ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a world-leading research center 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 center 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, organizational effectiveness and long-term impact.
As a public research institution, ICFO is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Leadership comprising the Director and the Managing Director, who are responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational development of the Institute.
Position Overview:
ICFO is seeking a Strategy Officer to join its Institutional Strategy team within the Scientific Development domain.
Reporting to the Executive Leadership, the Strategy Officer will contribute to the development and implementation of ICFO’s scientific and institutional strategy through the management of projects, studies and cross-functional initiatives.
The position requires a professional with a dual background in research and management, capable of understanding the practical context of scientific activity and translating institutional needs into clear, workable solutions.
The successful candidate will support the Executive Leadership on matters requiring scientific understanding, analytical capacity, organizational judgement and effective execution. The role will involve working across scientific and corporate areas and contributing to initiatives related to research governance, organizational development, external collaborations, infrastructure and institutional processes.
The Strategy Officer will be expected to take ownership of assigned matters, bring structure to complex issues and ensure that decisions and agreed actions are properly implemented.
Main Responsibilities
Scientific and Institutional Strategy
- Contribute to the analysis and implementation of scientific and institutional priorities.
- Support the Executive Leadership in the study and development of strategic matters.
- Prepare reports, analyses, proposals and recommendations to support decision-making.
Identify relevant opportunities, risks, dependencies and institutional needs.
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Project Management and Cross-Functional Initiatives
- Manage institutional projects involving scientific and corporate units.
- Define objectives, work plans, milestones, responsibilities and deliverables.
- Coordinate contributions from the relevant stakeholders.
- Monitor progress, risks, decisions and pending actions.
Support the implementation and follow-up of approved measures.
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Research-Related Institutional Matters
- Contribute to the management of institutional, organizational and operational matters arising from selected research activities.
- Support the development of appropriate procedures, frameworks and coordination mechanisms.
- Help identify the institutional implications of new activities, collaborations, facilities or ways of working.
Coordinate input from the relevant scientific, legal, technical, financial and administrative functions.
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External Collaborations and Institutional Development
- Support the development of collaborations with hospitals, universities, research centers and other external organizations.
- Contribute to the preparation and review of agreements, procedures and collaboration models.
- Participate in projects related to new scientific spaces, infrastructures or institutional arrangements.
Support organizational improvement, digitalization and change-management initiatives.
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Key Working Relationships
The Strategy Officer will report to and work closely with the Executive Leadership.
The role will also require regular functional coordination with:
- the Institutional Strategy team;
- research groups;
- Technology Transfer, Education and Training, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Scientific Strategy, Infrastructure Teams;
- the Projects Office, Legal, Finance, IT and other corporate services;
- hospitals, universities, research centers and other external partners;
- institutional committees and cross-functional working groups.
We seek a professional with a strong combination of scientific training, research-environment experience and management capability.
The successful candidate will understand how laboratories and research organizations operate in practice and will be able to work effectively across scientific, operational and institutional contexts.
They will bring strong analytical and project-management skills, sound judgement and a high degree of personal responsibility. The role requires someone who works with autonomy, focuses on relevant issues and follows assigned matters through to completion.
Essential Qualifications
- PhD in biology, life sciences, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience in scientific, clinical, hospital or research environments.
- Experience managing laboratories, projects, infrastructures or scientific activities.
- Experience coordinating professionals and working with scientific and management profiles.
- Ability to analyze complex matters and formulate clear conclusions and recommendations.
- Experience preparing reports, proposals and documentation for institutional decision-making.
- Ability to manage cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Working professional knowledge of English.
Professional command of Catalan.
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Desired Qualifications
- Experience in institutional development, research management or research governance.
- Experience in research ethics, animal research or related regulatory environments.
- Experience developing collaborations with hospitals, universities or research centers.
- Experience implementing new processes, organizational models or institutional arrangements.
- Knowledge of Spanish.
Experience within the Catalan research, hospital or innovation ecosystem.
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Personal Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- ownership and accountability;
- sound judgement and the ability to prioritize;
- a pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach;
- strong analytical and project-management skills;
- reliability, discretion and professional integrity;
- the ability to coordinate effectively across functions;
- clear and direct communication;
- autonomy and execution capacity;
- persistence in following matters through to completion;
the ability to combine scientific understanding with institutional and management perspectives.
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What ICFO Offers
At ICFO, we offer the opportunity to contribute to the scientific, strategic and organizational development of one of the world’s leading research institutions.
The position provides:
- a highly stimulating and international research environment;
- close interaction with the Executive Leadership;
- involvement in high-impact institutional projects;
- direct engagement with scientific, corporate and external stakeholders;
- substantial autonomy and responsibility;
- competitive conditions commensurate with experience and qualifications;
a unique location in Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading scientific, cultural and innovation hubs.
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Equal Opportunity
ICFO is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applications are encouraged from outstanding candidates regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
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: 1140
Application deadline: 13.09.26
