The Institut of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) is a center based in Castelldefels (Barcelona) / Spain, devotedto the research and education of the optical and photonic sciences, at the highest international level.ICFO, in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), is offering predoctoralfellowships to well-qualified graduate students who wish to obtain a doctoral degree in any of thephotonics-related research fields. Ph.D. students at ICFO benefit from the extensive course offerings oflocal universities and focused instruction by ICFO professors. Research is carried out at ICFO.

The ICFO-UPC PhD Fellowship Program welcomes applications from individuals with backgrounds inany scientific disciplines related to optics and photonics. Persons with disabilities are stronglyencouraged to apply.

Eligibility
No restrictions of citizenship apply to the ICFO-UPC Fellowships.Candidates must hold an internationally-recognized Bachelor or Master-equivalent degree of a minimumof officially 4 years studying period.The degree must be in a field of science and engineering related to optics and photonics.Suitable backgrounds include optics, physics, mathematics, electronics and telecommunicationsengineering.

Conditions of fellowships
The fellowships are offered for periods of one year, renewable for a total of four years.The renovation of the fellowship is conditional on satisfactory performance in research and teachingactivities.

Selection procedure
Selection of ICFO-UPC predoctoral fellows is based on merit and potential, measured in terms of theacademic record and personal achievements. Proactivity, participation in community activities, andcapacity for team-work are also taken into account.Please note the selection procedure employed at ICFO, detailed in the following.

1) Required documentation for application
To apply for a predoctoral position with ICFO, suitable candidates are requested to submit:

• The fulfilled application form (to be found at the end of the call)
• A resentation letter with declaration of research interests,
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a full address, a contact phone number and e-mail address and acopy of the passport,
• A scanned copy of your University academic transcripts in English or Spanish,
• A scanned copy of the degree, if available at the time of application,
• The contact e-mail of three potential referees.

Applications should be submitted by e-mail to: icfojobs@icfo.es
E-mail submissions must be coded in DOC, PS, or PDF formats and must include the subject line“General PhD”.

Applications can also be submitted by post to:

PhD Screening Committee
ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences
Mediterranean Technology Park
Av Canal Olímpic s/n
08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain

2) Evaluation procedure
The deadline for the submission of applications for the present call is: 31st of December, 2006.Please, beware that ICFO established three periods of applications for pre-doctoral studies positions peryear. The next submission deadline will be the 31st of December, 2006.

Applicants will be notified of the results of the first evaluation stage at ICFO by the 5th of February, 2007.

If an applicant has been selected for the second evaluation stage, the interested group leaders of ICFOwill contact personally with that candidate in order to determine research interests or suitability of thecandidate for the interested research group. This second evaluation period will be finished no later thanthe 18th of March, 2007.

All candidates will be notified of the decision in their case. In case of positive evaluation, the candidatewill receive an official offer from the ICFO. The selected candidate will have until the 22nd of April, 2007to confirm his or her decision.

Please note that candidates should be willing to be contacted by phone during the entire selectionprocess.

3) After acceptance by ICFO
Staff of the Human Resources and Education Unit of ICFO assists ICFO-PhD-students with the followingprocedures:

• Immigration formalities (Visa application process, etc.)
• Information about how to legalize your previous studies (e.g. BSc, MSc, etc.)
• Selection of the most suitable doctorate programme
• Collection of the necessary documentation to be submitted at the University
• Registration to the doctorate programme
• Further administrative accomplishments necessary for your arrival to ICFO

For further information, please visit www.icfo.es. Call for application announcement and application form can be downloaded here.