Position Overview
ICFO is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated and experienced professional for the role of Manager of Academic training programs, reporting to the Head of Academic Affairs. This position is key to ensuring ongoing academic excellence of the training programs offered in-house and in collaboration with local and international academic partners.
This call is issued under the framework of the approved ICFO Public Employment Offer (OPO 2025), as approved by the ICFO Board of Trustees and in accordance with Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation, Law 9/2022 on the Catalan Science System, the Basic Statute of Public Employees (Royal Legislative Decree 5/2015 – EBEP), and Law 19/2014 on Transparency, Access to Public Information and Good Governance.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Head of Academic Affairs to ensure that ICFO continues to position itself as a leading institution for graduate education and postdoctoral training benchmarked against leading European and international graduate schools.
- Drive continual improvement of the Plus+ Training and Development Program ensuring high standards and best practices in graduate education. Collaborate with subject matter experts to design engaging training materials and regularly review and update program content to reflect emerging trends and needs.
- Organize and coordinate international training events in collaboration with top reference institutions worldwide and build strategic partnerships that enhance global visibility and academic excellence.
- Establish and monitor metrics to assess effectiveness and participant satisfaction of the organized training activities and prepare reports and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Design, coordination, and implementation of Mentoring Programs.
- Manage the training component of strategic/institutional projects, ensuring integration with academic development goals and support researchers in embedding training activities within funded projects.
- Assist in the evaluation of students applying for training fellowships, ensuring the highest quality standards and fostering the development of top talent
Why Join Us?
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 fostering the excellence of students and postdoctoral researchers 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.
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Qualifications and Experience Required
- PhD in a relevant field of Science or Engineering
- Proven track record (4+ years’ experience) in managing graduate academic training programs across various formats.
- Demonstrated success in organizing international training events and building partnerships with leading institutions.
- Background in curriculum development and instructional design to create innovative, learner-centered training programs.
- Experience in mentoring early-career researchers.
- Prior involvement in reviewing and assessing fellowship, scholarship, or grant applications.
We will also value demonstrable experience in
- Experience in monitoring and evaluating program outcomes using data-driven approaches.
- Experience developing or applying transparent selection criteria to ensure fairness and merit-based outcomes.
- Budget management, resource allocation and logistics coordination expertise.
Personal Characteristics & Skills
- Capacity to excel in dynamic and multicultural environments.
- Strong leadership, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to inspire trust, credibility and collaboration.
- Innovative mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Ability to anticipate future needs and align training programs with institutional strategic objectives.
- Fluency in English; additional languages (especially Spanish and Catalan) are a plus.
Conditions
This is a full-time position.
The contract offered will be a permanent contract (contracte indefinit) linked to the approved Public Employment Offer (Oferta Pública d’Ocupació – OPO) of ICFO and governed by the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A probationary period of 6 months will apply, in accordance with ICFO’s internal labor regulations and the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A salary according to ICFO’s approved salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the level of the position and the candidate’s experience.
The selected candidate will join ICFO under a permanent contract and will benefit from ICFO’s attractive working conditions, including a hybrid work model, adaptable working hours, and access to professional development opportunities.
Selection Procedure
To apply, please submit:
- your resume
- a cover letter outlining your experience
- contact information for one professional reference.
Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform https://www.jobs.icfo.eu.
ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Selection will include a pre-screening of applicants based on eligibility and experience, followed by an interview with a short list of candidates.
The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:
1. Eligibility check of applications.
2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
3. Interview with shortlisted candidates
The Evaluation Committee will include at least three members and ensure gender balance and impartiality.
Each phase will be documented, and candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.
Data Protection
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.
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Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).
- DPO: dpo@icfo.eu dpo@icfo.eu.
- Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.
- Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.
- Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat
All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).
Reference: 1060
Application deadline: December 11, 2025
11th of December, 2025