Contents
Job openings
Team Leaders
Post-doctoral Researchers
UPC is offering 2 undergraduate research support positions to develop quantum random number generation photonic chips in collaboration with Quside Technologies and ICFO. The researchers will carry out their tasks within ICFO premises.
- First position: Apply here
- Second position: Apply here
Group Opening
- Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group: Post-doctoral position in development of low-cost CMOS compatible intersubband optoelectronics (photodetectors and light emitters) in the MWIR and LWIR leveraging colloidal quantum dot technology
- CO2 Mitigation Accelerated by Photons Group: Post-doctoral position in advanced water electrolysis and scale-up
- Quantum Nano-Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral position in science and technology of moire quantum matter
- Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group: Post-doctoral position in chip-integrated infrared colloidal quantum dot lasers
- Photon Harvesting in Plants and Biomolecules Group: Post-doctoral position in novel ultrafast spectroscopy methods for photosynthesis and bioenergetics
- Quantum NanoElectronics and NanoMechanics Group: Post-doctoral positions in analogue electron quantum simulator
- Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral position in integrated photonics design, simulation, fabrication, characterization and packaging
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in applications of magnetometry in nuclear magnetic resonance
- CO2 Mitigation Accelerated by Photons Group: Post-doctoral position in reactive carbon electrolysis
- CO2 Mitigation Accelerated by Photons Group: Post-doctoral position in accelerating the development of sustainable energy materials
- Organic Nanostructured Photovoltaics Group: Post-doctoral position in study and fabrication of high efficiency thin film solar cells
- Quantum Information Theory Group: Post-doctoral position in quantum information science
- Quantum Information Theory Group: Post-doctoral position in polynomial optimization methods for quantum information science
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in Quantum optics of single atoms interacting with single photons
- SLN - Team Loza Group: Post-doctoral position in Fast Volumetric Imaging for the Assessment of Engrams Connectivity
- Macroscopic Quantum Optics Theory Group: Postdoctoral position in Macroscopic Quantum Optics Theory
- SLN - Team Loza Group: Post-doctoral position in Optical techniques for painting recovery
- Nonlinear Optical Phenomena Group: Post-doctoral position in Non-Hermitian Non-linear optical systems
- Quantum Optics Theory Group: Post-doctoral position in quantum information theory
- Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral Researcher or Research Engineer in Free-Space Quantum Key Distribution and Next-Generation QKD Transmitter Development
- Functional Optoelectronic Nanomaterials Group: Post-doctoral position on thermal sensors and microbolometers
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in dark matter search with ultracold atoms
- Quantum Nano-Optoelectronics Group: Post-doctoral position in design and testing of thz detectors
- Atomic Quantum Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in atomic vapor quantum sensors
- Medical Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in applications of near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy in critical care
- Medical Optics Group: Post-doctoral position in speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) for non-invasive blood flow measurement
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
ICFO Summer Fellows 2025: all applicants will be notified the results of the evaluation in their case by the end of April 2025, at the latest.
Admin & Technical Engineers
Tech Transfer & Business Development
Head of Talent Attraction
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.
This senior leadership position plays a crucial role to ensure that ICFO recruits the best possible staff, students and researchers across all areas of operation.
POSITION OVERVIEW
ICFO is seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader for the role of Head of Talent Attraction.
Reporting to the Vice-Director of People, Education and Culture, the Head of Talent Attraction will lead a dedicated team responsible to ensure that ICFO recruits the best possible staff, students and researchers across all areas of operation.
A competitive salary within ICFO’s management salary scales will be offered, depending on the seniority of the applicant.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and continuously improve ICFO’s Talent Acquisition Strategy, in collaboration with ICFO’s research Group Leaders and relevant units within ICFO
- Grow and maintain Recruitment Pipelines including dissemination channels, institutional connections to master’s & undergraduate programs, including tracking potential candidates
- Coordinate Advertising Campaigns and Material in collaboration with the Communications team
- Implement efficient and effective Recruitment & Selection Procedures to ensure that top candidates may be hired with minimum overhead in compliance with relevant regulations and in collaboration with ICFO’s research groups and relevant units
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Use the following URL:
https://jobs.icfo.eu/?detail=979
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- 5+ years of experience in a talent attraction or recruitment role in a research driven organization
- Proven experience in designing and implementing strategic recruitment initiatives tailored to attracting top researchers, scientists, and professionals in a competitive market.
- Expertise in developing and promoting the employer brand to enhance visibility and attractiveness among global talent pools.
- Ability to collaborate with senior leadership, including research group leaders, to align recruitment strategies with institutional goals.
- Experience working with universities, research institutions, and international organizations to attract top talent from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong ability to leverage data and insights to improve recruitment processes, optimize hiring timelines, and forecast talent needs.
- Commitment to fostering inclusive hiring practices and ensuring diverse talent pipelines.
We will also value demonstrable experience in:
- Experience with public sector recruiting in the regional, national and/or European context, and familiarity with employment regulations, visa sponsorship, and mobility policies affecting international researchers
- Understanding of research funding requirements and hiring constraints related to grants and public funding.
- Experience leading and mentoring talent acquisition teams in a research or academic environment, including strategic planning and reporting
- Proficiency in using applicant tracking systems (ATS), AI-driven sourcing tools, and social media platforms for recruitment.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS & SKILLS
- Strong leadership, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to inspire trust, credibility and collaboration.
- Ability to anticipate future talent needs, align recruitment with institutional goals, and innovate in talent attraction strategies.
- Ability to work in a diverse, international environment, understanding different cultural perspectives and adapting strategies accordingly.
- Capacity to navigate challenges in recruitment, from talent shortages to legal complexities, while maintaining a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
- Ability to interpret recruitment metrics and trends to make informed decisions and continuously optimize talent attraction strategies.
- Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written.
- Fluency in English; additional languages (especially Spanish and Catalan) are a plus.
WHY JOIN ICFO
At ICFO, you will have the opportunity to lead innovation and engagement at a globally renowned research institution.
This role offers a platform to make a meaningful impact by recruiting outstanding student, researchers and staff to fulfill ICFO’s triple mission of performing groundbreaking research, educating the next generation of research leaders, and transforming research into solutions that benefit society.
ICFO provides an intellectually stimulating and inclusive environment, dedicated to fostering professional growth and advancing the frontiers of science and technology.
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 vision for the role and contact information for three professional references. Applications should be submitted by March 18, 2025 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.
18th of March, 2025
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.