Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes30 Jun, 2026

The Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship is a fully funded PhD research opportunity offered by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. The scholarship supports both UK and international applicants and offers access to several funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe fee waivers, Presidential Bursaries, and competition-based studentships that cover tuition fees and living costs. In addition, students will receive interdisciplinary training in computational photonics, nanofabrication, and optical characterization. The project also provides access to the University of Southampton’s world-class cleanroom facilities for wafer-scale fabrication and testing of advanced optical devices. Furthermore, scholars will work under the supervision of Dr Xu Fang from the School of Electronics and Computer Science and Dr Eric Plum from the Optoelectronics Research Centre.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

Optical Engineering, Photonics

GPA / Grade

GPA 3.3

Languages

DuoLingo English Test 120, ELLT 7, IELTS 6.5, PTE A 67, TOEFL iBT 92

Tests

Study Levels

Doctoral, PhD

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (2)

Result Date

Program Start

September 2026

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount
Deadline30 Jun, 2026
LevelDoctoral, PhD
InstitutionUniversity of Southampton
CountryUnited Kingdom
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship is a fully funded PhD research opportunity offered by the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. The project focuses on developing advanced metasurface-enabled optical sensing technologies for intelligent three-dimensional endoscopy systems. In particular, the research combines nanophotonics, machine learning, optical engineering, and biomedical imaging to improve the detection and identification of miniature biological features during endoscopic procedures. Furthermore, the project aims to create highly efficient imaging systems that can enhance precision and accuracy in modern healthcare applications.

Background and Purpose

The project builds on recent funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Leverhulme Trust. Researchers will investigate deep-learning-assisted metasurface design to achieve extreme topological manipulation of light. Metasurfaces are ultra-thin nanostructured materials that can precisely control the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light. As a result, these technologies can significantly improve biomedical imaging and intelligent sensing systems. Moreover, the research seeks to develop compact and efficient optical devices that support next-generation endoscopic imaging and diagnostic techniques.

Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship supports both UK and international applicants and offers access to several funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe fee waivers, Presidential Bursaries, and competition-based studentships that cover tuition fees and living costs. In addition, students will receive interdisciplinary training in computational photonics, nanofabrication, and optical characterization. The project also provides access to the University of Southampton’s world-class cleanroom facilities for wafer-scale fabrication and testing of advanced optical devices. Furthermore, scholars will work under the supervision of Dr Xu Fang from the School of Electronics and Computer Science and Dr Eric Plum from the Optoelectronics Research Centre.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should possess strong academic backgrounds in photonics, physics, electronics, optical engineering, or related disciplines. In addition, candidates should demonstrate interest in nanophotonics, biomedical imaging, and intelligent sensing technologies. Strong analytical, computational, and research skills will further strengthen an application.

Harnessing Topological Light through Metasurfaces for Intelligent 3D Endoscopy Scholarship Application Process

Applicants must submit an online application through the University of Southampton’s postgraduate research portal. They should provide academic transcripts, supporting documents, and evidence of research capability. Moreover, shortlisted candidates may need to discuss their technical knowledge, academic interests, and research potential during the selection process.

Opportunities for Scholars

This PhD offers excellent opportunities for scholars who want to contribute to cutting-edge biomedical imaging and nanophotonics research. Students will gain expertise in metasurface design, computational optics, and intelligent sensing technologies. Additionally, the project includes collaboration with leading international institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Depending on research progress, scholars may also participate in international collaborative research projects and industrial partnerships, which can strengthen future academic and professional careers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main aim of this PhD project?

The project aims to use metasurfaces (nanoscale optical structures) to engineer light in complex ways so it can capture high-precision, miniature-scale 3D features for biomedical endoscopy applications.

What technologies are used in this research?

It combines metasurface nanophotonics, deep-learning-assisted optical design, and advanced nanofabrication techniques to control amplitude, phase, and polarization of light.

What skills will the PhD student develop?

Students will gain skills in computational photonics, machine learning for optical design, nanofabrication, and optical characterization.