from all over the world both by cooking and eating.

Daniel Sabogal

Email: drs2002(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room G.03/G.37

Daniel is from Colombia, where he completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics at the University of Los Andes. Daniel enjoys learning about multi-photon interferometers and spending time in the lab. In his free time, Daniel often goes cycling around the mountains to find beautiful landscapes to admire, cooks classical Colombian recipes, explores new places, and watches some TV sitcoms.

Mariana Annameng Ma

Email: mma2024(at)hw.ac.uk Office: David Brewster building, Room 1.56D/G.35

Mariana, also known as Maannameng（马安那蒙), is originally from the historic city of Xi’an in China. She moved to Argentina in 2008 with her family, and completed her master’s in physics at the University of Buenos Aires. She spans her interest from multipartite entanglement in high dimensions, to its applications in quantum communication. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Chinese food, hiking, sewing and recycling clothes, and many other things. She is excited to begin a new adventure at Edinburgh, to find the best bubble tea in the city, meeting new people, and to learn many other skills in life, just in case quantum physics doesn’t work out.

Undergraduate Students

Athena SWAN Summer Scholarship Student, 2023 Heriot-Watt University

Email: [email protected]

Philipp Oleynik

Undergrad Summer Student, 2023 Heriot-Watt University

Email: [email protected]

Samuel Donachie

Visiting scholar, Summer 2024 Sorbonne Université

Email: samuel.donachie(at)etu.sorbonne-universite.fr

Xavier Toisoul

Visiting scholar, Spring 2024 École Centrale de Marseille

Email: xavier.toisoul(at)centrale-med.fr

Kesini Chumphuthong

Visiting scholar, Spring 2024 Prince of Songkla University

Email: dai.opw27 (at)gmail.com

Dr. Rebeca Tudor

Scientific Researcher IMT Bucharest, Romania

Email: rebeca.2dor(at)gmail.com

Dr. Hugo Defienne

CNRS Researcher and ERC Grantee Sorbonne University, Paris

Email: hugo.defienne(at)insp.upmc.fr

Florian Brandt

Visiting Scholar, Summer 2018 Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI), Vienna

Email: florian.brandt(at)oeaw.ac.at

Dr. Sabine Wollmann, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, 2021-23

Dr. Saroch Leedumrongwatthanakun, Research Associate, 2020-23 Current Position: Lecturer, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Gaia Sottimano, 4th Year Project Student, 2022-23

Lily Taylor, 4th Year Project Student, 2022-23

Nathan Graham, 4th Year Project Student, 2022-23

Louis Ferreira, 4th Year Project Student, 2021-22

Euan Mackay, 4th Year Project Student, 2020-21, IPAQS Summer Scholarship, 2020

Dylan Danese, 4th Year Project Student, 2020-21

Pippa Holroyd, Athena SWAN Summer Scholarship Student, 2020

Clara Flegel, IPAQS Summer Scholarship Student, 2019

Sean Condy, 4th Year Project Student, 2019-20

Share this:

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

• Publications

We are the q uantum t heory t eam led by Prof Erik Gauger at Heriot-Watt University.

To learn more please scroll down or use the site menu.

find out more

About our research

We study harnessing quantum mechanical properties of nanostructures and light. We are motivated by wishing to better understand the physical world, as well as enabling novel types of technologies:

Unlocking the ultimate limits of energy efficiency requires a physical understanding at level of single quanta of energy.

Information

Information processing in the quantum world offers fascinating non-classical advantages.

Quantum systems are fragile, and this can exploited for probing the environment.

Interactions with single quantum systems represents an exciting frontier and new access to visualing samples.

Group members

Prof erik m gauger.

Group leader, Professor of Theoretical Physics in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciendes at Heriot-Watt, and Member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland.

Google Scholar

Dr Moritz Cygorek

Moritz is a senior Research Associate working on efficient and exact simulations of nanoscale quantum devices, as part of a joint project with collaborators at St Andrews.

Dr Nicholas Werren

Nick's main home is now the Quantum Photonics Labs but he also remains an active associate member of qtt, continuing his work on biological and bio-inspired quantum light-harvesting.

Dr Dominic Branford

is interested in quantum-enhanced (optical) sensing, imaging and metrology.

Hannah Scott

explores protocols for quantum metrology, studying both optical setups and spin sensors.

works on designing and engineeing photonic samples. He is jointly supervised with Luca Sapienza and Rob Benett from Glasgow and his main home is the Integrated Quantum Photonics Group

Zia Muhammad

currently works on dispersive, waveguide-assisted read out of double quantum dots. He is jointly supervised with Brendon Lovett and based at St Andrews.

Jindrich "Henry" Hajek

Henry's main interest is the learning of non-Markovian open systems dynamics from experimental data.

Priyankar Banerjee

researches experimentally measurable signatures of (collective) quantum effects in biological and bio-inspired nano-emitters.

David Craig

explores approaches for understanding, controlling, and optimising solid-state quantum devices using machine learning. He is primarily based in Oxford in the Natalia Ares Group .

Lily Anderson

investigates quantum effects in the light matter interaction of strongly coupled systems with applicaitons for light-harvesting.

Julian Wiercinski

is working on understanding the properties of strongly coupled indistinguishable quantum emitters and absorbers.

Stewart Wallace

uses Bayesian inference for Lindbladian learning from measured data. He is jointly supervised with Cristian Bonato from the Quantum Photonics Lab .

Collaborative network

• Dr Jakub Sowa, Univeristy of Texas
• Prof Nir Keren, Prof Yossi Paltiel, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Prof Daniele Faccio FRSE, Dr Niclas Westerberg, Glasgow University
• Dr Giuseppe Luca Celardo, LENS, Florence
• Dr Luca Sapienza, Glasgow University
• Prof Brendon Lovett, Dr Jonathan Keeling, University of St Andrews
• Prof Simon Benjamin, Prof Andrew Briggs, Prof Harry Andersson FRS, University of Oxford
• Prof Tom Stace, University of Queensland
• Dr Ivan Kassal, University of Sydney
• Dr Jan Mol, Queen Mary London
• Dr Edward Laird, Lancaster
• Dr Rafael Gomez-Bombarelli, Massachusett's Institute of Technology
• Dr Ahsan Nazir, Photon Sciences Institute, Manchester
• Prof Florian Mintert, Imperial College London
• Dr Felix Pollock, formerly Monash University Melbourne
• Dr Neill Lambert, RIKEN Japan

Group alumni

• Dr Dominic Branford - now back with us
• Dr Niclas Westerberg - now Postdoctoral Research Fellow (1851) at Glasgow University, UK
• Ms Nicole Farrier - now at BAE Systems, UK
• Dr Alexandre Coates - now an analyst for the Civil Service of the UK
• Dr Scott Davidson - now Senior Tech Lead at StackHPC, UK
• Dr Berke Ricketti - now Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Lethbridge, Canada
• Dr Dominic Rouse - now EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow at the University of Glasgow, UK
• Dr William Brown - now working on Commodity Corporate Exotics and Solutions at BNP Paribas, UK
• Dr Jakub Sowa - now Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas, US
• Dr Eleanor Dale Scerri - now Junior Technical Artist at Ubisoft Blue Byte, Germany
• Dr Amir Fruchtman - now Senior Algorithm Engineer at SAIPS, Israel
• Dr Kieran Higgins - now Big Data Software Engineer, US
• Dr George Knee - now Software Engineer at Magmo, UK / US
• Dr Marcus Schaffry - now Business Solutions and Support Engineer, European Patent Office, Germany
• Mr Jindrich Hajek (MPhys)
• Ms Laura Rintoul (MPhys)
• Mr Martin Damynov (MPhys)
• Ms Jemma Callaghan (MPhys)
• Ms Romane Moulin (MPhys)
• Mr Jamie Nash (MPhys)
• Ms Alicia Fallows (BSc Hons)
• Mr Robert Hay (MPhys)
• Mr Robert Chirnside (BSc Hons)
• Dr Filip Auksztol (MMat)
• ACE: open systems
• Quantum batteries
• Bunching for imaging
• Scavenging heat
• Single e- hopping
• Guide-sliding
• Molecular devices
• Bunch to boost
• Quantum photocells
• Playing science: Orbs
• Superabsorption
• Diamond sensors
• Gainless amplification

Quantum birds

Automated Compression of Environment(s) : We have developed a powerful general purpose tool for the numerically exact simulation of open quantum systems, including in the presence of multiple and non-Gaussian environments.

Demonstrating superabsorption of large numbers of organic molecules represents an important step toward developing a prototype of a Dicke quantum batttery.

With collaborators from Delft and Oxford, we have provided the first simultaneously recorded full mapping of the thermoelectric properties of a single molecule.

We contributed to the study Understanding resonant charge transport through weakly coupled single-molecule junctions in Nature Communications, which tests our recent work Beyond Marcus theory and the Landauer-Büttiker approach in molecular junctions: A unified framework .

Our work on Light-harvesting with guide-slide superabsorbing condensed-matter nanostructures was selected for a Supplemental Cover in the The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Our study shows that superabsorbing light-harvesting should indeed be achievable, even with antennae consisting of noisy condensed matter nanostructures.

Our paper in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters shows how quantum interference in spiro-conjugated molecules could lead to attractive components for functional molecular circuits. Earlier work on single molecule junctions in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics translates the celebrated mechanism of Environment-Assisted Quantum Transport (ENAQT) from energy to charge transfer processes.

In our publication Attosecond-Resolution Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometry we demonstrate that a Fisher-information informed protocol improves experimental HOM sensitivity by factor ∼100 and makes it comparable to classical phase-sensitive interferometry.

Quantum-enhanced light-harvesting

Our paper Photocell Optimization Using Dark State Protection , concerned with beating the famous Shockley-Queisser limit for light harvesting by exploiting collective quantum mechanical effects, has been selected as an Editor's Suggestion by Physical Review Letters and has been covered by ArsTechnica .

Play to Promote: Orbs

Orbs Game flyer

Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering

In a recent publication in Nature Communcations we show that the signature quantum effect of superradiance can be inverted, promising better photon detectors and improved light harvesting. Our paper has been highlighted by Nature Photonics and Physics World .

Single nuclear spin detection

A few years ago we proposed enhancing NV - -centre-based magnetic field sensors with an amplifier spin to achieve single nuclear spin magnetic moment sensitivity. This idea has now been realised by the Lukin group at Harvard.

No gain from weak-value amplification?

The debate we have triggered on the utility of postselected weak measurements for designing better quantum sensors continues.

Still no gain from weak-value amplification

Performing measurements which only reveal little information can sometimes be useful in the quantum world, as this does not collapse the wavefunction. Over the last few years, it has been suggested that such measurements combined with judicial postselection may even unlock superior metrological performance. However, analysing this question for magnetic sensors a couple of years ago we found no advantage. Our publication has since triggered a lively debate, inspiring a host of follow up work from all over the world.

We have also been digging deeper with an article in Phys. Rev. X which deals with imperfections at the detection stage. However, once more we find that amplification obtained by weak measurements generally does not improve metrological performance.

Together with Chris Ferrie and Josh Combes, we have now posted a survey about the state of play and remaining open questions in weak-value amplification.

Intriguingly, there is now increasing evidence that the compass sense of birds involves a quantum mechanical process, which may enable birds to literally 'see' the magnetic field.

Can birds see the magnetic field?

How precisely do birds navigate over long distances without getting lost? In a Biophysical Journal article , we suggest that certain migratory birds might literally ‘see’ Earth’s magnetic field superimposed on their normal vision, reminiscent of a fighter pilot’s heads up display.

Our proposal builds on the established Radical Pair model of the avian compass, replacing the hypothetical chemical signal transduction stage, for which no evidence exists, with a physical mechanism, by which an electrical dipole field directly influence the visual process in the bird’s eye.

Apart from simplifying the story, our model provides an explanation as to why the evolution of an extraordinarily long compass coherence time would have been favoured by natural selection. This provides at least a partial answer to this puzzling questions which we raised with a previous Physical Review Letter on the same topic.

We are always looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join our group!

PhD Studentships

Opportunities for fully funded PhD studentships for UK and international applicants regularly exist. Places are filled on a competitive, rolling basis. Please get in touch if interested.

We are open to discussing a broad range of project topics related to our research interests (see recent publications for an overview).

Postdoc Openings

We will be adversiting an opportunity to work on the project "Exploring bio-inspired collective light-matter interactions in the solid-state" supported by the Leverhulme Trust soon. Get in touch or check back soon if interested.

Fellowship Applications

We are happy to support applications and host recipients of personal research fellowships (e.g. URF, Marie Curie, 1851, Newton International etc).

Selected publications

• Eliminating radiative losses in long-range exciton transport Physical Review X Quantum 3 , 020354 (2022)
• Quantum microscopy based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference Nature Photonics 16 , 384 (2022)
• Coherence in Cooperative Photon Emission from Indistinguishable Quantum Emitters Science Advances 8 , eabm8171 (2022)
• Large-scale FRET simulations reveal the control parameters of phycobilisome light-harvesting complexes Journal of the Royal Society Interface 19 , 20220580 (2022)
• Simulation of open quantum systems by automated compression of arbitrary environments Nature Physics 18 , 662 (2022)
• Superabsorption in an organic microcavity: towards a quantum battery Science Advances 8 , abk3160 (2022)
• Complete mapping of the thermoelectric properties of a single molecule Nature Nanotechnology 16 ,426 (2021)
• Understanding resonant charge transport through weakly coupled single-molecule junctions Nature Communications 10 4628 (2019)
• Light Harvesting with Guide-Slide Superabsorbing Condensed-Matter Nanostructures The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 10 , 4323 (2019)
• Attosecond-resolution Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry Science Advances 4 , eaap9416 (2018)
• Projected gradient descent algorithms for quantum state tomography npj Quantum Information 3 , 44 (2017)
• Photocell Optimization Using Dark State Protection Physical Review Letters 117 , 203603 (2016)
• Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering Nature Communications 5 4705 (2014)
• When amplification with weak values fails to suppress technical noise Physical Review X 4 , 011032 (2014)
• Violation of a Leggett-Garg inequality with ideal non-invasive measurements Nature Communications 3 :606 (doi: 10.1038/ncomms1614) (2012)
• Proposed spin amplification for magnetic sensors employing crystal defects Physical Review Letters 107 , 207210 (2011)
• Sustained quantum coherence and entanglement in the avian compass Physical Review Letters 106 , 040503 (2011)
• Damping of Exciton Rabi Rotations by Acoustic Phonons in Optically Excited InGaAs/GaAs Quantum Dots Physical Review Letters 104 , 017402 (2010)

Prof Erik M Gauger Room DB 1.10 Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)131 451 3345 [email protected]

• Heriot-Watt University
• Department of Physics
• Fiona Fleming

Fiona Fleming Heriot-Watt University  ·  Department of Physics

Connect with experts in your field

Join ResearchGate to contact this researcher and connect with your scientific community.

Publications

• University of Wuerzburg and University of St Andrews

• Politecnico di Milano

• Shanghai Institute of Microsystem And Information Technology

• Shandong University

• Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, CAS

• University of Strathclyde

• Universidad de Salamanca
• Recruit researchers
• Join for free
• Login Email Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google Welcome back! Please log in. Email · Hint Tip: Most researchers use their institutional email address as their ResearchGate login Password Forgot password? Keep me logged in Log in or Continue with Google No account? Sign up

We have 37 Heriot-Watt University PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

All disciplines

All locations

Institution

Heriot-Watt University

All PhD Types

All Funding

Heriot-Watt University PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

In silico studies of diclofenac interactions with the skin barrier, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Understanding the skin barrier through molecular simulation

Expanding the capabilities of the molecular simulation design framework (mosdef), char morphology and chemistry – the key to good whisky, competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

PhD in Direct Air Capture (DAC) Technologies

Fully-funded epsrc centre for doctoral training in green industrial futures, funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training

EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training conduct research and training in priority areas funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Potential PhD topics are usually defined in advance. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.

Thermal Management for Future Aerospace Propulsion

Phd position in reinforcement learning and multi-agent reinforcement learning, combined multi-scale modelling and experimental studies of polymer nanocomposites used in subsea connectors – industrial case studentship, supramolecular building blocks for carbon capture materials, funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Biomechanical Investigation of Tendinopathy: A Multiscale Study

Machine learning for extreme scale computational imaging in radio astronomy, foundations of deep learning for scalable computational imaging, deep learning for black hole tomography, computational imaging in low resource settings.

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

Filtering Results

Rankings of Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University is a prominent research education institution located in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Recognised globally for their research contributions in Engineering and Science in particular, this university enjoys a formidable reputation among education ranking listings such as Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings. Despite the university’s campus not being centrally located in the city, students almost unanimously agree that there is more than enough fun to be had on-site, thanks to a proactive Student Union that is constantly working to create spaces and resources for clubs.

• July 2024: Heriot-Watt University ranks 516 in the latest Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities from Webometrics.
• July 2024: Publication of CWTS Leiden Ranking . Ranking position #1079.
• June 2024: Publication of US News: Best Global Universities . Ranking position #832.
• June 2024: Nature Index - Top Academic Institutions by Subject (Health Sciences) update. Heriot-Watt University achieves place 961.

University rankings

• #1079 

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Subject rankings

Agriculture, computer science, engineering, languages & literature, mathematics, natural sciences, social studies & humanities, highest subject rankings for heriot-watt university, about heriot-watt university.

• Current and former students report that the residential halls are well furbished, complete with kitchen appliances and en -suite bathrooms.
• A huge variety of clubs and societies on -campus, including sports activities, study groups, and special interest clubs. Additionally, many users report fair and accessible prices for membership.
• According to QS University Rankings, Heriot -Watt University is consistently ranked among the Top 300 in the world. This ensures both students and future employers that this institution is a worthwhile investment.
• A recurring criticism from students is that there is poor communication between departments. This can cause issues where classrooms, computer suites, or seminar halls are unexpectedly occupied.
• The number of hours spent in the classroom is limited for most courses, according to general opinion from current and former students. Applicants for this university should expect to conduct a lot of individual study.

THE Student Experience Survey by Times Higher Education

Times Higher Education has surveyed 20251 undergraduate students in the UK about their study experience. 106 students of Heriot-Watt University participated in the survey.

Below you'll find the results for each of the survey questions for Heriot-Watt University in comparison to the average for all UK universities.

Overall score: 76.1

Map of Heriot-Watt University

How does Heriot-Watt University rank among all universities in Scotland?

How does heriot-watt university compare in the university ranking to all other universities in edinburgh, in which rankings is heriot-watt university listed, what is the highest ranking of heriot-watt university, in which subjects is heriot-watt university best, what is heriot-watt university's reputation, is heriot-watt university better than the university of edinburgh, ranking publishers, the times and the sunday times, the times good university guide  (published: 15 september, 2023).

view methodology

The Times Good University Guide by Subject  (Published: 15 September, 2023)

The guardian news and media limited, the guardian league table  (published: 09 september, 2023), the guardian university league tables by subject  (published: 09 september, 2023), the university league tables, cug the complete university guide  (published: 14 may, 2024), cug the complete university guide - by subject  (published: 14 may, 2024), rogers digital media, américa economía, perspektywy, the times higher education, uk, the world university rankings  (published: 27 september, 2023), the global employability university ranking  (published: 23 november, 2023), the world university rankings by subject  (published: 19 october, 2023), the world reputation rankings  (published: 27 july, 2023), the world’s most international universities  (published: 25 january, 2024), the young university rankings  (published: 14 may, 2024), the top universities for a digital education  (published: 17 april, 2024), the china subject ratings overall  (published: 27 march, 2024), the world university impact rankings - overall  (published: 12 june, 2024), british quacquarelli symonds, uk, qs world university rankings  (published: 04 june, 2024), qs employability rankings  (published: 23 september, 2021), qs world university rankings by subject  (published: 10 april, 2024), qs world university rankings: sustainability  (published: 05 december, 2023), sapiens research, thomson reuters, reuters most innovative universities europe  (published: 30 april, 2019), national institutional ranking framework, us news: best global universities  (published: 24 june, 2024), urap world ranking - university ranking by academic performance  (published: 19 december, 2023), urap university ranking by academic performance - by field  (published: 22 july, 2023), shanghairanking consultancy, arwu academic ranking of world universities - shanghairanking  (published: 15 august, 2023), gras global ranking of academic subjects - shanghairanking  (published: 27 october, 2023), washington monthly, the princeton review, centre for science and technology studies, leiden university, netherlands, cwts leiden ranking  (published: 03 july, 2024), scimago institutions, scimago institutions rankings  (published: 06 march, 2024), cwur center for world university rankings, cwur center for world university rankings  (published: 13 may, 2024), nature index, nature index: research leaders academic sector  (published: 15 june, 2024), nature index - top academic institutions by subject  (published: 15 june, 2024), ntu ranking, ntu performance ranking of scientific papers  (published: 11 july, 2023), ntu rankings by subject  (published: 11 july, 2023), rur ranking agency (moscow, russia), rur academic rankings  (published: 25 may, 2023), rur reputation ranking  (published: 25 may, 2023), rur world university rankings  (published: 30 may, 2024), studocu world university ranking - emea - europe, the middle east and africa  (published: 30 january, 2023), unirank 4icu: top 200 english-speaking universities  (published: 07 february, 2024), unirank 4icu: top 200 universities in the world  (published: 07 february, 2024), webometrics, webometrics ranking web of universities  (published: 12 july, 2024), the times/cao, hea, wallstreet journal usa & the times higher education, uk.

Graduate School

Over 140 academics and excellent facilities provide a superb environment for phd study in all areas of the mathematical sciences, a rich environment and lively seminar programme.

Our graduate school includes an EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), and  covers all areas of mathematics, operational research and statistics. There are numerous meetings, workshops and conferences held through the year, both at the two universities and, often jointly, at the Edinburgh-based International Centre for Mathematical Sciences .

What's On Offer

Our different types of phd programme:, analysis and probability.

Our theme conducts a wide variety of research in modern analysis and probability. Areas that are well represented at the theme include harmonic analysis, analysis and numerics for stochastic differential equations, dispersive, elliptic, and parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs), geometric measure theory, stochastic PDEs, general relatively, machine learning, limit theorems for stochastic processes, random graphs and processes on them, stochastic networks, interacting-particle system, calculus of variations and spectral theory.

DATA AND DECISIONS

The Data and Decisions research theme undertakes research at the forefront of modern mathematical, statistical and computational problems related to core elements of Data Science: optimization, operational research, statistics & uncertainty quantification, as well as their applications in imaging, environmental and medical statistics, epidemiology, actuarial science and financial mathematics.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCED MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES EDUCATION

You will join a team of researchers investigating the teaching and learning of Mathematics in Higher Education. The team has expertise in the use of technology for teaching and assessing mathematics and developing strategies for lecturers’ development. We welcome proposals on the transition from school to university mathematics and on the teaching, learning, and assessment of Mathematics at the university level, preferably through the use of technology.

APPLIED AND COMPUTATIONAL MATHEMATICS

Our theme works on core research topics in modern applied and computational mathematics. We offer PhD training in the broad area of applied and computational mathematics including mathematical and computational modelling, numerical analysis, mathematical biology, fluid dynamics, machine learning, industrial mathematics, applied stochastic analysis etc. Our PhD projects are generally offered through the MAC-MIGS 2024 PhD Collaborative Training Centre.

GlaMS is a joint PhD training centre between the University of Glasgow, the University of Edinburgh, and Heriot-Watt University. Offering innovative training within a broadly interpreted remit of algebraic structures which includes geometry and mathematical physics.

MAC-MIGS 2024 PROGRAMME

The Mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Computation ( MAC-MIGS ) PhD programme is a collaborative training programme, focused on the formulation, analysis and implementation of state-of-the-art mathematical and computational models.

MAXWELL INSTITUTE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Our core training programme, offered to all PhD students in any of the research themes of  the Maxwell Institute Graduate School, covering topics  such as  Analysis & Probability, Optimisation, Operational Research, Statistics & Actuarial Mathematics, Structure & Symmetry and more. 

Our application procedure

We actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all qualified applicants.

Check you meet the programme entry requirements. 

• If you are applying for a University of Edinburgh programme, please check this website .
• If you are applying for a Heriot-Watt University programme, please check this website . Applications are reviewed continuously until June 15th, but early applications (preferably before the end of March) have the best chance of success. 
• If you are applying to the MAC-MIGS CDT, please check this website . 
• If you are applying to GlaMS, please check this website .

Research Interests – this section is not for MAC-MIGS applicants

Identify your research interest and determine in which theme you wish to carry out your work. 

You should contact staff members prior to making an application in order to identify possible projects and supervisors. This is especially the case for international applicants who may not have the opportunity to attend an interview. However, it isn’t essential for you to have secured a supervisor before making your application. 

You can use the search function in the “Possible PhD Supervisors” section below or the search function in the People section to identify possible supervisors and research areas/ topics. When using the search function to identify potential supervisors, please filter by status and select “staff”.

English Language

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

Language requirements vary between programmes so check the relevant website.

Required Documents

• All degree certificates and transcripts – if you do not yet have a transcript, please subit an interim transcript. If you do not yet have a degree certificate, please request a letter from your University stating you have satisfactorily completed your studies or are expected to.
• 2 Academic references  to be provided directly by your referees.
• English Language Certificate  (where applicable).

Where you are asked for a research proposal, you may ignore that request as mathematics does not require one. 

Submit your application 

You should submit your application via the relevant application portal-

• University of Edinburgh   – please note if you wish to apply to the University of Edinburgh, you must select the appropriate PhD programme (i.e. Algebra, Statistics, etc) when submitting your online application by 22nd January 2024.
• Heriot-Watt University – please note if you wish to apply to Heriot-Watt University, you must follow the steps to create an account before you can submit your application.
• MAC-MIGS CDT programme  

Possible PhD supervisors

This part is NOT FOR MAC-MIGS applicants.  Please use the search function below to identify potential supervisors based on your current research interests.  If you do not have fully-formed views on these, you can use the search function to identify possibilities. We would encourage you to contact supervisors directly so that you can get an idea of the types of project that may be on offer. When seeking to identify potential supervisors, you should select “Filter by status” and choose “Staff”. 

Moreover, each research theme , includes various research groups.  A list of research groups can be found below. Some of research groups have additional information about supervisors and projects on dedicated webpages.

Research groups at the University of Edinburgh

• Applied and Computational Mathematics
• Edinburgh Mathematical Physics Group
• Hodge Institute
• Optimization and Operational Research

Research groups at Heriot-Watt University

• Actuarial & Financial Mathematics
• Algebra, Geometry & Topology
• Analysis and PDEs
• Applied Mathematics
• Computational Mathematics
• Mathematical Biology & Ecology
• Mathematical Physics
• Probability & Statistics

A description of the PhD projects offered by the HW research groups can be found here . 

If you are applying for the MAC-MIGS CDT Programme we expect you to keep an open mind about research topics and supervisors. Matching between students and supervisors will usually be done in the middle of the first year – see the MAC-MIGS CDT  web site  for more details.

What we offer:

Admission to the Maxwell Institute Graduate School often includes a scholarship covering fees and living expenses, but we also consider self-funded applicants. The funding period for PhD projects varies between 36 and 48 months, depending on the previous experience of the candidate. The MAC-MIGS doctoral training scholarships are all for 48 months.

The Bayes Centre in the Edinburgh city centre offers a modern space where all MIGS 1st year PhD students will be located.

A complete range of high quality training is on offer to all of our students to take advantage of - both academic and beyond.

More than 150 fellow PhD students between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh.

A vibrant research environment including many seminar series, events, and further activities.

For a PhD in Analysis and Probability, Data and Decisions, TEMSE

Please use the search function to find academics working in the area of research that interests you. You should then contact them via email to discuss possible research topics. 

You are encouraged to apply by 22nd January 2023 for full consideration. Later applications will be considered until all positions are filled. If you are shortlisted for a PhD programme, you will be invited for interview. These will be held online.

MAC-MIGS CDT and Applied and Computational Mathematics

Please go to the MAC-MIGS programme website for further information about the application process. 

GlaMS Programme PhDs​

Please see the GlaMS  website for further detail and information about the application procedure.

MAC-MIGS CDT and MIGSAA CDT

These two CDTs are no longer hiring. For information about the activities of the MAC-MIGS CDT  see here .

The MAC-MIGS CDT has been replaced by its follow-up programme, the  MAC-MIGS 2024 PhD Programme . the latter is both active and hiring!

To learn more about our MIGSAA programme you can view related information at the archive site .

how to apply

For further information about how to apply to the Maxwell Institute Graduate School, visit our PhD Admissions page. 

Any further questions?

To learn more about our PhD studies or view key contact information on our programmes, visit our FAQs page.

© 2024 Maxwell Institute. All rights reserved. Registered in Scotland | Terms and Conditions | Privacy and Cookie Policy

WEBSITE DESIGN AND BUILD BY ARCAS WEB DESIGN

© 2020 Maxwell Institute. All rights reserved. Registered in Scotland | Terms and Conditions | Privacy and Cookie Policy

Halliday to take the rein at WASA

FROM November 1, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) will have a new CEO.

In a news release on August 30, the authority said Keithroy Halliday, the former general manager of the Barbados Water Authority (BWA), has been selected for the post.

He will lead a restructured nine-member leadership team, which will be announced this week, WASA said.

It said Halliday is "an executive with a track record of success."

WASA said Halliday, during his seven-year tenure, advanced BWA’s finances, making it a zero-budget entity for the past four years.

The release said he is also credited with successfully managing BWA through a national crisis where the sewerage collection system was compromised along one of the major road arteries, posing health threats and negatively impacting the business and tourism sectors.

Halliday, it added, also led BWA to become one of the first regional organisations to secure significant grant funding from the Green Climate Fund through the Caricom Community Climate Change Centre to assist with resiliency and mitigation programs.

The release said Halliday is no stranger to TT, having spent a decade here as general manager in the telecommunications retail industry.

He is a doctoral student at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, in the Doctor of Business Administration programme, with an emphasis on intelligent water systems. He holds an MBA and postgraduate diploma and certificate in business from the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland; and has been a research associate in the department of civil and environmental engineering at the University of South Florida since 2018.

Man drowns in Mayaro

Man abducted, found dead in ste madeleine, woman knocked down, dies on claude noel highway, trini artistes honoured at caribbean music awards, "halliday to take the rein at wasa", more in this section, ex-gang members: 'spare the innocents', lawrence duprey’s many faces, farrell: forex flows difficult to follow, chief sec tells detractors: don't engage in coat of arms debate if you haven't suffered pain.

• Skip to content
• Accessibility help

We have a world-class and inclusive research environment, with state-of-the-art facilities that you need for your research.

We run several inspiring seminar series, while all PhD students benefit from a huge variety of training and awareness activities offered by Heriot-Watt's Research Futures unit.

The School is adjacent to the Postgraduate Centre providing a state-of-the-art facility for all postgraduate students across the University.

• If you are interested in a PhD in Mathematical Sciences, Actuarial Mathematics or Statistics, please visit the  PhD opportunities in Mathematical Sciences page.
• PhD opportunities in Computer Science
• PhD student list

In the video below you can hear one of our previous students Arianna Bianchi talk about her research in the Department of Mathematics and how she hopes it will help people with impaired wound healing as well reducing costs for the NHS.

Key information

School of mathematical and computer sciences.

• +44 131 451 3914
• [email protected]
• twitter.com/Macshw