ICFO jobs & fellowships

Welcome to ICFOjobs

Our job openings site and
online application interface

Please consult openings for further information on available projects and positions, as well as for elegibility, conditions, required application material and deadlines.

We invite displaced researchers and eligible MSc and PhD students, in particular those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, to apply to the opening listed below that fits best their case. A statement describing clearly the applicant’s situation and eligibility is to be included in the corresponding presentation letter.

Dear applicant,

In the event that you have lost the acknowledging e-mail containing the link providing access to your application, you may retrieve your data by completing the form below.

Please, provide the required data and click on the ‘submit’ button. You will receive an e-mail, containing the link to your application.

In case of any troubles, please contact us at jobs@icfo.eu.

Are you interested in a position or a specific opening at ICFO, browsed our FAQs section, but still have a question you would need us to answer? Would you like to know more about a career at ICFO, or the application process? If so, please do not hesitate to contact us by submitting the form below.

Contents

Job openings

Team Leaders

Post-doctoral Researchers

Group Opening

Staff Researchers

Project Engineers

PhD-fellows

General Call

A rolling call of the ICFO PhD Program, with periodic deadlines, is always open for candidates applying to do a PhD at ICFO.

All candidates will be considered for all available fellowships for which they are eligible. Some specific fellowships are announced through targeted calls. Candidates applying to these calls are also considered for all other fellowships for which they are eligible.

Students may also join ICFO with their own funding or through external fellowships. Interested candidates should apply directly to such programs, and may wish to contact ICFO research groups they might be interested to join.

For further general information on fellowships and specific calls, please contact us at jobs@icfo.eu

Currently we have the following call(s) open

Under- and Postgraduate Students

General Call

  • Internships for Undergraduate & Masters Students - Spring 2025: all applicants will be notified the results of the evaluation in their case by the end of May 2025, at the latest.
  • ICFO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ON THE FRONTIERS OF LIGHT: Physics for Biology and Medicine (From July 7, 2025 to July 11, 2025). Full details of the school program and application form.

  • Admin & Technical Engineers

    Labour Affairs Officer

    ICFO is a leading research center in the field of photonics, dedicated to advancing the science and technology of light and its applications. Located in the Mediterranean Technology Park in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, ICFO is at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation in areas such as quantum technologies, biophotonics, clean tech, and photonic integrated circuits. ICFO employs 500 people, including researchers, PhD students and staff personnel. In its area of specialization and category, the institute is consistently ranked among the highest-quality research institutions worldwide. Our mission is to contribute to scientific knowledge, foster technology transfer, educate of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and promote the responsible engagement of science in society.

    POSITION OVERVIEW

    ICFO is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Labour Affairs Officer to join our team and play a key role in ensuring the effective management of labour affairs handlings. This includes all the labour handlings of the contractual lifecycle, residential permits and leaves as well as tasks of implementation of applicable policies and procedures. The successful candidate will join the existing Labour Affairs team and work in coordination with the team distributing tasks according to the needs.

    KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

    As a Labour Affairs Officer, your key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):


    • Following up available budget for personnel costs, synch with project funding unit to get the necessary information and provide the relevant information to ICFO Group Leaders.
    • Managing the labour handlings in the whole contractual lifecycle: offers, new contracts, social security, contract amendments, contract finalization and payroll, in sync with the external labour office and providing the relevant information to ICFOnians.
    • Managing the handlings for residential permits preparing the relevant documents and providing information and assistance to ICFOnians on this area.
    • Managing the corresponding handlings for the different leaves, permits and holidays tracking.
    • Managing the corresponding fiscal handlings for non-residents.
    • Calculate and keep updated the contract costs for the different types of contracts and ICFO positions in line with ICFO salary policy.
    • Ensure correct filing of the corresponding documents and information.
    • Keeping up to date the personnel data base.
    • Keep improving the data management of personnel data base implementing automatized tools to be able to extract and analyze the data efficiently.
    • Keep track of applicable policies and define detailed work-flows and procedures for the implementation of applicable policies in the labour-related area.
    • Prepare labour information and documents as required for audit purposes.
    • Prepare certificates for ICFOnians.
    • Other related tasks in the area.

    Share this opening!

    Use the following URL:
    https://jobs.icfo.eu/?detail=986

    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED


    • A University degree in the Labour Relations field.
    • Advanced level of English (minimum C1 level) with the ability to communicate effectively both in written and spoken forms.
    • Proven experience (minimum 3 years) in labour relations management in a Spanish research or educational institution.
    • Knowledge of European and National competitive funding programs and mechanisms.
    • Expertise in managing residential permits.
    • A service-oriented mindset, with initiative, high attention to detail, organizational commitment, and a strong team spirit.
    • Good communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders effectively.

    We will also value demonstrable experience in:


    • Specific expertise in managing non-Eu residential permits.
    • Experience with SAP Business One.
    • Good knowledge of Excel, including experience with Pivot tables.
    • Good knowledge of Office 365 advanced utilities such as Power Automate, Sharepoint, teams.


    WHAT WE OFFER


    • Hybrid Work Model: Enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
    • Standard Workweek: Benefit from a 37.5-hour workweek, allowing for personal time and pursuits.
    • Attractive Labor Calendar: Take advantage of generous vacation days and public holidays
    • Professional Development: Access a range of training programs and language courses to enhance your skills and career growth.
    • Flexible Compensation: Participate in flexible retribution programs, tailoring your benefits to suit your individual needs.
    • Commuter Support: Utilize our free daily shuttle bus service between Barcelona and ICFO, easing your daily commute
    • Inclusive Environment: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognized for its commitment to equality and awarded for its diversity and inclusion efforts.

    CONDITIONS

    This is a full-time permanent position. The contract offered will be interim if the Oferta Pública d’Ocupació is not approved at the time of incorporation.
    A competitive salary within ICFO’s salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the seniority of the applicant.

    To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your experience and contact information for two professional references. Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform http://jobs.icfo.eu.

    Selection will include a pre-screening of applicants based on eligibility and experience, followed by an interview with a short-list of candidates.

    Candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.

    ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

    For updated information about ICFO, please visit http://www.icfo.eu.

    Until positions are filled.

    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:

    1. 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.
    2. 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:

    1. Rejection:
      The Selection Committee reaches the conclusion that the background of other candidate(s) appears to be more suitable for the position.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.

    Appendix

    No vacancies matching your profile?

    In the event that there are no published vacancies matching your academic or professional background, you may contact us at jobs@icfo.eu.

    Data Protection Statement

    ICFO endeavours to safeguard and protect the privacy and confidentiality of your personal data pursuant to applicable laws (GDPR) and implementing regulations.

    To help achieve this goal ICFO has drafted a Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use and otherwise handle “Personal Information” we receive from you when you use ICFO websites and explains the circumstances in which we may transfer this to others.

    The full policy can be found in ICFO's main website.

    Our Data Privacy Policy must be read together with any other legal notices or terms and conditions also available on our Website (Terms of use and Cookies Policy).

    If you have any questions in relation to this Data Privacy Policy, or if you would like to contact us to exercise your rights as stated in our Privacy Policy, you should check ICFO's website.