These two projects have been awarded in the 2024 call, and they will involve 3 new PhD fellows arriving at ICMAB. Two will be within the DESTINY2 project, on battery research, and will work under the supervision of M. Rosa Palacín and Alexandre Ponrouch, respectively, as a continuation of the soon-to-be-finished DESTINY project, and the third one will work within the PHYNEST project, in advanced and sustainable materials for superconducting applications, under the supervision of Teresa Puig.
About DESTINY2
DESTINY2 (Doctorate Programme on Emerging Battery Storage Technologies INspiring Young Scientists) is an excellent doctoral program led by the French CNRS, aimed at recruiting and training 42 doctoral candidates in five key areas of energy storage and battery research. The program upholds Open Science principles while maintaining the highest standards of research quality across post Li-Ion technologies, high-power devices, battery manufacturing and recycling, and advanced methods, new materials, and electrolytes.
As an implementing partner, the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) is actively involved in DESTINY2, hosting two PhD fellows under the supervision of M. Rosa Palacín and Alexandre Ponrouch from the Solid State Chemistry (SSC) Laboratory.
Building on the success of the original DESTINY COFUND program, DESTINY2 strengthens European collaboration in battery research, consolidating a European doctoral school on batteries. It brings together 15 implementing partners (hosting laboratories) and 22 cofunders, including eight private companies and fourteen universities, to ensure an outstanding research and training environment.
The program provides a holistic training approach, integrating cutting-edge research with essential soft skills while fostering interdisciplinary, international, and intersectoral collaboration. With the participation of 39 partner organizations, including leading European battery industries and large-scale facilities, DESTINY2 is a significant step forward in preparing the next generation of scientists at the forefront of European battery research.
Group photo of the DESTINY PhD fellows and supervisors in their project meeting in Barcelona, February 2025About PHYNEST
PHYNEST (“Physics for a greener world: fostering the next generation of talented young researchers in novel materials, innovative strategies and energy solutions”) is a distinguished doctoral programme led by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) that will recruit and train 25 PhD candidates. The initiative focuses on advancing research in materials science, innovative strategies, and sustainable energy solutions, using physical sciences as a foundation to drive progress toward environmental sustainability.
ICMAB-CSIC is an implementing partner in PHYNEST and will host one PhD fellow under the supervision of Teresa Puig in the Superconducting Materials and Functional Nanoengineered Structures (SUMAN) group. Alongside UAB, five internationally renowned research centers and one private company will collaborate in the selection and training of doctoral candidates through an open, transparent, and merit-based process, ensuring excellence and diversity in recruitment.
A strong emphasis is placed on fostering inclusion, with particular attention to applications from women and underrepresented groups in STEM disciplines. The research topics offered span over 50 options, integrating experimental and theoretical approaches while addressing the historical and social dimensions of energy and climate in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
PHYNEST’s hosting institutions provide world-class research facilities and experienced supervisors in their respective fields. Additionally, more than 20 associated partners will contribute by hosting fellows for secondments and participating in network-wide events, offering training in scientific and transferable skills, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, project management, and science communication. PHYNEST creates an ideal environment for nurturing young researchers, preparing them to become future leaders in academia and industry, committed to shaping a more sustainable world.
Eva Pellicer, coordinator of the PHYNEST project, with Xavier Álvarez, director of the Department of Physics, in one of the department's research laboratories | UAB
About COFUND
The COFUND action, part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), supports high-quality regional, national, and international training programmes through co-funding mechanisms. It enhances research excellence by promoting the best practices of MSCA, ensuring outstanding working conditions, and fostering sustainable career development opportunities for researchers.
COFUND programmes are designed to strengthen international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral mobility by supporting both doctoral and postdoctoral training initiatives. By co-funding new or existing programmes, COFUND facilitates advanced research training while encouraging collaboration across borders and sectors. Researchers benefit from a structured environment that integrates scientific excellence with transferable skills training, preparing them for leadership roles in academia, industry, and beyond.
ICMAB actively participates in COFUND through its own doctoral programmes, DOCFAM and now DOCFAM+, dedicated to fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in materials science. These programmes attract top international talent, offering fellows access to state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research projects, and a strong collaborative network. Through its involvement in COFUND, ICMAB continues to contribute to shaping the next generation of researchers, driving scientific progress and technological innovation.
More information:
- La UAB coordinarà un projecte d'excel·lència en materials avançats, energia i sostenibilitat: PHYNEST (UAB, 2025)
- DESTINY project website
- The DESTINY COFUND Programme will train 50 young researchers to become future leaders in the battery field (ICMAB, 2020)
- The COFUND 2025 is currently open and will close on 24 June 2025. Thinking about applying?
