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MQ Photonics Research Centre

The MQ Photonics Research Centre is a Macquarie University Research Centre with approximately 30 academic staff and approximately 30 research students (mostly PhD). The Centre was formed from Macquarie University's Concentration of Research Excellence (CORE) in Lasers and Photonics. It incorporates the Centre for Lasers and Applications (CLA; established in 1988 by the Australian Research Council as a Commonwealth Special Research Centre).

The Centre aims to elevate the international standing of scientific and technological research that has been well established at Macquarie University for many years. To achieve this, we undertake fundamental and applied research in the general area of lasers and photonics, with particular focus on the following seven frontiers of optical science: astrophotonics; biophotonics; microphotonic optical systems; nano-optics and nanophotonics; photonic sources; optical sensing and imaging; ultrafast laser applications. Our strategic objectives include: fostering higher-degree research (HDR) student activities, with enhanced enrolment, participation and completion rates; enhancing opportunities for our researchers to interact with external partners such as other universities, commercial organisations, and government agencies; facilitating access to major sources of competitive research funding (including external project grants, research fellowships, equipment and facility grants, large-scale research centres, linkages, and commercial support/partnerships for development of intellectual property); encouraging teaching excellence, not only in optics, lasers and photonics but also in physics, electronic engineering, optoelectronics, astronomy, biophysics, and beyond; serving as community resource, offering expert advice and outreaching support. 

We offer a versatile selection of challenging postgraduate research projects for PhD and Masters candidates, together with scholarships for suitably qualified applicants.

Macquarie University is particularly fortunate to be based in Sydney Australia – one of the world's great cities in terms of commerce, technology, culture, scenic location (with beautiful harbour, beaches and bush), climate, recreation, and lifestyle. The attractive, spacious Macquarie University campus is located in a pleasant northern suburb of Sydney. It is close to a major business area (Macquarie Park), the Lane Cove River National Park, and attractive residential areas; the campus is served by a new suburban rail link and nearby arterial road corridors.