Contents
Job openings
Post-doctoral Researchers
Group Opening
- Nanophotonics Theory Group: Post-doctoral position in design of integrated photonic waveguides with optimum in/out-coupling to light
- Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology Group: Post-doctoral position in advanced optical trapping within cells and biomolecular condensates
- Medical Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) for non-invasive blood flow measurement
- Quantum NanoElectronics and NanoMechanics Group: Post-doctoral position in nanotube electromechanics
- CO2 Mitigation Accelerated by Photons Group: Post-doctoral positions in advanced water electrolysis and scale-up
- Quantum Nano-Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral position in science and technology of moire quantum matter
- Quantum NanoElectronics and NanoMechanics Group: Post-doctoral positions in analogue electron quantum simulator
- Quantum Photonics with Solids and Atoms Group: Post-doctoral position in quantum repeaters with solid-state quantum nodes
- Ultracold Quantum Gases Group: Post-doctoral position on quantum-gas microscopy of SU(N) Fermi-Hubbard models
- Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral position in quantum communication
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral positions in Experimental quantum sensing with atomic systems
- Neurophotonics and Mechanical Systems Biology Group: Post-doctoral researcher in synthetic light-gated actuators for neuronal optogenetics
- Medical Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in applications of near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy in critical care
Project Engineers
Group Opening
- Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group: Project Researcher Engineer Position in Colloidal Quantum Dot Synthesis and Nanomaterials Development
- Optoelectronics Group: Research Engineer in quantum communication technologies
- PICs@ICFO Strategic Initiative: Process Engineer or Research Scientist in PIC Packaging
PhD-fellows
ICFO offers several pathways for talented and motivated candidates interested in pursuing a PhD within one of our Research Groups.
All PhD students admitted to ICFO receive a fully funded fellowship.
To be considered for institutional PhD fellowships, candidates must apply to the official PhD Fellowship Program Calls.
In addition, candidates may also submit separate applications to Group Openings advertised by specific research groups.
If no fellowship calls or group openings are open at the time of application, students who wish to pursue a PhD at ICFO are encouraged to contact the Group Leader(s) of the research groups they are interested in joining. Candidates should include their CV and a motivation/presentation letter when reaching out.
Students may also join ICFO with their own funding or through external fellowships such as the LaCaixa INPhINIT Incoming and Retaining calls. Interested candidates should apply directly to such programs and are likewise encouraged to contact the prospective the Group Leader(s) in advance.
For general information regarding ICFO fellowships and specific calls, please contact us at https://www.icfo.eu.
Currently we have the following call(s) open:
Undergraduate and Master Students
General Call
ICFO offers a variety of internship opportunities for talented and motivated Bachelor’s and Master’s students interested in undertaking a Final Degree Project, Master’s Thesis, or a Research Stay within one of our Research groups.
Students may join ICFO through our specialized Fellowship Programs when these are available. Alternatively, students can be hosted through funding programs such as Erasmus+, in which case they should apply through their home institution. If no ICFO fellowship programs are open at the time of application, students are encouraged to contact the group leaders directly. Some financial support may be provided by the host group. Please send the following documents when contacting the group leader(s) of your interest:
- A cover letter explaining your research interests, why you want to join that particular ICFO group, your career goals and any specific requests in terms of period and duration of the internship.
- Your CV including education, relevant experience, skills, and publications (if any).
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at jobs@icfo.eu.
Admin & Technical Engineers
Group Opening
Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group: Project Researcher Engineer Position in Colloidal Quantum Dot Synthesis and Nanomaterials Development
The Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group at ICFO is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated scientist to join our team as Project Researcher Engineer responsible for the development, synthesis, and supply of advanced colloidal quantum dots and related nanomaterials that underpin the group’s research activities.
The successful candidate will play a central role in the group’s research programs by serving as the lead scientist for colloidal quantum dot synthesis and nanomaterials development. Acting as the group’s primary synthesis expert, the candidate will enable multiple research directions within the project by delivering state-of-the-art materials while continuously expanding the group’s materials portfolio through the development of new synthesis methodologies and nanomaterial platforms.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface of chemistry, materials science, photonics, and device engineering within a highly interdisciplinary and internationally recognized research environment.
Key Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will serve as the group’s lead scientist for colloidal quantum dot synthesis and nanomaterial supply, supporting a broad portfolio of research activities spanning photodetectors, imaging technologies, photovoltaics, light emitters, modulators, and emerging optoelectronic devices.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing, optimizing, and scaling the synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and related nanomaterials to meet the needs of the group’s research related to infrared optoeletronics (ERC Consolidator Grant).
- Establishing new synthesis protocols and material platforms in response to emerging scientific opportunities and project requirements, including the development of novel infrared-absorbing and infrared-emitting quantum dot systems and advanced core-shell nanostructures.
- Producing, characterizing, and supplying high-quality nanomaterials to researchers within the group, ensuring reliable access to state-of-the-art materials for device fabrication and scientific investigations.
- Preserving, documenting, and transferring synthesis know-how generated within the group, ensuring continuity of expertise and research capabilities across successive generations of students and postdoctoral researchers.
- Training and mentoring researchers in quantum dot synthesis, nanomaterial processing, characterization techniques, and safe laboratory practices.
- Managing and maintaining the group’s chemistry laboratory facilities, including laboratory operations, safety compliance, inventory management, consumables procurement, equipment maintenance, purchasing activities, and budget oversight.
- Contributing to scientific publications, intellectual property generation, technical reports, and competitive research proposals related to nanomaterial synthesis and development.
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Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Required Expertise and Experience
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Proven experience in colloidal nanomaterial synthesis and laboratory operations, including responsibilities aligned with the scope of this position.
- Strong hands-on expertise in the synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and nanocrystalline materials.
- Demonstrated experience in the synthesis of high-quality, highly monodisperse infrared-absorbing and infrared-emitting quantum dots, including materials such as PbS, PbSe, silver chalcogenides, and III–V quantum dots (e.g., InAs and InSb), as well as corresponding core-shell nanostructures.
- Experience working effectively in multidisciplinary research environments involving close interactions with physicists, materials scientists, and device engineers. Previous participation in collaborative interdisciplinary projects is highly desirable.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in an international research environment.
- A highly proactive attitude, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple parallel activities and priorities.
Desirable Qualifications
The following qualifications will be considered advantageous:
- Demonstrated success in developing quantum dot materials that have enabled high-performance optoelectronic devices, imaging systems, or photovoltaic technologies. A strong publication record in leading scientific journals in this area will be considered a significant advantage.
- Experience transferring laboratory-scale synthesis processes toward larger-scale or highly reproducible production.
- Experience managing shared laboratory facilities.
What We Offer
- Indefinite contract for scientific and technical activities pursuant to Spanish Law 14/2011
- The opportunity to join one of the world’s leading research institutes in photonics and nanotechnology.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant international research environment.
- The possibility to play a key scientific and organizational role in enabling cutting-edge research across multiple projects and collaborations.
- Opportunities to contribute to high-impact scientific publications, competitive research proposals, and technology development activities.
- A stimulating and highly collaborative environment focused on next-generation optoelectronic technologies based on advanced colloidal nanomaterials.
- Additionally, a family allowance is also available on request and after corresponding approval for people with family charges in the terms described in the corresponding policy. A family allowance may be granted to candidates with dependents, upon request and in accordance with ICFO’s policies.
We are seeking a candidate who combines scientific excellence in quantum dot synthesis with outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, and who is excited by the opportunity to build and sustain a world-class nanomaterials platform supporting breakthrough research in optoelectronics and photonics.
ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based solely on merit and potential, regardless of gender, nationality, or disability. ICFO fully endorses the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and supportive recruitment process.
Suitable candidates are requested to submit:
- A presentation letter outlining your interest in the position.
- A curriculum vitae, including full contact information.
- The contact e-mail addresses of two referees who can provide professional references.
The selection process will include a pre-screening of applicants based on eligibility and experience, followed by interviews with a shortlist of candidates.
For formal enquiries regarding the application process, please contact: jobs@icfo.eu
For project and technology enquiries, please contact: gerasimos.konstantatos@icfo.eu
For more information about ICFO, visit: https://www.icfo.eu.
12th of July, 2026
Identify your interests
As your career goals and research interests are an integral part of the selection procedure itself, apart from the ICFOjobs site, we encourage you to browse ICFO’s corporate website to learn more about ICFO’s research activities and to identify the projects and/or areas that best match your background. We also recommend that you visit Careers @ ICFO. A clear indication of your interests and goals in your presentation letter will help us in reviewing your candidacy.
Did you identify an opening meeting your interest and career goals? Then, we are looking forward to your application!
Should there be no opening matching your interest or background, please contact us at jobs@icfo.eu or directly contact with the relevant ICFO Group Leaders or Unit Heads to explore potential future possibilities in their fields.
The application process
If you have identified an opening matching your interests, please read carefully the information about requirements, conditions and necessary application material and start the application process. Candidatures should be submitted online via ICFOjobs, our online application interface, in a 2-step procedure:
- Registration:
The button ‘Apply to this opening’ takes you to the online application form, gathering your personal data for identification purposes. Once submitted, you will receive a link by e-mail, which you must follow in order to continue the application process. - Application:
In this second step of the process you will be asked to provide further details and the necessary application material, as well as, in some of the openings, to indicate potential referees. All enclosed documentation must be in PDF format or plain text.
Once the application form is complete and the relevant material has been uploaded, submit your candidature by clicking on the ‘apply’ button. Candidates will receive an automatic reply acknowledging submission including a reference number for further enquiries or updates (within deadline).
By submitting an application, you grant ICFO permission to use the provided data for the recruiting process. (See Data Protection Policy.)
The review process
Applications will first be reviewed to assure that they meet the requirements and conditions as indicated in the job opening. Candidatures will then be evaluated by the corresponding Selection Committee according to the selection criteria of each opening. ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are selected exclusively on merit and potential on the basis of submitted application material. No restrictions related to disabilities, citizenship or gender apply to ICFO positions. ICFO abides by the principles of openness, efficiency, transparency, supportiveness, and international comparability as stated in the European Charter for Researchers and the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
ICFO will notify candidates who are selected to pass to the next stage in the review process. Candidates who do not pass the first step of the review process will be notified of the outcome of their application at this time.
When requested, reference letters play an important role in supporting the candidate in the review process. Unless the call applied for indicate specific requirements in that sense, referees will be automatically contacted by ICFO requesting them to complete a standardized evaluation form and submit a letter of support for the candidates. Candidates should by no means submit a reference letter in support of their own candidature on behalf of their referees. The members of the selection committee will have access to reference letters.
On-site or online interviews (aiming at discussing the candidate’s suitability, project contents, hiring conditions and legal matters, etc.) with the Selection committee may be scheduled.
Notification of results
All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application. Possible results are:
- Rejection:
The Selection Committee reaches the conclusion that the background of other candidate(s) appears to be more suitable for the position. - Waiting list:
Candidate(s) may be placed on a waiting list based on the shortlist proposed by the Selection Committee. Candidate(s) on this list may receive an offer in the event that the top-candidate does not accept the position. Waiting list candidates will receive a final decision as soon as the top-candidate confirms acceptance. - Acceptance / offer:
ICFO extends an official offer, asking the selected candidate for formal confirmation of acceptance.
The selection process is completed as soon as the candidate confirms acceptance of the offered position and a tentative starting date has been agreed.
After acceptance @ ICFO
Staff of the ICFO Human Resources and Education Unit will assist new ICFO members with the following procedures:
- Support with administrative and legal matters related to arriving and settling in, including immigration formalities (Visa application process, etc.) and personal assistance in relocation.
- Particularly for PhD-students: Information and advice on the necessary academic documentation to be gathered and submitted for enrollment in the PhD in Photonics program, including information about how to legalize previous studies (e.g. BSc, MSc, etc.) whenever necessary, as well as registration to the doctorate program and academic planning.
ICFO’s applicant database
The applicant database and all applications received through ICFOjobs, are managed by the staff of ICFO’s Human Resources and Education Unit. All information is handled with due confidentiality and solely for the purpose mentioned, and will be made available to the members of the Selection Committee in so far as they are necessary for the management of the process.
As indicated through the application process, other relevant information is also gathered for statistical purposes or in order to verify the eligibility requirements indicated in the corresponding call.
Do I have to submit my application exclusively online or may I also submit a hard copy?
ICFO only accepts applications submitted online via the ICFOjobs interface. As an exception, and only in case of force-majeure problems with electronic submission, candidates may submit their application in hard copy within the deadline.
Is it possible to apply for more than one opening? May I apply even if I have been considered for an ICFO opening in the past (i.e., re-application)?
Yes.
Do I receive a confirmation acknowledging reception of my application?
Yes.
Is it possible to update my personal data or application material? Likewise, will I be able to delete my application (and therefore all personal data)?
In the first step of application, through the online application form, you will have to provide your personal data including your contact e-mail. Once submitted, you will receive an acknowledging e-mail, containing a link which you have to follow in order to continue with the procedure (submission of application material, etc.). Via the link you receive by e-mail, you will also be able to update your data and application material (within the established deadlines) or even to withdraw your application.
In case of questions - whom shall I contact for help in submitting my application?
Please contact the recruiting staff of ICFO’s Human Resources at jobs@icfo.eu.
Particularly for PhD- and Postdoctoral openings: Is it possible to apply even if I have not yet finished the minimum academic qualification required?
Yes, unless the call explicitly indicates otherwise, but please indicate this clearly in your presentation letter. In general, candidates should hold an internationally-recognized degree or evidence of its completion before the prospective starting date.
Applications need to be supported by reference letters. How should these be submitted?
For exact details on how to proceed with reference letters, please check the specific opening you are applying for. In general, you will be requested to indicate name, institution, contact data, and relationship in the last part of the online application form. Depending on the opening, referees will be automatically contacted by ICFO requesting them to complete a standardized evaluation form and submit a letter of support for the candidates. Candidates should by no means submit a reference letter in support of their own candidature on behalf of their referees.
Submission of academic transcripts and degrees?
The required documentation to be submitted for application is indicated in the ‘application process’ of each opening. In general, ICFO will ask that you provide a copy of your most recent academic degree certificate. Additionally, and particularly for fellowships and internship positions, ICFO will also need you to submit scanned copies of your academic transcripts (current and previous studies). The academic transcripts contain the list of courses, including the credits and marks obtained. Provisional degree certificates are generally accepted by ICFO.
The application form requires the indication of my GPA – what shall I indicate?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. Apart from other criteria, selection for ICFO positions, above all for fellowships and internships, is measured in terms of the academic performance. In this regard, ICFO needs an indication of the average of your final overall grade obtained in your studies (stated in your transcripts), the minimum grade required to pass in your university and the maximum grade that can be achieved or the overall qualification obtained in your PhD-studies (for applicants with a PhD-degree).
Retrieve your application
Contact
You can write an email to Human Resources and Education at ICFO.