Postdoc position in Cultural Heritage Science (NISM, naXys, PaTHs Research Institutes)

Responsabilities

This project is part of an interdisciplinary team conducting several doctoral and postdoctoral projects in Cultural Heritage Science, bringing together PIs from the NISM, PaTHs and naXys institutes.

Research project Gallo-Roman fibulae are key historical witnesses holding information on chronology and ancient socioeconomic practices. Historians and archaeologists have often called for the contribution of analytical techniques to unveil the composition or the degradation compounds of archaeological records, which can allow establishing their classification, origin, or manufacturing techniques. The enamelled fibulae are particularly interesting since they are characteristic of a small area of the Roman Empire (i.e. Gaul-Belgium, Germania and Roman Brittany) and their production (starting in 1st century AD) seems to have quickly fully replaced the unglazed fibulae (2nd century AD). This project aims to carry out highly complementary and sensitive analytical surface techniques to reveal the secrets of a selection of the enamelled fibulae found in the necropolis of Villées, close to Namur. Combining Ion Beam Analysis (IBA), Raman micro-spectroscopy and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), we aim to identify the origin of the raw materials along with the methods used for manufacturing the enamelled fibulae (i.e. the alloys and the coloured enamels). The ability of IBA and ToFSIMS to detect trace elements (down to the ppm level) can help to identify the origin of materials and discriminating between the existence of different workshops. The Raman micro-spectroscopy can reveal morphological, structural, or physicochemical differences that could be linked to changes in the manufacturing procedures (e.g. temperature). For the enamels, we intend to establish 2D IBA (chemical composition) and Raman (vitreous phases) maps, which could bring invaluable information about changes in enamels manufacturing methods. A key objective of this project will be to assess to which extend data science numerical tools could help us for processing large datasets of different nature (Raman, IBA & ToF-SIMS), inevitably generated when mapping materials. Finally, this project aims to strengthen the synergy not only within NISM PI’s (analytical techniques), but also with the NaXys institute (data science), and the local actors from the Archaeology Society of Namur (historians, curators, and archaeologists).

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate, who must have a PhD thesis in experimental physics, applied sciences, chemistry or assimilated. The candidate:

• has a background knowledge in spectroscopy and/or materials science;

• is willing to collaborate with IA experts in analyzing and interpreting the results;

• is highly motivated by conducting a collaborative and interdisciplinary research project;

• has good communications skills in English (reading, writing and speaking);

Additional information

Candidates are requested to send by e-mail to julien.colaux@unamur.be before 30th October 2025 (to take office on 12th January 2026): an updated CV with a full list of publications, a motivation letter and two reference letters from professors or previous supervisors. The selection procedure will be based on the analysis of the applications, along with the audition of preselected candidates.

Starting date: 12/01/2026

Contract : 1-year fixed-term contract

Category : Postdoc

Remarks

Scientific Environnement

The NISM Institute (https://nism.unamur.be/) NISM teams work on various research topics in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemistry of materials, surface science, solid state chemistry and physics from theoretical and experimental points of view. It aims at exchanging and sharing skills and ideas in the field of synthesis and functionalization of molecular systems and innovative materials, of 0 to 3 dimensions. It also aims at facilitating the rational design of solids with specific architectures and surface properties, while developing advanced techniques for the study of their physicochemical properties.

The naXys Institute (https://www.naxys.be/) The main objective of naXys is the study of complex systems, by means of the analysis of real-world data, their modelling through mathematics and numerical simulations, and their control and optimization. Our belief is that a proper understanding of systems requires a modelling step, which allows to identify causal relationships between various parameters and to identify the mechanisms by which they operate. This abstraction must be based on empirical validation, but the mining of data alone is neither sufficient nor satisfactory. For this reason, a knowledge of the specific domain and the use of adequate tools in modelling, analysis and simulations are essential.

The PaTHs Institute (https://paths.unamur.be/) The Heritages, Transmissions & Inheritances (PaTHs) Institute is a federation of research centres and groups that have emerged in and around the Arts Faculty of UNamur in recent years. Bringing together the researchers of those entities, it aims to encourage a diachronic approach to social and cultural phenomena in the broadest sense. It also aims to strengthen collaboration between several “human sciences” that are usually perceived as complementary, but whose subjects and research methods are in fact very heterogeneous.

FACILITIES This postdoctoral project will be pursued by using the technological platforms of UNamur LOS, SIAM, and PTCI (https://platforms.unamur.be/)