Open Position PhD Student Position for the MEDICAL PHYSICS Group
Opening Date: February 13, 2026
Closing Date: Until Filled
Ref: IFAE2026/13_MEDICALPHYSICS_SO_PhDStudent
About IFAE
The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.
IFAE is an internationally recognized center for fundamental research in Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics, and Cosmology. IFAE offers an international, dynamic, and competitive environment for the training of young researchers. IFAE has been accredited three times with the “Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence” distinction, most recently for the 2025-2029 period.
About The MEDICAL PHYSICS Group
The Medical Physics group at IFAE has a strong background in radiation detector instrumentation, with expertise spanning nuclear medicine imaging, radiotherapy dosimetry, and X-ray imaging. Our research encompasses diverse detector technologies including scintillator crystals coupled to silicon photomultipliers, semiconductor pixel sensors, and novel gamma imaging techniques such as Compton imaging and prompt gamma detection for proton therapy. The group fosters a highly collaborative environment with active international partnerships across Europe and the United States, where team members work together across projects sharing expertise in simulation, reconstruction algorithms, and experimental characterization. Our work bridges fundamental detector physics, advanced imaging concepts, and clinical applications. The group has secured two ERC grants and one ATRAE grant. As a member of the Medipix Collaboration, we have access to the full family of Medipix ASICs and cutting‑edge readout electronics for high‑performance timing applications.
Required Skills And Evaluation Criteria
The successful candidate is expected to have:
* Master in Physics or Nuclear Engineering satisfy the requirements to be admitted in the Physics PhD program of the UAB (https://www.Uab.Cat/en/phds/physics ) before the start of the grant
* Knowledge of radiation physics.
* Proficiency in the English language
* Pro‑active attitude and good communication skills
* Experience in Monte Carlo simulation, data analysis and programming.
Evaluation Criteria
* Relevance of previous studies – 20 points
* Programming skills – 25 points
* Experience in Monte Carlo simulation or instrumentation – 25 points
* Motivation and fit within the team – 30 points
What will be your role?
The Candidate Will Develop Radiation Detectors For Medical Applications And The Candidate Will Evaluate Of Detector Properties And Image Processing.
Offered Contract
* Full‑time contract (40 hours/week).
* Predoctoral Contract
* Duration: maximum 4 years
* The position will correspond to “Predoctoral Researcher (R1)” within the professional categories of the IFAE.
* Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
* Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first‑hand.
* Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.
* The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.
Application And Selection Process
Applications should be submitted to Dr. Gerard Ariño (garino@ifae.es ) and rrhh@ifae.es stating the job reference (IFAE2026/13_MEDICALPHYSICS_SO_PhDStudent) as the subject of the message. The email should include the following documents: an up‑to‑date CV, a motivation letter, a complete list of university grades, and the contact information for two references. All materials must be sent together in a single email to the addresses listed above.
Letters of reference sent separately to these email addresses will not be considered part of the application package. Please note that the hiring committee will contact the referees directly to request their letters during the selection process.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until it is filled. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience and are welcome to contact us should they have any questions.
Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s legal warning on data privacy.
The application must contain a personal identification number (DNI, NIE or passport) in order to proceed to the verification of absence of conflict of interest required by Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish Government.
IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply.
A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on‑line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process.
In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre‑existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.
You may contact Dr. Gerard Ariño (garino@ifae.es ) for any questions related to this job opening.
Funding Statement
Esta plaza está financiada en el marco de la acreditación Severo Ochoa de IFAE CEX2024-001441-S (2025–2028), concedida por el MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.
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