ICFO-Careers

ICFO provides cutting edge facilities, a stimulating international and interdisciplinary environment, as well as high-level training and extended administrative support for national and international researchers in Optics and Photonics at different career levels.

Researchers at ICFO, at any career level, have backgrounds in scientific disciplines related to Optics and Photonics and their applications, including Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. ICFO researchers are recruited to perform a research project as part of both medium- and long-term programs, aligned with regional and national regulations and according to the requirements of the European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

As an institution, ICFO strives to be a resource for science, technology and talent, and to provide ICFO researchers with unique skills to become successful and independent future leaders, both in the academic and industrial worlds. ICFO researchers receive career advice while at ICFO and benefit from the numerous partnerships ICFO maintains with the academic and industrial world. ICFO's strong Corporate Liaison Program and wide network of international partners are testament to the strategic importance the Institute places in maintaining close ties with the industrial world.

At the end of their research project, ICFOnians are encouraged to continue their careers at other internationally recognized institutions or in industry. They leave ICFO knowing that they may maintain contact through a strong Alumni network, a resource for creating new opportunities and connecting ICFOnians and ICFO Alumni all over the world.

ICFO Research Profiles and Positions

Would you like to carry out a short-term stay/internship or final project within the scope of your undergraduate or postgraduate studies?

ICFO welcomes students from national or international universities who become associated with ICFO for a limited period of time for training purposes, carrying out research projects. In the scope of ICFO Young Minds Program, selected students are given the opportunity to participate in ICFO's rich scientific life and to benefit from the experience of ICFO researchers. Students are integrated in an ICFO group, and conduct their activities under the supervision of the corresponding group leader.

If you are interested in these opportunities, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply through the corresponding calls.

Would you like to obtain a PhD degree?

ICFO, in partnership with the UPC-Technical University of Catalonia, offers a focused PhD Program in Photonics. Petitions for enrollment to this PhD Program should be channelled through application to PhD fellowships, available to outstanding international graduate students.

ICFO is also participating in the EUROPHOTONICS, Erasmus-Mundus Joint Doctorate in Photonics Engineering, Nanophotonics and Biophotonics. Petitions for enrollment to this PhD Program should be channelled through the EUROPHOTONICS main site.

ICFO PhD-students are integrated into an ICFO group, and conduct their studies under the supervision of the corresponding group leader.

If you are interested in opportunities for PhD student positions, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply through the corresponding calls.

Are you an engineer who would like to participate in an industrial project?

ICFO Research engineers conduct advanced engineering technical activities associated with an external project, e.g. industrially oriented projects. The duration of the contract is limited by the duration of the external project. ICFO Research engineers may hold different academic degrees, including engineering or doctorate.

ICFO Research engineers are integrated in a group and conduct their activities under the supervision of the corresponding group leader.

If you are interested in research engineering positions, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply through the corresponding calls.

Would you like to carry out postdoctoral research?

A postdoctoral researcher at ICFO enhances his/her scientific training after completing the PhD. The duration of the contracts may be one year or several years, renewable up to 5 years. ICFO Postdoctoral researchers may receive appointments as Research Fellows or as Post-Doctoral Researchers, depending on scientific seniority, experience or and project-needs.

Postdoctoral researchers at ICFO are integrated in a group and conduct their activities under the supervision of the corresponding group leader. ICFO Postdoctoral researchers are expected to take positions in other academic institutions or in industry after completing their post at ICFO.

If you are interested in continuing your research career as a Postdoc at ICFO, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply to the corresponding calls.

Would you like to lead your own research group?

ICFO Group Leaders may be tenure or tenure-track appointments. Tenure-track appointments refer to Junior Group Leaders, at the level of an ICFO Assistant Professor. Tenure appointments refer to a senior scientist with a permanent work contract, at the level of ICFO Professor. They are expected to keep an international stature and to seek world-class leadership in their subfield.

In general terms, ICFO Group Leaders lead a research team and enjoy scientific and budgetary autonomy within the limits stated by the ICFO Bylaws and by the specific provisions that in each particular case might be set forth in the appointing contract.

If you are interested in these opportunities, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply to the corresponding call.

Would you like to work in one of ICFO's administration or technical units.

ICFO has a dedicated team of people working in administration and technical units who support ICFO researchers and managing ICFO day-to-day life. We look for diversified individuals with excellent organizational, planning and communication skills. We highly value the predisposition to learn as well as an attitude that demonstrates a strong desire for personal growth and professional development. ICFOnians are expected to collaborate well with an international and interdisciplinary team towards the accomplishment of ICFO's mission.

If you are interested in these opportunities, please browse our Job Openings & Fellowships page and apply to the corresponding calls.