Michaël Lobet

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 within the EU-funded SPARK MSCA Doctoral Network . The Lobet research team at the NISM institute (Science Faculty, University of Namur, Belgium) is recruiting a doctoral candidate for a project titled Perfect Broadband Temporal Metamaterial Absorbers . The research combines theoretical and numerical photonics with experimental fabrication and characterization in the emerging field of time-varying photonics . The project aims to realize perfect broadband absorbers using time-varying metamaterials , with modelling of homogeneous lossy time-varying media and machine-learning-based optimization for broadband absorption. The doctoral researcher will develop skills in theoretical modelling and simulation of twisted photonic crystals at UNamur, nanofabrication of photonic structures at TU/e, and industrial exposure through JCMWave. The position is part of the SPARK doctoral network, coordinated by Prof. Humeyra Caglayan (TU/e), and involving an international consortium including researchers from UNamur, TU/e, Imperial, UPNA, UAM, UMU, INESC MN / Técnico Lisboa, and others. The network will hire 15 PhD students working on spatiotemporal photonic technologies. The host team, led by Prof. Michaël Lobet , is embedded in the NISM institute and has strong expertise in theoretical and numerical physics, especially photonics. The environment offers access to high-performance computing via CECI Tier-2 clusters, Zenobe Tier-1 facilities, and EuroHPC resources, as well as a broad software toolbox including MEEP, MPB, Lumerical FDTD, and COMSOL Multiphysics. Funding includes a gross salary starting around 3000 EUR/month, with possible mobility and family allowances depending on personal status. The doctoral contract is funded for 36 months by SPARK/MSCA, with an additional 12 months funded by UNamur to complete a four-year thesis. Secondments include 6 months at TU/e for nanofabrication and characterization and 3 months at JCMWave for industry exposure. Eligibility highlights: candidates should hold a master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, optics, electrical engineering, material engineering, or a closely related field; should not already have a doctorate; and must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule (no more than 12 months in Belgium during the 36 months before recruitment). Strong English is required; French is basic. Experience in photonics, numerical methods, scientific computing/HPC, nanofabrication, or optical characterization is welcome but not required. Application deadline: 15 November 2026, 23:59 Brussels time. Apply by email with a CV, full list of master courses and grades, a motivation letter, and up to three referees.

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 .