MSCA Doctoral Network

Organization: University of Namur (UNamur) Faculty: Sciences Department: Physics Department Institute: Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM) Location: Namur, Belgium Position: MSCA Doctoral Network (SPARK) PhD Position in Numerical Photonics Reference: 101310184 — SPARK

Project Overview

The University of Namur is recruiting a PhD candidate as part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network SPARK for a research project titled “Optical Vortex Generation Using Twisted Bilayer Photonic Crystals.” The project will investigate the emerging field of moiré photonics, focusing on photonic structures formed by two photonic crystals with a controllable relative rotation angle. The research will explore how twisted photonic crystal structures can be designed to generate robust optical vortices carrying orbital angular momentum. The PhD candidate will combine theoretical and numerical modelling with experimental fabrication and optical characterisation. The project brings together expertise from the University of Namur, IMEC and INESC MN, providing interdisciplinary training in numerical photonics, nanofabrication and structured-light characterisation.

Research Objectives

• Designing twisted photonic crystal structures capable of generating optical vortices.
• Investigating the photonic band structures of twisted photonic platforms.
• Studying optical modes and light propagation in moiré photonic systems.
• Developing numerical models and simulations for twisted photonic crystals.
• Exploring robust vortex radiation carrying orbital angular momentum.
• Connecting theoretical predictions with experimental fabrication and optical characterisation.
• Contributing to the SPARK Doctoral Network objective of developing metamaterial-enabled structured-light generation through controlled angular momentum.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform theoretical and numerical calculations related to twisted photonic crystals.
• Develop and apply numerical simulation methods for photonic structures.
• Design photonic crystal configurations for optical vortex generation.
• Contribute to the fabrication of nanophotonic structures during the project.
• Participate in experimental optical characterisation of structured light.
• Analyse and interpret numerical and experimental results.
• Collaborate with researchers at the University of Namur, IMEC and INESC MN.
• Participate in secondments and training activities organised through the SPARK doctoral network.
• Present research findings through scientific publications, conferences, workshops and network-wide events.
• Contribute to collaborative research with members of the wider SPARK consortium.

Research Environment

The PhD will be hosted within the Michaël Lobet Research Team at the NISM institute of the University of Namur. The team has expertise in theoretical and numerical physics, particularly in photonics. The research environment includes experienced researchers such as Prof. Michaël Lobet, Prof. Luc Henrard, Prof. Olivier Deparis and Prof. Alexandre Mayer. The candidate will also benefit from collaborations with universities and research institutions including Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, the University of Navarra, Tsinghua University and DTU. Close collaboration is planned with SPARK doctoral network members and with Prof. Benoit Hackens at UCLouvain.

Computational and Experimental Facilities

The research team has access to high-performance computing resources through the CECI consortium, including CPU and GPU-accelerated facilities. Additional access is available to regional Tier-1 supercomputing resources and EuroHPC initiatives. The laboratory has developed and uses numerical approaches including:

• Rigorous coupled-wave analysis.
• Plane-wave expansion methods.
• Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods.
• MEEP.
• MPB.
• Lumerical FDTD.
• COMSOL Multiphysics.

The candidate will also gain access to advanced fabrication and characterisation facilities through IMEC and INESC MN.

Secondments

The doctoral project includes international research secondments:

• 3 months at IMEC, Belgium: Exposure to nanofabrication of photonic structures.
• 6 months at INESC MN, Portugal: Structured-light characterisation using off‑axis digital holography.

These secondments will provide practical experience complementary to the theoretical and numerical research undertaken at the University of Namur.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A Master's degree in Physics, Astrophysics, Applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, M