ICFO is offering one PhD position to a well-qualified graduate student, who wish to obtain a doctoral degree in the Quantum NanoElectronics and NanoMechanics group led by Prof. Dr. Adrian Bachtold
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 Quantum NanoElectronics and NanoMechanics group led by Prof. Dr. Adrian Bachtold. The group investigate emergent quantum phenomena in hybrid electrical and mechanical systems engineered from low-dimensional condensed matter platforms, including graphene and carbon nanotubes.
This fellowship is associated with the research project Generación de Conocimiento 2024, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
El proyecto PID2024-158411OB-I00 está financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, la AEI y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional: MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 / FEDER, UE
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
The successful PhD candidate will develop charge qubits with enhanced coherence in a pristine nanotube. The charge qubit will be coupled to the mechanical oscillations of the nanotube, and the hybrid system will be readout with a superconducting resonator. The student will gain expertise in cryogenics and low-noise radio-frequency measurements in a 10 mK dilution cryostat — applying experimental techniques similar to those used for superconducting qubits in quantum computing efforts at IBM and Google. One important goal is to demonstrate the charge double-quantum dot qubit with the longest quantum coherence. The charge qubit will be used for quantum control of phonon states, including the realization of a mechanical qubit and the demonstration of new quantum sensing protocols.
Application procedure
To apply, suitable candidates are requested to submit (in English) online the following material:
- A Cover Letter addressing research interests and motivation for application, as well as specific indication of ICFO research group of interest,
- A Curriculum Vitae, including contact details,
- Scanned copies of the complete (Bachelor and Master equivalent) official academic transcripts in English or Spanish,
- Scanned copies of the degree certificates, if available at the time of application,
- 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.
- 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:
- Official document or website from the degree granting university
- Academic transcript including this explicit description
- 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
- 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.
- The names and contact details of 2 referees.
Candidates may contact [email protected] for formal enquiries regarding the application.
For further information about ICFO, please visit https://www.icfo.eu/
Selection process
All students admitted into the ICFO PhD program must pass through a selection process involving the evaluation of submitted documents, an eligibility and admissibility check and an interview with a selection committee.
ICFO Selection Committees are appointed in line with the recommendations of European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, in terms of gender balance, diversity of discipline, expertise and necessary competence for a proper evaluation and assessment of the candidates.
Selection committee interviews include a presentation of the candidate’s background, research interests and motivations, followed by questions from the committee. Candidates may explain their experience, highlight their achievements, and describe their career aspirations and relevant personal or professional details. Candidates invited to the interviews receive detailed guidelines about the selection process and the interview day(s).
A dedicated, external and independent Appeals Panel will be established to rule on the outcome of appeals from the applicants.
At all stages of the process, candidates may contact the Talent Attraction Team via [email protected]; for complete information about the PhD Admissions process at ICFO, please see ICFO PhD Program
Data Protection
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.
- Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).
- DPO: [email protected]
- Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.
- Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.
- Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat
All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).
Reference: 1112
Application deadline: July 15, 2026
