Full-Time Professor in Materials Synthesis and Characterization – Department of Physics

Responsabilities

The Faculty of Science at the University of Namur hosts nearly 1,400 students and 500 staff members, including 60 academics and 300 researchers. It offers programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The successful candidate will join the Department of Physics, which includes 16 academics conducting research in optics, biophysics, materials science, and space sciences. You will also be part of the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM) and benefit from the technological platforms available at UNamur (https://platforms.unamur.be). Your responsibilities will include:

• Teaching undergraduate and graduate courses totaling approximately 170 hours/year after a three-year gradual ramp-up. This includes general physics courses for first-year students in large lecture halls and specialized master's level courses in physics. The course portfolio may evolve based on the candidate’s profile and curriculum changes.

• Conducting research in materials synthesis and characterization (surfaces and interfaces, 2D materials, nanomaterials, thin films, etc.) with applications in life sciences or energy transition. This research will align with the department’s activities, NISM, and potentially NARILIS or ILEE institutes.

• Supervising doctoral theses and master’s dissertations in your area of expertise.

• Seeking external funding to support your research.

• Actively participating in departmental, faculty, and university service activities.

Profile

Education, Training, and Experience

• You must hold a PhD in physics or a related field at the time of application.

• You must have a high-level research activity at the international level and at least one year of postdoctoral experience (in an institution different from where you completed your PhD).

Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Significant experience and proven expertise in materials synthesis and characterization, evidenced by publications in internationally recognized scientific journals.

• Ability to propose an original research program in materials synthesis and characterization with applications in life sciences or energy transition.

• Capacity to integrate into existing structures at UNamur, particularly within the Department of Physics and NISM, and potentially NARILIS or ILEE.

• Strong motivation and aptitude for university-level teaching.

• Ability to teach in French to large audiences by the end of the three-year probationary period.

• Ability to develop relevant ideas for student education and training.

• Skills in managing and developing a research team and securing necessary funding.

• Proficiency in English.

Key Selection Criteria:

• The qualifications and skills listed above.

• The quality of the teaching and research projects submitted with the application.

• The quality of the interview.

Additional information

Selection Process:

• Review and selection of applications by the recruitment committee.

• Interview with the committee, including a presentation of the research and teaching projects, a lecture on a pre-assigned topic, and a discussion with the committee.

• Interview with the Human Resources Department.

• Final decision by the Board of Directors.

Application Procedure:

Applications must include:

• A detailed CV

• A cover letter

• The UNamur application form (https://www.unamur.be/en/university/work/forms)

• A two-page document outlining the teaching project and vision for university education

• A five-page document detailing a short-, medium-, and long-term research project, including potential collaborations with UNamur teams, international partnerships, and equipment needs beyond existing UNamur platforms

• A complete list of publications

• A list of three referees who may be contacted if selected for an interview

Send your application by email to the Human Resources Department at candidature@unamur.be no later than November 30, 2025.

Remarks

Contract:

Permanent with probationary period – The Board of Directors generally grants this position for a three-year term if the selected candidate is being appointed for the first time to the academic staff of the University of Namur (as per Article 5 of the academic staff regulations). At the end of the three-year term, the candidate will be confirmed and permanently appointed, subject to a positive evaluation by the assessment committee.

Contact Information:

• For questions about the position, contact Pierre Louette, Head of the Physics Department: direction.physique@unamur.be

• For administrative questions, contact Human Resources: francois.leroy@unamur.be About the University of Namur

The University of Namur welcomes over 7,200 students from nearly 70 nationalities each year. It includes:

• 7 Faculties

• 1 Interfaculty Department

• 11 Research Institutes

• 11 Technological Platforms

• Support Services

More information: https://www.unamur.be/universite/jobs

Salary Package and Benefits

Working at UNamur offers:

• Internal and external training opportunities

• Full reimbursement of public transport subscription, bicycle allowance, free parking (cars/bikes)

• (Extra) legal holidays* and collective closure between Christmas and New Year

• Insurance: Private life accident insurance and hospitalization insurance at a preferential rate (employee contribution)

• Access to a daycare center, after-school care services, and other benefits at preferential rates

According to UNamur’s current policies.

For more information on the salaty package : https://www.unamur.be/fr/universite/travailler/baremes-avantages