General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, all candidates for a PhD position at ICFO must have:

• A Master-equivalent degree by the time of potential recruitment. Candidates must have obtained an equivalent to 300 ECTS in their previous studies, out of which a minimum of 60 ECTS must have been obtained in postgraduate studies. The degree must be in a field of science and engineering related to optics and photonics.
• An excellent academic record, previous research experience and a strong commitment for scientific research.
• A high working knowledge of English.
• Candidates who have already been awarded a PhD are not eligible to apply.

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.

Candidates with disabilities or other special needs are strongly encouraged to apply to the program. ICFO will provide all possible assistance to ensure the candidate’s application is fairly assessed.

Candidates who have extenuating circumstances that may explain gaps in the academic career or other potentially negatively evaluated aspects of their application are invited to volunteer, if they wish, personal information that the selection panel may consider in their evaluation. Such information may include details of family obligations, severe illness or disability, refugee situation, etc. If the selection panel decides to shortlist a candidate based in part on such extenuating circumstances, it may require the candidate to provide reasonable supporting documentation.

The CONDITIONS of the PhD fellowships are as follows:

• Initial ICFO contract for a period of 6 months (1) , while being pre-admitted to the PhD Program, with a follow-up/ renewal procedure at the end of this first stage. During this period, students are fully integrated into an ICFO research group, take part in the ICFO working environment and training programs, and work with their supervisor to define and commence a research project.

• After this initial period, students are formally enrolled in the UPC PhD Program in Photonics  (2), and the full PhD Fellowship is activated. Fellowships are offered for periods of three years, renewable for an additional fourth year, and are formalized via a PhD-contract. Continuity and renewal are subject to satisfactory performance in the PhD studies and related research activities, evaluated annually by the Thesis Director and the ICFO PhD Committee.

• All ICFO fellowships include medical care coverage and work accident insurance through the Spanish Social Security system, providing access to the Spanish public health care system.

(1) In certain circumstances, e.g. when required by the conditions of an external fellowship, this period may be shortened.

(2) In exceptional circumstances, a student may be enrolled in another local PhD program.

Conditions

In addition to the general CONDITIONS of the PhD fellowships at ICFO described in the “Conditions“ section, ICFOstepstone 1 COFUND fellowships amount is at H2020 MSCA-COFUND level. The total gross annual allowance including the employer costs is 33.300€ per year and the annual gross salary for the fellow is 25.200€ (including living and mobility allowance) subject to the stipulated fiscal and social security deductions. This gross annual salary for the fellow is for the trainee period as well as during the PhD contract.

It is foreseen within the program that ICFO/Group will make available 6.000,00€/year/fellow to cover research costs (consumables and other materials deemed necessary to carry out the research project) and 1.200,00€/year/fellow to cover other costs (training and other related costs, such as registration fees, travel and subsistence costs for participation in national or international events, conference, meetings, schools, and/or other training activities). Following institutional regulations, the allocated funding for research, training and other costs are managed by ICFO and the Group Leader of the group that hosts the corresponding fellow.

CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF RESEARCHERS

Candidates will be evaluated by international external experts. Selection will be based on merit and potential, measured in terms of demonstrated academic record, research experience and personal achievements. The evaluation criteria take into consideration qualitative achievements of the candidate, and the potential impact that the fellowship provides. Candidates are evaluated based on demonstrated performance relative to opportunity, taking-into-account career interruptions and other extenuating circumstances. Relevant intersectoral experience through internships and work experience, pro-activity, participation in community activities, independence, initiative, and capacity for teamwork are positively evaluated.

First Review Stage. Evaluation is based on submitted documentation and structured, standardized information prepared by HRE to ensure that the evaluation process is fair and unbiased. Candidate evaluations will be based on:

• Previous Research and Intersectoral Experience
• Academic Excellence & Other Achievements
• Written communication skills
• Motivation and preparation for PhD
• Quality of References

Second Review Stage. Evaluation will be based on the performance at interview and response to questions using the following four equally weighted criteria:

• Academic Training & Research Experience
• Independence, Initiative & Teamwork Skills
• Motivation for Pursuing a PhD at ICFO
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills

The scores from the First Review Stage and the Second Review Stage will be combined with equal weight to determine the final ranking.

When all other scores and evaluation criteria are equal, recruitment preference shall be given to candidates from under-represented groups: women, candidates with disabilities or from refugee backgrounds.