The PHOENIX project seeks to renew our understanding of medieval parchments and antique coins. Artificial intelligence will be challenged to analyse data generated by materials characterization. This joint study will address questions about the production chain and the use of these objects and materials in past societies. Like the Phoenix which regenerates itself from age to age, we believe that the introduction of machine learning methods in heritage sciences will open a new age in this field.
In the frame of the project, the University of Namur opens a 12-months renewable postdoctoral researcher position for an expert in ML/AI techniques interested by applications in Cultural Heritage Science (analysis of spectroscopic data measured on antique coins and medieval manuscripts for classification and datation).
Scientific Environnement
The NISM Institute
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
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. The different poles of the institute
reflect its interdisciplinary nature. Research topics and expertise include pure or applied mathematics, theoretical biology, economics, astronomy, quantum physics, artificial intelligence and robotics. The institute organizes skill development sessions and regular seminars to promote interactions between its members.
The PaTHs Institute
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.
The postdoctoral researcher will have access to the high-performance computing facilities of the University of Namur.
Deadline for application is on November 30th 2025.
Hiring is scheduled for January 2026.
