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Direction du Personnel Rue de Bruxelles, 61 B-5000 Namur Tél. : +32 (0)81 72 40 40 Fax : +32 (0)81 72 40 48 |
Le Conseil d'administration de
l'Université de Namur annonce la vacance du(des) poste(s) suivant(s) |
Post-Doc researcher for thermal and optical in-silico study of sustainable coating and decoating methods of PVD layers full-time (W/M/X)/(F/M/X)
Department : LARN
Grade : researcher
Contract : fixed term contract with trial period - The Board of Directors includes a 2 year probation period for new personnel in Academic positions at the University of Namur. Normally, after this period the candidate is named.
Category : scientific personnel
Allocation : External funds
Responsabilities
Background
The position is a part of the ECODECO project, funded by FTJ (Fond de la Transition Juste), with different academic partners from Walloon Region (UNAMUR, UCL, CRM, Cenaero, UMONS, Materia Nova, Multitel and CTP) and an industrial steering committee. Modifying the surface of an object can significantly increase its lifespan or performance, and this methodology is used in many fields such as cutting tools, polymer metallization, the medical sector, or optics. However, adding such a material to a surface, even if the thickness remains small (1nm – 10 μm), hinders the recyclability of the object due to the difference in materials. For better recycling, it is therefore necessary to remove the coating. In certain sectors, such as high-value-added machining tools, the object can even be decoated, re-prepared, and recoated (recharged) multiple times during its lifecycle. Decoating is usually done by methods based on pyrometallurgy, a very energy-intensive method that separates materials thermally, or chemically, using baths with high concentrations of alkaline products and surfactants, which have a significant environmental impact. The ECODECO project portfolio is dedicated to implementing eco-friendly solutions based on XR or laser to enable the decoating of objects at the end of their life. The portfolio includes the production of standard samples, the study of their aging, and the implementation of decoating solutions, both through an experimental approach and using digital tools.
Description of the position
The position is a full time (possibly 90% or 80% part time) position for 2 years at the University of Namur. The post-doc researcher will focus on development and simulation of thin coating deposition, aging and decoating processes. The researcher will work in close collaboration with another postdoctoral researcher (working on the experimental aspects), external academic partners, and the developing team from ICS (Innovative Coating Solutions, a spin-off of LARN laboratory) which is in charge of the development of “Virtual Coater”, the main software used in this project. More specifically, the tasks of the project are the following: - Development of a thermal-stress analysis tool adapted to microscopic scale structures (low-pressure coatings). - Simulation of aging phenomena due to high temperature. - Adaptation of the thermal-stress analysis tool to optical models (transfer-matrix, RCWA or FDTD) to predict XR or LASER beam absorption effect on the coating. - Use the developed tools to support the design of interface layers and to predict decoating phenomena.
Profile
A successful candidate must have:
- A PhD degree in Physics or Material science,
- Experience in software development (skill in c++ required),
- Experience in multiscale multi-physics simulations. Knowledge in finite element is a plus.
In addition, the candidate will have the following skills:
- Work in team,
- Proficient in English,
- French is a plus.
Additional information
- Concerning the recruitment and selection procedure: jerome.muller@unamur.be.
- For any other question concerning the content of the position or its context: jerome.muller@unamur.be.
Remarks
Starting date: 01/05/2026.
How to apply?
To apply please send a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae by e-mail to jerome.muller@unamur.be until April 30, 2026.
