Overview

The ICIQ Severo Ochoa Predoctoral Fellowships for Researchers Training are aimed at exceptional graduate students from all over the world.

These PhD studentships support enrolment in a training and research program in chemistry, leading to a PhD in Chemistry in partnership with Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV).

The PhD is associated with the CEX***********-S project funded by MICIU/AEI under the **** Centros de Excelencia «Severo Ochoa» y Unidades «María de Maeztu» call for proposals.

PhD trainees receive comprehensive training to prepare for professional careers in academia or industry.

More information about the Severo Ochoa Programme and available positions is provided here.

This objective is achieved by activities including multidisciplinary supervision, training programs, and opportunities for international placements as part of a structured framework.

Key Activities and Structure

The thesis project is aligned with one of the ICIQ-Severo Ochoa Strategic Plan research lines: Innovative Catalysis, Renewable Energy Vectors, and Molecular Medicine.

Thesis projects are supervised by two ICIQ Group Leaders (supervisor and co-supervisor) to ensure multidisciplinary mentorship.

A complementary training program in technical and soft skills is provided, including seminars, hands-on instrumentation training, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge transfer, grant applications, project management, communication, and career development.

ICIQ offers a SHARP (Severo Ochoa PhD Training Program) annual training course focused on the PhD year.

Opportunities for short-term placements in distinguished international research institutions.

Fellowships are open to highly qualified graduate students with an interest in chemistry or related areas, requiring excellent academic records, strong research commitment, and solid English knowledge.

Application and Selection

The process is online via ICIQ's Career Portal.

Applications by email or other means are ineligible.

Only one application per person will be considered; if multiple are submitted, only the first will be considered.

After the online form, attach: a full Curriculum Vitae (max 2 DIN A4 pages, PDF), a personal statement (max 2 DIN A4 pages, PDF) describing background, research experience, goals, alignment with ICIQ and the Severo Ochoa Fellowships, and preferred research groups.

Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies (PDF).

Master's degree must be completed by the fellowship start.

Translations to English may be required for records not issued in Catalan, Spanish or English.

Contacts for two letters of recommendation; references may be contacted if shortlisted.

Evidence of English proficiency is desirable (e.g., B2 certificate, Cambridge First, IELTS 6).

Native English speakers from Anglosphere countries are exempt.

Late-stage candidates may be interviewed to assess English.

Note: Applicants may select up to two thesis projects, with the first option prioritized for selection.

Eligibility

The fellowships are open to graduate students of any nationality who meet the following:

Master's or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, or related disciplines, completed by October ****, enabling admission to a Spanish PhD program by the start date.

Ineligibility criteria include holding a PhD or having previously benefited from certain predoctoral fellowships as described in the call.

For eligibility questions, contact ICIQ's HR Unit at ******.

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation follows the **** call criteria:

Academic and/or scientific-technical career path (up to 50 points), including contributions and mobility/ internationalization (up to 5 points).

Suitability of the candidate for proposed research activities (up to 50 points).

Process and Timeline

The ICIQ Severo Ochoa Committee for Predoctoral Training, with the HR team, conducts evaluation and selection in accordance with the call.

Applications are checked for eligibility; incomplete applications are rejected, and late modifications are not allowed.

A minimum threshold of 65 points is required for admission.

Short-listed candidates may be invited to a personal interview.

Final decisions are expected by early February ****.

Successful candidates must respond to offers within five business days; failure to respond may be deemed a decline.

ICIQ supports gender equality and non-discrimination policies.

Fellowship Conditions

Awardees are in training with a predoctoral contract, regulated by Spanish law (Law *******).

The fellowship includes salary, PhD enrolment fees (up to 4 years), and funding for short stays abroad.

Contracts are renewable annually for up to 4 years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Gross salary: Year 1 €19,******; Years 2–4 €24,****** per year.

Figures follow EPIF rules and may increase with updates.

Full social security coverage with access to health care, pension, and unemployment benefits.

Option for temporary interruption (e.g., maternity/paternity) without counting toward total duration.

Fellows work full-time at ICIQ and may not receive other fellowships for the same purpose.

Monitoring and Reporting

Predoctoral researchers must report to the Agencia Estatal de Investigación on activities and training progress, including an interim report at month 20 and a final report covering the entire duration if applicable.

HR support and the project manager assist throughout the fellowship.

Indicative Calendar

Call opening: 3 November ****

Call deadline: 11 January ****

Evaluation and selection: January ****

Final resolution: 9 February ****

Annex: Available Positions

Reference: CEX****-FPI-****** — Supervisor: Prof. J. R. Galán-Mascarós; Co-supervisor: Prof. Katherine Villa Gómez; Title: Magnetically-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Selective Oxidation of Organic Molecules; Strategic line: Renewable Energy Vectors

Reference: CEX****-FPI-****** — Supervisor: Prof. Antoni Llobet; Co-supervisor: Prof. Beatriz Prieto-Simón; Title: Nanotechnology for Energy Applications; Strategic line: Renewable Energy Vectors

Reference: CEX****-FPI-****** — Supervisor: Prof. Jordi Burés; Co-supervisor: Prof. Ruben Martin; Title: Unravelling the mechanistic intricacies of catalytic chain-walking reactions; Strategic line: Innovative Catalysis

Reference: CEX****-FPI-******* — Supervisor: Prof. Mónica H. Pérez-Temprano; Co-supervisor: Prof. Jordi Burés; Title: Unveiling C(sp3)–H Activation Principles in Cp*Co(III) Catalysis for Innovative Synthetic Methodologies; Strategic line: Innovative Catalysis

Reference: CEX****-FPI-******* — Supervisor: Prof. Núria López; Co-supervisor: Prof. Katherine Villa Gómez; Title: Understanding and Predicting Magnetically-Enhanced Photocatalysis for Selective Oxidation of Organic Molecules; Strategic line: Renewable Energy Vectors

Reference: CEX****-FPI-******* — Supervisor: Prof. Katherine Villa Gómez; Co-supervisor: Prof. Beatriz Prieto-Simón; Title: NIR-Driven Micromotors for Biofilm Eradication and Electrochemical Monitoring; Strategic line: Molecular Medicine

Reference: CEX****-FPI-******* — Supervisor: Arjan W. Kleij; Co-supervisor: Mónica Pérez-Temprano; Title: Light-driven cobalt catalysis; Strategic line: Innovative Catalysis

Reference: CEX****-FPI-******* — Supervisor: José A. Berrocal; Co-supervisor: Pablo Ballester; Title: Mechanoresponsive Polymers with Embedded Macrocycles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications; Strategic line: Molecular Medicine

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