MSCA doctoral network (SPARK) PhD position in numerical photonics

Karlstad University; Bomel; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 36 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

University of Namur invites applications for a MSCA SPARK PhD position in numerical photonics. The PhD candidate will perform theoretical and numerical modelling of time-varying photonic systems, with opportunities for nanofabrication and experimental characterization.

The candidate will benefit from secondments at JCMWave and TU/e, and will join a collaborative SPARK network with a strong European research footprint.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in physics, optics or related field required.
• You must not have a doctoral degree at time of recruitment.
• Strong English language skills required.
• Experience in photonics, numerical methods or HPC is a strong asset.

Responsabilités

• Perform theoretical and numerical calculations for time-varying photonics.
• Contribute to experimental fabrication and characterization.
• Engage in secondments at JCMWave and TU/e for industry exposure.

Formation

Master’s degree in physics, astrophysics, applied physics, optics, electrical engineering, material engineering or closely related subject

Outils

MEEP

MPB

Lumerical FDTD

Comsol Multiphysics

Description du poste

MSCA doctoral network (SPARK) PhD position in numerical photonics

University faculty : Sciences
Department : Physics Department
Grade : researcher
Contract : fixed term contract
Category : scientific personnel
Allocation : External funds
Reference : 101310184 — SPARK

Responsabilities

Perfect Broadband Temporal Metamaterial Absorbers

The Lobet research team part of the NISM institute of the Science Faculty of the University of Namur (Belgium), is looking for a PhD candidate part of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) doctoral network SPARK project on the topic of "Perfect Broadband Temporal Metamaterial Absorbers" to perform theoretical and numerical calculations, as well as experimental fabrication and characterization in the novel domain of “ time-varying photonics”, in collaboration with Prof. H. Caglayan (TU/e) and S.Burger (JCMWave)

The project willtargetthe realization of perfect broadband absorbers through time-varying metamaterials. Modelling homogeneous lossy time-varying media as well as using machine-learning optimization to reach broadband absorption are targeted.

Secondmentsinclude3 months at JCMWave for industry exposure and 6 months at**TU/e (H. Caglayan)** for nanofabrication and characterization.By producing perfect broadband temporal metamaterial absorbers,**the doctoral candidate contributes to one of the research objectives of the doctoral network SPARK (SPARK MSCA Doctoral Network).

Over the course of the thesis, the candidate will develop skills in theoretical modelling and simulation of twisted photonic crystals (UNamur), nanofabrication of photonic structures (TU/e), and contact with industry (JCMwave), gained through secondments as well as shared expertise with the whole SPARK doctoral network consortium.

The SPARK network is coordinated by Humeyra Caglayan (TU/e EE) and brings together Nicolò Maccaferri (UMU), Iñigo Liberal (UPNA), Paloma Arroyo Huidobro (UAM), Marco Piccardo (INESC MN and Técnico Lisboa), Michaël Lobet (UNamur), Riccardo Sapienza (Imperial), and Ahmed H. Dorrah (TU/e AP). It will hire 15 phD students that will work closely to advance spatiotemporal photonic technologies.

Research environment:

The Michaël Lobet's Research Team | UNamur, part of the NISM institute (Namur Institute of Structured Matter), has a long-standing expertise in theoretical and numerical physics, especially in photonics. The direct work environment is composed of experienced researchers such as Prof. Michaël Lobet (PI for the current call), Prof. Luc Henrard, Prof. Olivier Deparis and Prof. Alexandre Mayer.

The candidate will benefit from the scientific network of the lab including of several high-ranked universities, such as Harvard, UPenn, Stanford, University of Navarra, Tsinghua University, DTU,… Close collaborations with the doctoral network member are foreseen, on top of the announced secondments at TU/e and JCMWave.

The lab members have access to state-of-the-art HPC Tier 2 facilities through the CECI consortium. The capabilities of the CECI clusters cover a range of facilities including very fast CPUs and GPU accelerators. We also have access to supercomputer facilities of the regional Tier-1 (Zenobe) and projects can be submitted to the EuroHPC initiative.

Over the years, the lab developed either homemade codes (rigorous couple wave analysis, plane wave expansions, finite-difference time domain method, etc.), know-how using open softwares under GNU license (MEEP, MPB, etc.) or commercial solutions (Lumerical FDTD, Comsol Multiphysics) required to perform the present project. Moreover, INESC MN and IMEC facilities are state-of-the-art for fabrication and characterization.

The University of Namur has been awarded with the “HR Excellence in Research” label in 2013 confirming its alignment of HR policies with the principles of the European Charter for Researcher and a code of conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Namur is the capital city of the French-speaking part of Belgium. It is located 60 km south (or 1h by train) of Brussels and is surrounded by a beautiful countryside.

The PhD will join a dynamic team, composed of 2 post-docs, 5 phDs students and 2 master. The team particularly cares for the well-being of its members (team building, scientific retreat, etc.).

Recent publications of the team

• Roy, L. Beicheng, S. Fan, A. Mayer, M. Lobet. "Twist-Induced Beam Steering and Blazing Effects in Photonic Crystal Devices.", Light Sci Appl 14, 263 (2025).
• Lobet, N. Kinsey, I. Liberal, H. Caglayan, P. A. Huidobro, E. Galiffi, J. R. Mejía-Salazar, G. Palermo, Z. Jacob, N. Maccaferri, "New horizons in near-zero refractive index photonics and hyperbolic metamaterials." ACS Photonics, 10, 3805–3820 (2023).
• Lobet, I. Liberal, L. Vertchenko, A. Lavrinenko, N. Engheta, E. Mazur, “Momentum considerations inside near-zero index materials", Light Sci Appl 11, 110 (2022).
• Li, Z. Zhou, Z., W. Sun, M. Lobet, N. Engheta, I. Liberal, Y. Li, “Direct observation of ideal electromagnetic fluids", Nat. Commun 13, 4747 (2022).
• Lobet, I. Liberal, E. N. Knall, M. Zahirul Alam, O. Reshef, R. W. Boyd, N. Engheta, E. Mazur, “Fundamental Radiative Processes in Near-Zero-Index Media of Various Dimensionalities", ACS Photonics, 7 (8), 1965-1970 (2020).
• Liberal, M. Lobet, Y. Li, N. Engheta, “Near-zero index media as electromagnetic ideal fluids", Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117 (39) 24050-24054 (2020).

Profile

Eligibility criteria

• Master’s degree in fields of physics, astrophysics, applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering or a closely related subject.
• You should not have a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment (this is a requirement from the funding authority).
• Strong skills in the English language.
• Expertise in photonics, numerical methods, and/or scientific computing/HPC or in nanofabrication/optical characterization are strong assets but not a requirement.
• Team player spirit, willing to collaborate with external institution colleagues, autonomy in work as well as transparency are looked for.

Additional information

What SPARK Offers:

• Gross salary starting around 3000€/month, with potential for additional funding depending on your family status (Mobility allowance around 700€/month and family allowance around 650€/month depending on the family status).
• 36 months funded through the SPARK MSCA network, additional 12 months funded by UNamur to finish the 4 years thesis, with the additional benefits for employees.
• 6-month research stay at TU/e, The Netherlands and 3-month research at JCMWave, Germany.
• Training program including research-specific and transferable skills courses.
• Active participation in workshops, conferences, and network-wide events to build professional and scientific connections.
• Stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.

The starting date is foreseen between February 1st 2027 and May 1st 2027.

Remarks

The candidate will receive the chance to interact with team members to gauge their insertion in the work environment.

Offer Starting Date: 1 Feb 2027.

Additional comments

Recruitment policy:

The human resources management policy of the University of Namur is based on respect for equal rights and equal treatment for all. This diversity is articulated around different axes, including gender, disability, origin, beliefs, age, sexual orientation, etc. The University of Namur is also a signatory of the charter of diversity. UNamur is also committed to adhering to the 40 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the European Union Code for the Recruitment of Researchers in its human resources management (OTM-R policy)

Job details

Title

MSCA doctoral network (SPARK) PhD position in numerical photonics

2026-11-15 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
2026-11-15 23:59 (CET)

Closing on: 2026-12-15 (Europe/Brussels)

Closing on: 2026-11-15 (Europe/Brussels)

UNamur carries on the values of the humanistic tradition through teaching and research: universality, quality, ethical commitment and solidarity.