Fully-Funded PhD Programs At The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)

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The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), a Spanish center of excellence located in Tarragona, is opening the second call for applications 2026 of its Fully-Funded PhD Programme. The program is aimed at outstanding graduates from around the world wishing to carry out a research project in chemistry leading to a doctoral PhD thesis in partnership with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). Doctoral candidates benefit from a four-year predoctoral employment contract. The application deadline is set for 28 June 2026.

Far from being a simple scholarship, ICIQ offers a full-time predoctoral contract governed by Spanish science law, with a progressive salary ranging from €19,007 in the first year to €25,456 in the fourth year, as well as full social security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system (access to the public health system, pension, and unemployment insurance). PhD enrollment fees are also covered.

The program offers a stimulating scientific environment: an individual research project supervised by an internationally renowned group leader, opportunities for short stays at international research institutions, and a personalized training program (SHARP, an annual two-week program) covering technical and transferable skills (intellectual property management, entrepreneurship, scientific integrity, communication, project management, etc.).

About the ICIQ PhD Program 2026 (2nd Call)

• LEVEL: PhD in chemistry
• DEADLINE: 28 June 2026
• FUNDING: 4-year predoctoral contract + social security coverage + enrollment fees
• SALARY: from €19,007 to €25,456 gross/year depending on the year
• NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 9 research projects (10 contracts)
• NATIONALITIES: all
• HOST INSTITUTION: ICIQ, Tarragona, Spain (in partnership with URV)
• START: autumn 2026

ICIQ is a public foundation dedicated to chemical research in the service of major global challenges (climate emergency, human health). Distinguished by two Severo Ochoa accreditations and a member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), the center hosts around 250 researchers across 19 research groups, has secured 26 projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), and counts nine ICREA professors. Admission is on a competitive basis.

Financial Terms of the Contract

• A predoctoral contract renewable annually for up to 4 years (subject to satisfactory results), governed by Spanish Law 14/2011 on science, technology, and innovation.
• Gross annual salary spread over 12 monthly payments:
  • 1st and 2nd year: €19,007.22/year;
  • 3rd year: €20,364.88/year;
  • 4th year: €25,456.10/year.
• Full social security coverage (public health, pension, unemployment).
• Coverage of PhD enrollment fees (paid by the recipient and then reimbursed by ICIQ).
• Possibility of temporary suspension of the contract (incapacity, pregnancy, maternity, paternity, adoption) without it counting against the total duration.

The thesis must be completed within 4 years. The doctoral candidate works full-time at ICIQ and may not receive any other scholarship or regular income; the position is incompatible with any other scholarship serving the same purpose.

ICIQ PhD Program Eligibility Requirements

The program is open to graduates of any nationality meeting the following criterion:

• Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in the fields of chemistry, pharmacy, physics, chemical engineering, or related disciplines, to be obtained no later than the time of PhD enrollment.

Candidates must demonstrate an excellent academic record, a strong commitment to scientific research, and a good command of English. In case of doubt about eligibility, it is possible to contact ICIQ’s human resources unit at [email protected] before submitting the application.

English Level

Proof of English level is desirable (preferably a B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6, or equivalent) but not mandatory: shortlisted candidates without a certificate will be assessed during an interview. Candidates from English-speaking countries (United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) are exempt.

Available PhD Positions (Annex 1)

This second call offers 10 contracts across 9 research projects:

1. Self-assembly of synthetic-biological hybrid systems for fundamental and biomedical applications — Dr. Luis Escobar (ref. PhD 2026-06 LE).
2. AI-accelerated photochemical valorization of pollutants in flow — Dr. Jesús San José / Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano (ref. PhD 2026-07 JS).
3. Catalytic functionalization of sp3 C–H sites via chain-walking — Prof. Rubén Martín (ref. PhD 2026-08 RM).
4. Single-atom skeletal editing for drug discovery and chemical biology — Prof. Marcos García Suero (ref. PhD 2026-09 MG).
5. Machine-learning-driven discovery of mechanophores — Prof. José A. Berrocal (ref. PhD 2026-10 JB).
6. Multifunctional sensors for rapid diagnosis and therapeutic guidance — Prof. Beatriz Prieto-Simón / Eugenia Martínez-Ferrero (ref. PhD 2026-11 BP/EMF).
7. Materials for energy (2 positions) — Prof. Emilio Palomares (ref. PhD 2026-12/13 EP).
8. AI-driven robotics for catalyst development — Prof. Julio Lloret-Fillol (ref. PhD 2026-14 JLL).

ICIQ PhD Program Application Procedure

The application is made entirely online via ICIQ’s careers portal; applications sent by email or any other means are not admissible. Only one application per person is accepted (in the case of multiple applications, only the first is considered), and the candidate must select a single supervisor.

Documents to attach (in PDF):

1. A complete CV (education, experience, publications, conferences, scholarships, distinctions, previous participation in ICIQ programs, references).
2. A motivation letter (personal statement) of 2 A4 pages maximum, describing the candidate’s background, research experience, and career goals, and specifying the target research group and group leader along with the reasons for this choice.
3. The official transcripts of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (with a certified English translation if the documents are not in Catalan, Spanish, or English; otherwise the application is rejected). If the Master’s is not yet completed, indicate the courses in progress and their credits; for foreign degrees, specify the grading scale, the minimum passing grade, and the number of hours/ECTS for each course.
4. The contact details of two referees (professors or persons able to assess research potential). ICIQ contacts them only in the event of shortlisting.
5. A proof of English level (desirable).

Evaluation and Selection Process

Selection is carried out by the project supervisor with the support of Human Resources. Applications are first checked for eligibility, then evaluated according to: the CV, the motivation letter, the academic grades, the English level, and a personal interview for shortlisted candidates. ICIQ applies a policy of gender equality and non-discrimination.

ICIQ PhD Program 2026 Timeline

• Call opening: 25 May 2026.
• Deadline: 28 June 2026.
• Notification to candidates: from 13 July 2026 (final decision by mid-July 2026).
• Start of the PhDs: autumn 2026.

Selected candidates have five business days after notification to accept or decline the offer, failing which it is considered refused.

Contact

• Human resources unit: [email protected];
• Location: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Tarragona, Spain;
• Official website: iciq.org; PhD calls page: careers.iciq.org.

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