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 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 in application-driven PIC development for neutral atom quantum technologies
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral positions in Experimental quantum sensing with atomic systems
- Post-doctoral position in functional nanostructured surfaces
- Medical Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in applications of near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy in critical care
Project Engineers
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:
General Call
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.
Admin & Technical Engineers
Group Opening
Research Group Officers
ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a world-leading research center 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 center 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, organizational effectiveness and long-term impact.
As a public research institution, ICFO is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Leadership comprising the Director and the Managing Director, who are responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational development of the Institute.
ICFO is seeking Research Group Officers to strengthen the administrative and organizational support provided to its Research Groups.
The Role
Research Group Officers will provide structured administrative and organizational support to a portfolio of Research Groups.
Their purpose will be to reduce the administrative and coordination burden currently absorbed by Group Leaders and research staff, while improving the quality, consistency and timeliness of interactions with ICFO’s Operational Teams.
RGOs will take ownership of the preparation, organization, coordination and follow-up of the administrative matters assigned to their role. They will help ensure that applicable policies, procedures, documentation requirements, approvals and deadlines are properly addressed.
The scope of the role will be defined through a common and evolving catalogue of activities, processes and responsibilities. This catalogue will clarify the tasks owned by RGOs, those owned by other institutional teams, and the matters requiring coordination or escalation.
The role is focused on institutional activities associated with the operation of Research Groups. Personal assistance and tasks unrelated to institutional research activity are outside its scope.
Each RGO will support a limited portfolio of Research Groups. Group Leaders will identify the needs and operational priorities arising from their group activity, within the agreed institutional framework.
A designated RGO Coordinator will be responsible for hierarchical supervision, workload allocation, prioritization across groups, consistency of practice and professional development. The RGO Coordinator will report to the Executive Leadership.
RGOs will work in close alignment with ICFO’s Operational Teams. These teams will provide the procedures, criteria, information and training required for RGOs to perform their role consistently and effectively. RGOs will, in turn, help ensure that these teams receive complete, structured and timely information and will contribute to the continuous improvement of institutional processes.
Main Responsibilities
Administrative and Organizational Support
- Provide structured administrative support to assigned Research Groups.
- Help Group Leaders and researchers navigate ICFO’s policies, procedures and institutional requirements.
- Prepare, organize and follow up on requests, documentation and recurring administrative processes.
- Anticipate requirements, deadlines and approvals.
- Maintain visibility over pending matters and support their timely completion.
Institutional Coordination
- Coordinate administrative interactions between Research Groups and the relevant institutional teams.
- Structure and channel requests to the appropriate Operational Teams.
- Help ensure that information is complete, coherent and submitted through the appropriate processes.
- Monitor actions involving several teams and escalate unresolved issues when required.
- Support compliance with institutional policies, procedures and deadlines.
Support to Research Activity
- Contribute to the administrative and organizational preparation of activities involving Research Groups.
- Support processes related to visitors, meetings, events, logistics, onboarding, personnel matters, training, travel, purchasing, access and other recurring institutional activities.
- Coordinate with the teams responsible for each process and work according to their procedures and guidance.
- Prepare briefings, supporting documentation and practical arrangements where required.
Process Improvement and Digital Transformation
- Contribute to the review, simplification and standardization of administrative processes affecting Research Groups.
- Participate in digital-transformation initiatives led by the relevant Operational Teams.
- Support the implementation and adoption of new tools, workflows and ways of working.
- Identify recurring inefficiencies, gaps, duplication and opportunities for improvement.
- Provide structured feedback based on day-to-day interaction with Research Groups and institutional teams.
Positioning and Working Relationships
Research Group Officers will be hierarchically assigned to the RGO coordination function.
Functionally, they will work closely with their assigned Group Leaders and research teams, while maintaining an institution-wide perspective and operating within common processes, priorities and standards.
RGOs will also work regularly with the RGO Coordinator and other Research Group Officers; and Operational Teams and Scientific Development services.
The effectiveness of the role will depend on close coordination, regular information exchange and shared ways of working across Research Groups and institutional teams.
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Candidate Profile
We seek highly organized, responsible and service-oriented professionals with experience in administrative coordination within complex organizations.
Successful candidates will be capable of managing several matters simultaneously, organizing information from different sources and maintaining reliable follow-up across multiple stakeholders.
They will take ownership of assigned responsibilities, work proactively and ensure that administrative requirements and deadlines are properly addressed. They will combine responsiveness to Research Groups with consistency, institutional judgement and alignment with common procedures.
Essential Qualifications
- University degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Relevant experience in administrative coordination, executive support, project support, research administration or a comparable role.
- Experience working in a complex organization involving multiple teams and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to organize documentation, processes, deadlines and follow-up actions.
- Ability to manage several priorities simultaneously and maintain oversight of pending matters.
- Strong organizational and digital skills.
- Clear written and oral communication skills.
- Professional command of Catalan and Spanish.
- Working professional knowledge of English.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in a university, research center, hospital or comparable knowledge-intensive environment.
- Experience supporting research teams, senior professionals or multidisciplinary groups.
- Familiarity with administrative processes related to personnel, onboarding, travel, purchasing, visitors, events or training.
- Experience with enterprise management systems, workflow tools or institutional databases.
- Experience contributing to process improvement, standardization or digitalization.
- Familiarity with the Catalan research and innovation ecosystem.
Personal Competencies
The successful candidates will demonstrate:
- ownership and accountability;
- reliability and consistent follow-through;
- strong organizational and prioritization skills;
- attention to policies, requirements and deadlines;
- a proactive and practical approach;
- sound judgement and discretion;
- the ability to work autonomously within a common institutional framework;
- clear and constructive communication;
- the ability to coordinate stakeholders without hierarchical authority;
- flexibility and responsiveness to changing needs;
- commitment to institutional processes and continuous improvement.
What ICFO Offers
At ICFO, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the development of a new institutional support model designed to improve the working environment of Research Groups and strengthen administrative coordination across the Institute.
The position provides:
- a highly stimulating and international research environment;
- direct interaction with Research Groups and institutional professionals;
- a transversal role with broad exposure across ICFO;
- meaningful responsibility and autonomy;
- structured training and close collaboration with specialist teams;
- the opportunity to contribute to new processes, tools and ways of working;
- professional development within a complex scientific institution;
- competitive conditions commensurate with experience and qualifications;
- a unique location in Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading scientific, cultural and innovation hubs.
Equal Opportunity
ICFO is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applications are encouraged from outstanding candidates regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
Conditions
This is an established structural position at ICFO. The successful candidate will be hired on a temporary contract for up to three years, pending the permanent filling of the position through the applicable public-sector selection process. This is a full-time position.
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.
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: 1143
Application deadline: 30/09/2026
30th of September, 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.