Michaël Lobet

Université de Namur is advertising a PhD position in numerical photonics within the MSCA doctoral network SPARK . The project is titled “Optical Vortex Generation Using Twisted Bilayer Photonic Crystals” and focuses on photonics, optics, electromagnetism, numerical simulation, scientific computing/HPC, nanofabrication, and structured light . The successful candidate will join the Lobet research team at the University of Namur (Science Faculty / Physics Department, NISM institute). The work combines theoretical modelling and numerical calculations with experimental fabrication and characterization in the emerging area of moiré optics . The project aims to design twisted photonic crystals that generate robust optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum. Training and secondments are a major part of the position: 3 months at IMEC for nanofabrication exposure and 6 months at INESC MN for structured-light characterization using off-axis digital holography. The candidate will also benefit from collaboration across the SPARK consortium and access to HPC resources (CECI, regional Tier-1, EuroHPC). Funding: the position is funded through Horizon Europe / MSCA for 36 months, with an additional 12 months funded by UNamur to complete the thesis. Gross salary starts around 3000€/month , with possible mobility and family allowances depending on eligibility. Eligibility highlights: a Master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, optics, electrical engineering, material engineering, computer science, mathematics, technology, or a closely related field; no doctoral degree at recruitment; and compliance with the MSCA mobility rule (not more than 12 months in Belgium during the 36 months before recruitment). Strong English is required; French at basic level is listed. How to apply: prepare a CV, master course list with ECTS and grades, motivation letter, up to 3 referees, and any other relevant documents. Email the complete application to [email protected] before 2026-11-15 .

Université de Namur is advertising a PhD position in numerical photonics within the MSCA doctoral network SPARK . The project is titled Perfect Broadband Temporal Metamaterial Absorbers and sits at the intersection of physics, optics, electromagnetism, computational physics, materials science, and electrical engineering . The selected doctoral researcher will work with the Lobet research team at the University of Namur on theoretical and numerical calculations, as well as experimental fabrication and characterization, in the emerging field of time-varying photonics . The research aims to realize perfect broadband absorbers using time-varying metamaterials, including modelling homogeneous lossy time-varying media and applying machine-learning optimization for broadband absorption. The project includes secondments: 6 months at TU/e for nanofabrication and characterization and 3 months at JCMWave for industry exposure. The SPARK network also connects researchers across several institutions, including TU/e, Imperial College London, University of Navarra, Autonomous University of Madrid, INESC MN/Técnico Lisboa, and others. Eligibility highlights: a master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, optics, electrical engineering, material engineering, or a closely related field; no doctoral degree at recruitment; compliance with the MSCA mobility rule for Belgium; strong English skills; basic French listed; experience in photonics, numerical methods, HPC/scientific computing, nanofabrication, or optical characterization is an advantage. Funding: the position is funded for 36 months by the SPARK MSCA network, with an additional 12 months funded by the University of Namur to complete a 4-year thesis. The gross salary starts around 3000 EUR/month, with possible mobility and family allowances depending on status. How to apply: send a CV, master’s course list with ECTS and grades, personal letter, up to three referees, and any other relevant documents by email to [email protected] before 15 November 2026 . The post also links to the SPARK doctoral network website and the UNamur research group page for more information.

PhD position in numerical photonics at the University of Namur, Belgium The Lobet research team in the NISM institute of the Science Faculty at the University of Namur is recruiting a PhD candidate for the MSCA doctoral network SPARK. The project, Optical Vortex Generation Using Twisted Bilayer Photonic Crystals , focuses on theoretical and numerical calculations together with experimental fabrication and characterization in the emerging area of moiré optics. The research aims to design twisted photonic crystal structures capable of generating robust optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum. The topic sits at the intersection of photonics, computational physics, electromagnetism, optical vortex generation, and nanophotonics. The candidate will work on modelling and simulation of twisted photonic crystals at UNamur, with secondments for nanofabrication at IMEC in Belgium and structured-light characterization at INESC MN in Portugal. The project is embedded in the SPARK Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, a European training network bringing together several leading academic partners and research teams. The network is coordinated by Humeyra Caglayan and includes partners across Europe, with close collaboration also mentioned with Prof. Benoit Hackens at UCLouvain. The successful applicant will join a dynamic and international research environment with access to HPC resources, established simulation tools, and strong expertise in photonics. Funding is provided through Horizon Europe MSCA. The offer states a gross salary starting around 3000 EUR/month, with possible mobility and family allowances depending on personal status. The position is funded for 36 months by the SPARK network, with an additional 12 months funded by UNamur to complete the thesis. The starting date is expected between 1 February 2027 and 1 May 2027. Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, optics, electrical engineering, materials engineering, or a closely related field; no doctoral degree at recruitment; and compliance with the MSCA mobility rule, meaning applicants must not have spent more than 12 months in Belgium during the 36 months before recruitment. Strong English skills are required, while experience in photonics, numerical methods, scientific computing/HPC, nanofabrication, or optical characterization is considered an advantage. Applications should include a CV, a list of master’s courses with ECTS and grades, a motivation letter, and up to three references. The application deadline is 15 November 2026, and submissions should be sent by email to Prof. Michaël Lobet at [email protected].