ICFO is offering 1 Predoctoral fellowship position to well-qualified graduate students, who wish to obtain a doctoral degree in the Nanophotonics Theory Research Group at ICFO. .
Our PhD-program brings together top-level training and teaching for young scientists, benefiting from the extensive course offerings of local universities and focused instruction by ICFO professors, in a stimulating, international and interdisciplinary environment. PhD-students have the opportunity to take advantage of our network of excellence, consisting in partners of national and international research institutes and universities, as well as industrial partners in the field.
The successful candidate will be joining the Nanophotonics Theory group led by Prof. Dr. Javier Garcia de Abajo. The group uses the extraordinary coherence properties of atoms, together with an ever-increasing sophistication in optical manipulation and measurement, to study fundamental physics of light-matter interactions, quantum optical effects in advanced sensing, and new applications of extreme sensors.
One major theme of our research is the study of quantum effects in atomic systems and the light that is used to measure them. At the most fundamental level, we study light-matter interaction processes, which efficiently produce entanglement between light and matter, and are also central to understanding essential technologies such as lasers, and future technologies such as quantum computers. Only slightly more applied, we study how quantum physics shapes the ultimate performance of atomic sensors, for example showing how the exotic coherence properties of Bose-Einstein condensates can benefit magnetic sensing. At the most applied, we develop new atomic sensors for existing applications such as biomagnetism, and new applications for atomic sensors such as magnetic resonance imaging and searches for dark matter.
This fellowship is associated with the research project Generación de Conocimiento 2024, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
El proyecto PID NB-I00 está financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, la AEI y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional: MICIU/AEI/ / / FEDER, UE
Share this opening
Use the following URL:
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
The PhD candidate should have a background in electromagnetic and quantum theory. The project will involve the description of quantum interactions between free electrons and confined optical fields, as well as between tunneling electrons and surface polaritons. The candidate will study such interactions to optimize the electron-polariton coupling rate with a view to designing efficient couplers that can be used for the electrical generation and detection of surface polaritons in different material platforms.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the position, candidates must:
* Have an internationally-recognized Master-equivalent degree. The degree must be completed by the start of your prospective PhD at ICFO, at the latest, and must be in a field of science and engineering related to the ICFO research activities. Degrees issued within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) must have an equivalent to 300 ECTS, out of which a minimum of 60 ECTS must have been obtained in postgraduate studies. Please, if in doubt regarding your academic eligibility, contact us at
* Candidates who have already been awarded a PhD are not eligible to apply.
* Have an excellent academic record, previous research experience and a strong commitment for scientific research.
* Have a high working knowledge of English.
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.
Conditions
ICFO PhD positions are offered for a period of 4.5 years. The conditions of the positions awarded in the scope of the ICFO PhD fellowship program are as follows:
* Initial contract for a period of up to 6 months (referred to as the "initial trainee period"), while being pre-admitted to the PhD program, with an explicit follow-up/ renewal procedure at the end of this first stage. (1). During this period, students already take part in the ICFO working environment, join a research group, and work with their supervisor to define a research project.
* After this initial training period, students are formally enrolled in a PhD Program with a local university (as a general rule, the UPC PhD in Photonics program administered by ICFO), and the full PhD Fellowship activated.
Salary is offered according to the institutional salary scales.
Selected candidates shall start between November 2025- January
* All fellowships include medical care coverage and work accident insurance through the Spanish Social Security system, providing access to the Spanish public health care system.
* As part of the fellowship, ICFO will provide budget as deemed necessary and with the corresponding approval from the corresponding Group/Team Leader to enable the PhD fellow to complete his/her assigned research project. This budget is managed by the Group/Team leader, and will include consumables and other materials, 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.
To apply, suitable candidates are requested to submit (in English) online the following material:
1. A Cover Letter addressing research interests and motivation for application, as well as specific indication of ICFO research group of interest,
2. A Curriculum Vitae, including contact details,
3. Scanned copies of the complete (Bachelor and Master equivalent) official academic transcripts in English or Spanish,
4. Scanned copies of the degree certificates, if available at the time of application,
5. Holders of degrees issued within European Higher Education Area outside Spain shall also submit the European Diploma supplement, if available. If not submitted during the application, this will be compulsory to be submitted in further steps of the selection process.
6. Holders of degrees issued in outside European Higher Education Area shall submit documentation that explicitly indicate equivalence of degree and/or admissibility in a PhD program in the country where it was issued. If not submitted during the application, this will be compulsory to be submitted in further steps of the selection process. Examples of documents we accept are:
7. Official document or website from the degree granting university
8. Academic transcript including this explicit description
9. Letter or certificate from faculty, school or department, addressed to ICFO on official letter-head, signed by a person responsible for admissions into the PhD program
10. If available, scanned copy of standardized test results (GRE, TOEFL, etc.). Note that submission of test results is optional, but they can be particularly helpful for evaluating candidates with degrees obtained outside the European Higher Education Area.
11. The names and contact details of 2 referees.
12. Extenuating circumstances (optional; 1-page max). Candidates may submit a statement regarding any career interruptions (care of dependents, birth of children, etc.) or any other aspects, which will be taken-into-