The IVORI PhD Programme offered by The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is aimed at exceptional female graduate students from Latin America (Spanish- speaking countries and Brazil), to support their enrolment in a training and research programme in the field of chemistry and closely related fields, ultimately leading to the completion of a Doctoral Thesis in partnership with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). The programme will also contribute to their professional career development.

This objective is achieved by:

• Performance of an individual research project under the direction of a Group Leader.
• Possible short stays in distinguished international research institutions.
• Complementary training in both technical and soft skills. Trainings are designed to ensure a successful career: weekly scientific seminars, hands-on training in the use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills and career development.

The programme targets highly qualified and talented female graduate students with a keen interest in chemical research and closely related fields. Candidates should have an excellent academic record, strong commitment to scientific research and a solid working knowledge of English.

Admission to the programme is on a competitive basis.

I. Application process

The entire application process will be completed online. Applicants must apply by accessing ICIQ’s Career Portal. Applications sent by email, or any other means, will not be accepted.

Only one application per person will be considered. In case of multiple applications, only the first application received will be considered.

After completing the online form, applicants must attach the following documents:

Required documentation

1. A full Curriculum Vitae (in PDF format). It should include the academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, other relevant merits and references.
2. A personal statement that describes the applicant’s academic background, research experience and career goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, in PDF format). This is a very important section of the application. The candidate must be able to communicate their interests and how these would align with the ICIQ and the PhD training program.
3. Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies in PDF format. A scanned copy of the certified academic record of the degrees needed to enter the PhD programme (BSc and MSc). In case that the MSc studies have not yet been completed at the time of the application, candidates must include details of the academic subjects in which they are currently enrolled (subject name and number of credits). For academic records not issued in Catalan, Spanish or English, a certified translation in English should be provided; applications which do not include a certified translation of the academic record will not be eligible and, therefore, not taken into consideration.

For degrees obtained in foreign institutions, the academic transcript must include the final/average grade, the complete grading scale used by the corresponding university of origin, the ranges associated with that scale, and the minimum passing grade, as well as the hours or ECTS and grades for each subject.

1. Letters of recommendation of two University professors or other relevant individuals who can assess the candidate’s potential for research. The persons signing the letter may be contacted by the ICIQ, in the event that a candidate is shortlisted. We suggest informing your references.
2. Language: Applicants must be proficient in written and oral communication in English. Finalist candidates will be interviewed to assess their English competency.

Please note that documents sent in hard copy will not be processed.

Once the application has been successfully completed, an acknowledgement e-mail will be automatically sent. Candidates must ensure that all the required documentation is included before submitting the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

II. Eligibility and evaluation criteria

The programme is open specifically to female graduate students, of any nationality from Latin America (Spanish-speaking countries and Brazil) that fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Candidates must have a Master’s or an equivalent degree in the areas of Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering or other closely related disciplines that must be completed by the time of enrolment in the PhD programme.

When in doubt regarding the eligibility criteria, applicants should contact ICIQ’s HR Department team at positions@iciq.es prior to submission of the application.

Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria will be evaluated according to the following

Evaluation criteria:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. Personal statement.
3. Academic record.
4. Two recommendation letters.
5. Personal interview for short-listed candidates.

III. Evaluation and Selection Process

The evaluation and selection of the candidates will be performed by the project supervisors supported by the HR Department team, and following the below procedure:

• Submitted applications will be checked for eligibility and those not fulfilling all the criteria will be rejected. It won’t be possible to modify the application or to add missing documentation after the application has been submitted and the call has closed.

The selection will be based on the evaluation criteria described in Section II.

• At the late stages of the selection process, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a personal interview.
• All applicants will be notified of the final selection decision by the end of June 2025. The name of the awardees will be published on ICIQ’s website.

Successful candidates will be requested to inform ICIQ whether they accept or decline the offer within five business days after being notified. The offer will be considered declined in the event that the applicant does not respond during this time.

The ICIQ will only consider female applicants but will not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnic or social origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or disability.

ICIQ is committed to promoting a work-life balance for its employees and, as such, offers flexible working hours.

IV. Grant Conditions

1. The awardees of an IVORI ICIQ PhD position will be considered research personnel in training and they will have an employment contract (a pre-doctoral contract) which is regulated by the Spanish Law 14/2011, of June 1^st, of Science, Technology and Education
2. Pre-doctoral contracts are renewed annually for up to 4 years. Renewal is subject to satisfactory performance in the PhD studies and related research activities.
3. The gross yearly salary of the contract shall be split into 12 monthly payments and distributed as shown below:
   1. First and Second year of PhD: 18.180,41€ /year
   2. Third year of PhD: 19.479,01€ /year
   3. Fourth year of PhD: 24.348,77€ /year *The salary will be updated according to the provisions of the EPIF (Statute of Research Staff in Training).
4. The fellowship includes full social security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system, providing access to the Spanish public health care system and pension and unemployment benefits.
5. The grant holder is entitled to temporarily interrupt the fellowship in the following situations: temporary disability, risk during pregnancy, maternity, and adoption or foster care. The time elapsed during this interruption will not be counted against the total time.
6. The contract will take effect on the date when the awardee joins the centre.
7. The IVORI PhD programme includes the costs of enrolment in the PhD programme. These costs will be paid by each beneficiary to the university and reimbursed by the ICIQ. The PhD thesis has to be completed within 4 years.
8. The PhD awardees will work full-time at ICIQ and may not receive any other fellowship or regular income.
9. The IVORI PhD position is incompatible with any other fellowship with the same purpose.