ICFO aims to advance the very limits of knowledge in several fields of science and technology where photonic tools and related concepts provide an edge. Photons, especially from laser light, are one of the most powerful enabling technologies currently available to humankind. We use them in our research to target the global forefront of several areas of physics and engineering, and salient topics in material sciences, chemistry, biology and medicine. We aim to tackle key challenges faced by society at large and focus on current and future problems in health, energy, information, safety, security and caring for the environment.

Our most important treasure is our personnel: Bright and ambitious women and men, with strong ethical values and the desire to contribute to achieving difficult but important societal goals.  Central to our mission is to provide our PhD students and post-doctoral researchers with outstanding training opportunities through hands-on research projects, specialized courses, research seminars and colloquia, access to cutting-edge experimental infrastructures, and mentoring by researchers who are among the world leaders in their specialities. Such training aims to equip ICFOnians with capabilities that help them become future leaders as they continue their careers elsewhere beyond ICFO, either in the academic, educational, governmental, or industrial worlds, including the spin-off companies incubated in our own institution.

Two of our core motivations are fascination for the unknown and the will to make the world a better place, passions shared by many researchers around the world with whom ICFO researchers continuously interact, collaborate and correspond. Our core value is the firm belief in the potential and importance of all good people.  Listen to your heart: If you share these values and ambitions, surf our web to identify the challenge that most interests you, and get on board. A new project is about to leave port to take you on an exciting intellectual voyage.

Lluís Torner
Director
director@icfo.eu