The Fully-Funded PhD Programme offered by The
Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is aimed at
exceptional graduate students from all over the world, to support
their enrolment in a training and research programme in the field
of chemistry, ultimately leading to the completion of a Doctoral
Thesis in partnership with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV).
The programme will also contribute to their professional career
development, in the fields of academia and industry. This objective
is achieved by: The performance of an individual research project
under the direction of an internationally renowned Group Leader, in
a creative and stimulating scientific environment. Opportunities
for short stays in distinguished international research
institutions. Opportunities for complementary training in both
technical and soft skills. The educational framework is designed to
ensure a successful career: scientific seminars , hands-on training
in the use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, IP
management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and
technology transfer, grant applications, project management,
communication skills and career development. ICIQ offers a yearly
personalized training programme for PhD students, SHARP, which
takes place during the course of 2 weeks, with training focused on
their given PhD year. The programme is addressed to highly
qualified and talented graduate students with a keen interest in
chemical research. Candidates should have an excellent academic
record, strong commitment to scientific research and a solid
working knowledge of English. Admission to the programme is on a
competitive basis. I. Available positions: See Annex 1 II.
Application process The entire application process will be
completed online. Applicants must apply by accessing ICIQ’s Career
Portal. Applications sent by email or any other means will not be
eligible. After completing the online form, applicants must attach
the following documents: 1) Required documentation A full
Curriculum Vitae (in PDF format). It should include the academic
background, work or research experience, publications, conferences,
grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, other
relevant merits and references. A personal statement that describes
the applicant’s academic background, research experience and career
goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, in PDF format). This is a very
important section of the application process. The candidate must be
able to communicate their interests and how these would align with
ICIQ and a PhD training. Candidates should also mention the
research group where they would like to carry out their PhD, and
the reasons why they are interested in a particular group leader
and their research project. Official transcripts of BSc and MSc
studies in PDF format. A scanned copy of the certified academic
record of the studies granting access to the PhD programme (BSc and
MSc if available). In case that the MSc studies have not yet been
completed at the time of the application, candidates must include
details on the subjects in which they are currently enrolled
(subject name and number of credits). For academic records not
issued in Catalan, Spanish or English, a certified translation in
English should be provided; otherwise, applications which do not
include a certified translation of the academic record will be
non-eligible and, therefore, not taken into consideration. For
degrees obtained in foreign institutions, the academic record must
include the range of marks used in the corresponding countries and
the minimum mark to pass, as well as the hours or ECTS and marks
for each subject. Contact details for letters of recommendation of
two University professors or other relevant individuals who can
assess the candidate’s potential for research. ICIQ will contact
the people listed as references only in the event that a candidate
is shortlisted. We suggest informing your references.



English
proficiency level : Applicants must provide evidence of their
proficiency in written and oral communication in the English
language. Preferably, by the submission of a B2 certificate, First
Certificate, IELTS 6 or equivalent. This certificate is not
mandatory but desirable, and alternatively late-stage candidates
will be interviewed to assess their English level. Applicants from
Anglosphere (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand)
are exempt from this requirement. Please note that documents sent
in hard copy cannot be processed. Once the application has been
successfully completed, an acknowledgement e-mail will be
automatically sent. Candidates must ensure that all the required
documentation is included before submitting the application.
Incomplete applications will not be considered . III. Eligibility
and evaluation criteria The programme is open to graduate students,
from any nationality that fulfil the following eligibility criteria
: a. Candidates must have a Master’s or an equivalent degree in the
areas of Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering or
related disciplines that must be completed by the time of enrolment
in the PhD programme. When in doubt regarding the eligibility
criteria, applicants should contact ICIQ’s Human Resources unit at
[email protected] prior to submission of the application.
Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria will be evaluated
according to the following evaluation criteria : Curriculum vitae.
Personal statement. Academic marks. English level. Personal
interview for short-listed candidates. IV. Evaluation and Selection
Process The evaluation and selection of the candidates will be
performed by the project supervisor supported by the Human
Resources unit team, and following the below procedure: 1.
Submitted applications will be checked for eligibility and those
not fulfilling all the criteria will be rejected. It won’t be
possible to modify the application or to add missing documentation
after the application has been submitted. 2. The selection will be
based on the evaluation criteria described in Section III. 3. At
the late stages of the selection process, only short-listed
candidates will be contacted for a personal interview. 4. All
applicants will be notified of the final selection decision by mid
November 2026. Successful candidates will be requested to inform
ICIQ whether they accept or decline the offer within five business
days after being notified. The offer will be considered declined in
the event that the applicant does not respond during this time.
ICIQ follows in its selection process a gender equality opportunity
policy and a non-discrimination policy on the basis of age, ethnic
or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language
and disability. ICIQ is committed to promoting a work-life balance
for its employees and, as such, offers versátil working hours. V.
Grant Conditions The awardees of an ICIQ Fully-Funded PhD position
will be considered research personnel in training and they will
have an employment contract (a pre-doctoral contract) which is
regulated in the Spanish Law 14/2011, of June 1st, of Science,
Technology and Education. Pre-doctoral contracts are renewed
annually for up to 4 years. Renewal is subject to satisfactory
performance in the PhD studies and related research activities. The
gross yearly salary of the contract shall be split into 12 monthly
payments and distributed as shown below: First and Second year of
PhD: 19.007,22€ /year Third year of PhD: 20.364,88€ /year Fourth




year of PhD: 25.456,10€ /year The fellowship includes full social
security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system,
providing access to the Spanish public health care system and
pension and unemployment benefits. The grant holder is entitled to
temporarily interrupt the fellowship in the following situations:
temporary disability, risk during pregnancy, maternity, paternity
and adoption or foster care. The time elapsed during this
interruption will not be accounted for against the total time. The
contract will take effect on the date when the awarded student
joins the centre. The Fully-Funded PhD includes the costs of
enrolment in the PhD programme. These costs will be paid by each
beneficiary to the university, and later they will be refunded by
ICIQ. The PhD thesis has to be completed within 4 years. The PhD
awardees will work full-time at ICIQ and may not receive any other
fellowship or regular income. The Fully-Funded PhD position is
incompatible with any other fellowship with the same purpose.
Calendar Call opening: October 5th 2026 Call deadline: November 8th
2026 Notification to candidates: As from November 9th 2026 Start of
fellowships: 2027 Supervisor: Prof. Katherine Villa Project Title:
Light-Driven Oscillatory Micromotor Systems. Number of positions: 1
Reference: PhD 2026-22 KV Description of the project: The project
will focus on the development of photoactive micromotor systems
capable of generating autonomous oscillatory dynamics and
collective behavior. The main objective is to uncover how
photocatalytic reactions, chemical gradients and interparticle
interactions can be harnessed to create dynamic systems that
communicate, synchronize and respond to their environment. The PhD
student will design and characterize different types of
micromotors, identify the mechanisms governing their oscillations,
and develop strategies to control their dynamics using light and
chemical stimuli. By combining photocatalysis, materials chemistry,
optical microscopy and particle-tracking analysis, the project aims
to establish new principles for the design of adaptive and
functional active systems. Tasks to be performed by the PhD
student: Design and synthesis of photoactive micro/nanomotors with
controlled composition, morphology and surface properties.
Structural, optical and physicochemical characterization of the
developed materials. Study of how light intensity, wavelength,
chemical environment and reaction conditions affect micromotor
dynamics. Identification of the chemical species and gradients
involved in propulsion, oscillations and particle–particle
interactions. Characterization of single-particle and collective
dynamics using optical microscopy and particle-tracking analysis.
Investigation of chemical communication, synchronization and
emergent collective behavior in interacting micromotor populations.
Correlation of material properties, photocatalytic reactivity and
dynamic behavior to establish design principles for oscillatory
active systems. Analysis and interpretation of experimental data,
preparation of scientific publications and presentation of results
at international conferences. Preferred skills or background:
Background in Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanotechnology,
Chemical Engineering or a related field. Previous experience in
photocatalysis, semiconductor materials, nanomaterial synthesis,
colloidal systems or micro/nanomotors would be particularly
valuable. Experience with optical microscopy, particle tracking,
image analysis, spectroscopy or electrochemistry would be
advantageous. Strong experimental skills and an interest in
interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry and active
matter. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Experience with data analysis or programming (e.g. Python or
MATLAB) is desirable. Excellent organizational and communication
skills. Strong written and spoken English.

📌 PhD 2026-22 KV - ICIQ Fully-Funded PhD Programme 2026 –THIRD CALL (Cataluña)
🏢 ICIQ
📍 Cataluña