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PhD Program

ICFO offers a focused PhD in Photonics program in partnership within the Doctoral School of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya • Barcelona Tech (UPC). All students admitted into the program are fully funded through competitive fellowships.

Our PhD program is designed to prepare PhD students for leadership in the academic and the industrial worlds, with an emphasis on intensive research-based training. We aim at promoting a multidisciplinary, international research environment with opportunities to undertake research in the most advanced topics in optical sciences and technologies.      

ICFO has graduated over 200 PhD students. Today they can be found around the world leading research groups, working in multinational companies starting out as postdocs at world-renowned universities, or launching startups anywhere from Silicon Valley to Barcelona.

Benefits of a PhD at ICFO include:

  • access to cutting-edge experimental infrastructures and research facilities
  • participation in scientific lectures, specialized courses and seminars
  • wide-ranging opportunities for personal and professional development
  • tailor-made ICFO+ Training and Development Program
  • active mentoring by experienced and world-class researchers
  • outstanding support from Academic Programs and Human Resources and Education
  • lively student community and ICONS Student Chapter
  • active social program and language training
  • participation in extensive outreach program

Students are selected based on merit and potential, previous experience, personal achievements and background for the position. We aim to attract exceptional researchers, motivated to work amongst the top scientists in their fields. ICFO supports a diverse, talented and highly international student population. Fewer than 10% of eligible candidates are eventually admitted to ICFO, and more than 70% come from outside Spain. Relevant academic backgrounds for our programs include any of the scientific disciplines related to optics and photonics and their applications, including Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology.

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

Paola Mantilla

ICFO PhD Graduate (Project Development, Industry)

The PhD experience at ICFO is a joint venture of scientific challenges, with constant innovative ideas in photonics, and also a continuous opportunity to interact with your colleges through a complete agenda of extra activities.

 

Daan Brinks

ICFO PhD Graduate (PI, TU Delft)

I loved my time at ICFO. It felt like a startup, but in academia. Hard work and high standards, independence and excitement, great people and great friendships.

 

 

Available Projects

Research groups are always searching for talented and motivated researchers interested to join their groups to work on a wide range of cutting-edge research projects.

  • Consult research group pages where some specific projects of interest may be posted.
  • Reach out to Group Leaders who are conducting research in your area of expertise to open a conversation about potential collaborations.