ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a world-leading research centre devoted to advancing the science and technologies of light. Based in Castelldefels (Barcelona), ICFO combines frontier research, education, innovation and technology transfer to generate scientific and societal impact.
Over the past two decades, ICFO has established itself as an internationally recognized centre of excellence and a global reference in photonics. Today, with a highly international community of around 500 employees representing more than 70 nationalities, ICFO continues its institutional development aimed at strengthening scientific excellence, research capabilities and long-term impact.
ICFO is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Leadership comprising the Director and the Managing Director, responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational development of the Institute.
As part of its ongoing institutional development, ICFO is creating a new senior leadership position to strengthen the strategic coordination and long-term development of its shared scientific and technological services.
These services currently include the Mechanical Workshop, Electronics Workshop, Nanofabrication Laboratory (NFL), Nanocharacterization Laboratory (NCL), Chemical Laboratory and Post-Processing Laboratory (PPL), Biological Laboratory and Super-resolution Light Microscopy and Nanoscopy (SLN), and will continue to evolve as new scientific capabilities, including research infrastructure, major scientific equipment and specialized technical services, are developed.
ICFO is seeking an outstanding leader to serve as Director of Scientific and Technological Services.
Reporting directly to the Executive Leadership, the successful candidate will serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and the Managing Director on matters relating to scientific infrastructure, shared research capabilities and scientific and technological services. The Director of Scientific and Technological Services will work closely with research group leaders, the Head of General Infrastructure and other institutional leaders to ensure that ICFO’s scientific capabilities continue to evolve in support of frontier research.
The Director of Scientific and Technological Services will provide strategic leadership for ICFO’s scientific and technological services, shared scientific capabilities and major research infrastructure. Beyond ensuring their effective operation, the successful candidate will help shape the Institute’s future scientific capabilities through strategic planning, stewardship of scientific infrastructure and close collaboration with the scientific community.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the scientific excellence and long-term development of one of Europe’s leading research institutions.
Main Responsibilities
Executive Leadership Support and Strategic Planning
- Serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and the Managing Director on matters relating to ICFO’s scientific capabilities, research infrastructure and scientific and technological services.
- Translate the Institute’s scientific priorities into long-term strategies for the development of shared scientific capabilities, research infrastructure and scientific services.
Work closely with research groups and the Executive Leadership to identify, assess and prioritize major institutional investments in scientific equipment and infrastructure, ensuring that institutional investments reflect the Institute’s scientific priorities, long-term strategy and the evolving needs of its research community.
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Scientific and Technological Services
- Lead and develop ICFO’s scientific and technological service units, fostering operational excellence, collaboration and a strong service culture.
- Ensure that ICFO’s scientific and technological services continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of research groups and the Institute’s scientific priorities.
Promote the development of new shared scientific capabilities, services and research infrastructure that strengthen ICFO’s research environment.
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Scientific Capabilities and Infrastructure
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive institutional inventory and strategic overview of ICFO’s major scientific equipment and shared research infrastructure, including utilization, maintenance, lifecycle status and future investment priorities.
- Lead the strategic planning of scientific infrastructure and major research equipment throughout their lifecycle, including acquisition, utilization, maintenance, renewal and replacement.
- Maintain close dialogue with research groups to understand their evolving scientific and technological needs, ensuring that future scientific capabilities and infrastructure investments respond effectively to the Institute’s research priorities.
- Promote the strategic sharing of scientific infrastructure, technical expertise and specialized capabilities across research groups, maximizing scientific impact and the effective use of institutional resources.
Maintain active engagement with leading international research institutions, scientific infrastructure networks and technology providers to identify emerging technologies, benchmark best practices and anticipate future scientific capabilities relevant to ICFO.
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Governance, Financial Sustainability and Compliance
- In close collaboration with the Executive Leadership, contribute to the definition and implementation of the institutional governance framework, costing and funding models, and strategic priorities for ICFO’s scientific and technological services.
- Implement and oversee institutional frameworks that ensure the sustainable, efficient and compliant operation of scientific and technological services, including costing methodologies, pricing policies, resource planning and performance indicators.
- Coordinate the provision of scientific and technological services to internal and external users, promoting consistent institutional practices, appropriate cost recovery and compliance with applicable legal, financial and public-sector requirements.
Develop institutional metrics to evaluate the scientific, strategic and financial contribution of ICFO’s scientific and technological services, supporting evidence-based planning, investment decisions and the continuous improvement of the Institute’s shared scientific capabilities.
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Organizational Leadership and Development
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented and high-performing culture.
- Lead the continued development and integration of ICFO’s scientific and technological services and, in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership, define priorities and a strategic roadmap for its future evolution.
- Work closely with the Head of General Infrastructure to ensure the coordinated planning and long-term development of ICFO’s scientific and physical infrastructure.
- Represent ICFO within national and international scientific infrastructure networks, promoting collaboration, benchmarking and the exchange of best practices.
Candidate Profile
We seek an outstanding leader with a strong scientific or engineering background, substantial experience managing research infrastructure or scientific services, and demonstrated ability to combine strategic thinking with operational excellence. The successful candidate will be comfortable working at the interface between science, technology, operations, institutional management and strategic planning.
Essential Qualifications
- PhD or Master’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Nanotechnology or another relevant scientific or engineering discipline. Additional postgraduate training in management or business administration is desirable.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing scientific infrastructure, research facilities, scientific services or related technical organizations.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and complex organizational environments.
- Experience within internationally recognized research institutions, universities or similarly research-intensive environments.
- Demonstrated experience in scientific infrastructure planning, research equipment management or core facility development.
- Experience managing significant operational budgets and scientific infrastructure investments.
- Proven ability to work closely with researchers, technical staff and senior institutional leadership.
- Strong understanding of research infrastructure lifecycle management, including maintenance, renewal and long-term strategic planning.
- Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
Excellent command of English (minimum CEFR C1), both written and spoken.
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Desired Qualifications
- MBA or postgraduate education in management, innovation or leadership.
- International experience managing scientific infrastructure or research facilities.
- Experience establishing or expanding scientific service units.
- Familiarity with European research infrastructures, large-scale scientific facilities and research infrastructure funding programmes.
- Knowledge of the research and innovation ecosystem in Catalonia, Spain and Europe.
Knowledge of Catalan at level C1 or equivalent, or commitment to demonstrate equivalent proficiency through an internal assessment in accordance with Catalan public-sector requirements.
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Personal Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic vision and systems thinking.
- Scientific curiosity and sound technical judgement.
- Strong leadership and organizational capabilities.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to build consensus across scientific and technical communities.
- Initiative, flexibility and execution capacity.
- Commitment to excellence, quality and continuous improvement.
- Integrity, sound judgement and a strong sense of institutional responsibility.
Appreciation for multicultural and international research environments.
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What ICFO Offers
At ICFO, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading research institutions and to play a key role in shaping its future development and international presence.
The position provides:
- A highly stimulating and international environment.
- A senior leadership role with close interaction with the Director and the Managing Director.
- The opportunity to contribute to the visibility and impact of frontier science.
- Direct interaction with world-leading scientists and strategic partners.
- Significant scope for creativity, institutional development and long-term impact.
- The opportunity to lead and develop a highly capable multidisciplinary area with broad institutional reach and impact.
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
A unique location in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most vibrant scientific, cultural and innovation hubs.
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Equal Opportunity
ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based solely on merit and potential, regardless of gender, nationality, or disability. ICFO fully endorses the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and supportive recruitment process.
Conditions
This is a full-time position.
The contract offered will be a permanent contract (contracte indefinit) linked to the approved Public Employment Offer (Oferta Pública d’Ocupació – OPO) of ICFO and governed by the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A probationary period of 6 months will apply, in accordance with ICFO’s internal labor regulations and the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A salary according to ICFO’s approved salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the level of the position and the candidate’s experience.
The selected candidate will join ICFO under a permanent contract and will benefit from ICFO’s attractive working conditions, including a hybrid work model, flexible working hours, and access to professional development opportunities.
To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your experience, and contact information for 2 professional references. Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform http://jobs.icfo.eu.
The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:
1. Eligibility check of applications.
2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
3. Written test to assess technical knowledge related to the job position
4. Interview with shortlisted candidates
The Evaluation Committee will include at least three members and ensure gender balance and impartiality.
Each phase will be documented, and candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.
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
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All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).
Reference: 1123
Application deadline: 31.08.26
