Fully-Funded PhD Programme 2026 at ICIQ (Third Call), Spain

Summary

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is offering a fully-funded PhD Programme for exceptional graduate students worldwide. This programme supports enrolment in a training and research initiative in chemistry, leading to a Doctoral Thesis in partnership with Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). It aims to foster professional career development in both academia and industry through individual research projects, international stays, and comprehensive technical and soft skills training.

Designation

PhD Student

Key Details

Research Area

Project Title: AI-Accelerated Photochemical Upgrading of Pollutants in Flow

This project, developed in collaboration with the Pérez-Temprano group, focuses on creating automated, data-driven workflows for discovering and optimizing catalytic chemical transformations in continuous flow. Research will involve integrating robotic experimentation, microfluidic platforms, and machine learning to systematically explore reaction space, generate high-quality datasets, and accelerate the optimization of synthetic methods for recycling harmful pollutants.

Tasks for the PhD student include:

• Designing and executing experiments using automated platforms and microfluidic reactors.
• Setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting continuous-flow reactors.
• Planning, collecting, and curating high-quality, standardized experimental datasets for machine learning models.
• Analysing experimental results and translating findings into actionable insights.
• Preparing project reports and contributing to scientific publications.
• Presenting research findings at meetings and conferences.

Location

ICIQ (Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia), Tarragona, Spain

Eligibility/Qualification

General Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must have a Master’s or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines, completed by the time of enrolment in the PhD programme.
• Open to graduate students of any nationality.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Academic marks
• English level
• Personal interview for short-listed candidates

Preferred Skills or Background:

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken).
• Solid foundation in synthetic organic chemistry; prior exposure to catalysis, organometallic chemistry, or reaction development is an asset.
• Interest in automation, robotics, or flow chemistry; hands-on experience is a plus but not required.
• Willingness to learn programming skills and curiosity about data-driven approaches.
• Enthusiasm for sustainable chemistry and a genuine interest in bridging academic research with industrial application.

Scholarship Description (Grant Conditions)

Awardees will be considered research personnel in training under an employment contract (pre-doctoral contract) regulated by Spanish Law 14/2011. Contracts are renewed annually for up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Gross Yearly Salary:

• First and Second year: 19,007.22€ /year
• Third year: 20,364.88€ /year
• Fourth year: 25,456.10€ /year

Benefits include:

• Full social security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system (access to public healthcare, pension, and unemployment benefits).
• Entitlement to temporarily interrupt the fellowship for reasons such as temporary disability, risk during pregnancy, maternity, paternity, adoption, or foster care.
• The fellowship covers enrolment costs in the PhD programme, which will be refunded by ICIQ after payment to the university.

The PhD thesis must be completed within 4 years. Awardees are required to work full-time at ICIQ and cannot hold any other fellowship or regular income with the same purpose.

How to Apply

The entire application process is completed online via ICIQ’s Career Portal. Applications sent by email or other means will not be considered.

Required Documentation (to be attached as PDF files after completing the online form):

1. Full Curriculum Vitae: Include academic background, work/research experience, publications, conferences, grants, awards, previous ICIQ programme participation, other merits, and references.
2. Personal Statement (maximum two DIN A4 pages): Describe academic background, research experience, and career goals. Explain your interest in ICIQ, how it aligns with your PhD training, and mention the preferred research group and reasons for interest in a specific group leader and project.
3. Official Transcripts of BSc and MSc Studies: Scanned copies of certified academic records. If MSc studies are incomplete, include details of currently enrolled subjects (name and credits). For academic records not in Catalan, Spanish, or English, a certified English translation is required. For foreign institutions, records must include the mark range, minimum pass mark, and hours/ECTS for each subject.
4. Contact Details for Two University Professors or Relevant Individuals: ICIQ will only contact references if a candidate is shortlisted. Inform your references beforehand.
5. English Proficiency Level Evidence (desirable but not mandatory): Preferably a B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6, or equivalent. Candidates without a certificate may be interviewed to assess English level. Applicants from Anglosphere countries (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) are exempt.

Ensure all required documentation is included before submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Last Date for Apply

November 08, 2026

Apply Link

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