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ICMAB Open Positions

New call for 3 PhD positions at ICMAB within the MATRANS42 program (Severo Ochoa)

Deadline: Jun 13, 2025

The ICMAB is offering three PhD contracts within the framework of the PIX2024 funding program (first call), associated with its “Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence” accreditation. This call is part of the State Program to Promote Scientific-Technical Research and its Transfer (2021-2023) by the Spanish State Research Agency.

General details:

  • Number of positions: 3 (see here the contract reference numbers)
  • Publication date: 30/05/2025
  • Application deadline: 10 working days from the day after publication (13/06/2025)
  • Selection system: Competitive process
  • Application and documentation: Call link

Below are the three specific PhD offers:

1. Carbon-Dots Based Phosphors for Efficient Light Emitting Diodes

This project will be carried out within the NANOPTO group, focusing on developing scalable synthesis methods for high-quantum yield carbon dots (CDs) and understanding the fundamental mechanisms behind their photoluminescence. The goal is to create reproducible, cost-effective processes for large-scale production and to explore applications of CDs in light-emitting devices. The fellow will be trained in chemical physics, material science, and device fabrication, with opportunities for internal secondments within ICMAB.

  • PhD co-supervisors:
    • Prof./Dr. Alejandro Goñi (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
    • Prof./Dr. Isabel Alonso (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
  • Research group website: NANOPTO
  • Download here for more info about this project

2. Battery Electrode Materials from Abundant Bio-Based Precursors

The project, led by the Solid State Chemistry department, focuses on designing and characterizing electrode materials for batteries derived from bio-based precursors. Emphasis will be on Si/graphite and SiOx/graphite blends produced from diatom microalgae shells. The PhD student will employ advanced characterization techniques and electrochemical testing, with additional studies at the ALBA synchrotron.

3. Curvature Induced Magnetic and Spin-Orbit Couplings from First Principles

This theoretical project, within the Theory and Simulation group, will explore how strain gradients (curvature) affect the magnetic and electronic properties of materials. The focus will be on understanding curvature-induced spin-orbit interactions and magnetic couplings using first-principles density-functional theory and perturbative techniques. The PhD student will also be encouraged to spend time at leading international research institutions.

How to apply

Interested candidates should review the full details and submit the required documentation through the CSIC portal: Official Call Link.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the respective PhD supervisors directly, or you can reach out to the general email address at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Anna May
02 June 2025