Contents
Job openings
Director
Post-doctoral Researchers
General Call
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
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral positions in Experimental quantum sensing with atomic systems
- 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
- PICs@ICFO Strategic Initiative: Process Engineer or Research Scientist in PIC Packaging
- Single Molecule Biophotonics Group: Project Researcher Engineer in the field of cell membrane mechanobiology
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:
Group Opening
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.
Director of Scientific and Technological Services
ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a world-leading research centre devoted to advancing the science and technologies of light. Based in Castelldefels (Barcelona), ICFO combines frontier research, education, innovation and technology transfer to generate scientific and societal impact.
Over the past two decades, ICFO has established itself as an internationally recognized centre of excellence and a global reference in photonics. Today, with a highly international community of around 500 employees representing more than 70 nationalities, ICFO continues its institutional development aimed at strengthening scientific excellence, research capabilities and long-term impact.
ICFO is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Leadership comprising the Director and the Managing Director, responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational development of the Institute.
As part of its ongoing institutional development, ICFO is creating a new senior leadership position to strengthen the strategic coordination and long-term development of its shared scientific and technological services.
These services currently include the Mechanical Workshop, Electronics Workshop, Nanofabrication Laboratory (NFL), Nanocharacterization Laboratory (NCL), Chemical Laboratory and Post-Processing Laboratory (PPL), Biological Laboratory and Super-resolution Light Microscopy and Nanoscopy (SLN), and will continue to evolve as new scientific capabilities, including research infrastructure, major scientific equipment and specialized technical services, are developed.
ICFO is seeking an outstanding leader to serve as Director of Scientific and Technological Services.
Reporting directly to the Executive Leadership, the successful candidate will serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and the Managing Director on matters relating to scientific infrastructure, shared research capabilities and scientific and technological services. The Director of Scientific and Technological Services will work closely with research group leaders, the Head of General Infrastructure and other institutional leaders to ensure that ICFO’s scientific capabilities continue to evolve in support of frontier research.
The Director of Scientific and Technological Services will provide strategic leadership for ICFO’s scientific and technological services, shared scientific capabilities and major research infrastructure. Beyond ensuring their effective operation, the successful candidate will help shape the Institute’s future scientific capabilities through strategic planning, stewardship of scientific infrastructure and close collaboration with the scientific community.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the scientific excellence and long-term development of one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
Main Responsibilities
Executive Leadership Support and Strategic Planning
- Serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and the Managing Director on matters relating to ICFO’s scientific capabilities, research infrastructure and scientific and technological services.
- Translate the Institute’s scientific priorities into long-term strategies for the development of shared scientific capabilities, research infrastructure and scientific services.
- Work closely with research groups and the Executive Leadership to identify, assess and prioritize major institutional investments in scientific equipment and infrastructure, ensuring that institutional investments reflect the Institute’s scientific priorities, long-term strategy and the evolving needs of its research community.
Scientific and Technological Services
- Lead and develop ICFO’s scientific and technological service units, fostering operational excellence, collaboration and a strong service culture.
- Ensure that ICFO’s scientific and technological services continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of research groups and the Institute’s scientific priorities.
- Promote the development of new shared scientific capabilities, services and research infrastructure that strengthen ICFO’s research environment.
Scientific Capabilities and Infrastructure
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive institutional inventory and strategic overview of ICFO’s major scientific equipment and shared research infrastructure, including utilization, maintenance, lifecycle status and future investment priorities.
- Lead the strategic planning of scientific infrastructure and major research equipment throughout their lifecycle, including acquisition, utilization, maintenance, renewal and replacement.
- Maintain close dialogue with research groups to understand their evolving scientific and technological needs, ensuring that future scientific capabilities and infrastructure investments respond effectively to the Institute’s research priorities.
- Promote the strategic sharing of scientific infrastructure, technical expertise and specialized capabilities across research groups, maximizing scientific impact and the effective use of institutional resources.
- Maintain active engagement with leading international research institutions, scientific infrastructure networks and technology providers to identify emerging technologies, benchmark best practices and anticipate future scientific capabilities relevant to ICFO.
Governance, Financial Sustainability and Compliance
- In close collaboration with the Executive Leadership, contribute to the definition and implementation of the institutional governance framework, costing and funding models, and strategic priorities for ICFO’s scientific and technological services.
- Implement and oversee institutional frameworks that ensure the sustainable, efficient and compliant operation of scientific and technological services, including costing methodologies, pricing policies, resource planning and performance indicators.
- Coordinate the provision of scientific and technological services to internal and external users, promoting consistent institutional practices, appropriate cost recovery and compliance with applicable legal, financial and public-sector requirements.
- Develop institutional metrics to evaluate the scientific, strategic and financial contribution of ICFO’s scientific and technological services, supporting evidence-based planning, investment decisions and the continuous improvement of the Institute’s shared scientific capabilities.
Organizational Leadership and Development
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented and high-performing culture.
- Lead the continued development and integration of ICFO’s scientific and technological services and, in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership, define priorities and a strategic roadmap for its future evolution.
- Work closely with the Head of General Infrastructure to ensure the coordinated planning and long-term development of ICFO’s scientific and physical infrastructure.
- Represent ICFO within national and international scientific infrastructure networks, promoting collaboration, benchmarking and the exchange of best practices.
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Candidate Profile
We seek an outstanding leader with a strong scientific or engineering background, substantial experience managing research infrastructure or scientific services, and demonstrated ability to combine strategic thinking with operational excellence. The successful candidate will be comfortable working at the interface between science, technology, operations, institutional management and strategic planning.
Essential Qualifications
- PhD or Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Nanotechnology or another relevant scientific or engineering discipline. Additional postgraduate training in management or business administration is desirable.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing scientific infrastructure, research facilities, scientific services or related technical organizations.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and complex organizational environments.
- Experience within internationally recognized research institutions, universities or similarly research-intensive environments.
- Demonstrated experience in scientific infrastructure planning, research equipment management or core facility development.
- Experience managing significant operational budgets and scientific infrastructure investments.
- Proven ability to work closely with researchers, technical staff and senior institutional leadership.
- Strong understanding of research infrastructure lifecycle management, including maintenance, renewal and long-term strategic planning.
- Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent command of English (minimum CEFR C1), both written and spoken.
Desired Qualifications
- MBA or postgraduate education in management, innovation or leadership.
- International experience managing scientific infrastructure or research facilities.
- Experience establishing or expanding scientific service units.
- Familiarity with European research infrastructures, large-scale scientific facilities and research infrastructure funding programmes.
- Knowledge of the research and innovation ecosystem in Catalonia, Spain and Europe.
- Knowledge of Catalan at level C1 or equivalent, or commitment to demonstrate equivalent proficiency through an internal assessment in accordance with Catalan public-sector requirements.
Personal Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic vision and systems thinking.
- Scientific curiosity and sound technical judgement.
- Strong leadership and organizational capabilities.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to build consensus across scientific and technical communities.
- Initiative, flexibility and execution capacity.
- Commitment to excellence, quality and continuous improvement.
- Integrity, sound judgement and a strong sense of institutional responsibility.
- Appreciation for multicultural and international research environments.
What ICFO Offers
At ICFO, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading research institutions and to play a key role in shaping its future development and international presence.
The position provides:
- A highly stimulating and international environment.
- A senior leadership role with close interaction with the Director and the Managing Director.
- The opportunity to contribute to the visibility and impact of frontier science.
- Direct interaction with world-leading scientists and strategic partners.
- Significant scope for creativity, institutional development and long-term impact.
- The opportunity to lead and develop a highly capable multidisciplinary area with broad institutional reach and impact.
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- A unique location in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most vibrant scientific, cultural and innovation hubs.
Equal Opportunity
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.
Conditions
This is a full-time position.
The contract offered will be a permanent contract (contracte indefinit) linked to the approved Public Employment Offer (Oferta Pública d’Ocupació – OPO) of ICFO and governed by the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A probationary period of 6 months will apply, in accordance with ICFO’s internal labor regulations and the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A salary according to ICFO’s approved salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the level of the position and the candidate’s experience.
The selected candidate will join ICFO under a permanent contract and will benefit from ICFO’s attractive working conditions, including a hybrid work model, flexible working hours, and access to professional development opportunities.
To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your experience, and contact information for 2 professional references. Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform http://jobs.icfo.eu.
The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:
1. Eligibility check of applications.
2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
3. Written test to assess technical knowledge related to the job position
4. Interview with shortlisted candidates
The Evaluation Committee will include at least three members and ensure gender balance and impartiality.
Each phase will be documented, and candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.
Data Protection
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.
- Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).
- DPO: dpo@icfo.eu
- Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.
- Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.
- Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat
All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).
Reference: 1123
Application deadline: 31.08.26
31st of August, 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.