CIC nanoGUNE: Junior Group Leaders

ScienceCareers.eu; España; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

CIC nanoGUNE in Spain invites applications for the Recognised Researcher (R2) across Quantum Nanoscience and Nanomedicine, leveraging our 300 m² cleanroom and advanced facilities.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field, be within ERC Starting Grant eligibility, and have an excellent postdoctoral publication record. They should demonstrate the ability to build and lead a research team in an international setting.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline.
• Must be within ERC Starting Grant eligibility window at the application deadline.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Skills

Postdoc publication record

Independent research

International experience

Team leadership

Grant writing

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biology

Job description

Organisation/Company CIC nanoGUNE Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Research areas
We welcome applications across the full breadth of two broad areas:

• Quantum Nanoscience: including, but not limited to, quantum materials, quantum transport, quantum optics and photonics, quantum sensing, superconducting and spin-based devices, low-dimensional and topological systems, and quantum hardware.
• Nanomedicine: including, but not limited to, nanobiotechnology, biomolecular engineering, nanoscale biophysics, biomaterials, diagnostics, and bio-inspired nanosystems.

Proposals that are original, ambitious, and complementary to nanoGUNE's existing activity are particularly encouraged. We will especially value research programs that exploit our experimental infrastructure, including our 300 m² cleanroom for nanofabrication, 15 ultra-low-noise laboratories, and shared platforms for electron microscopy, nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy, thin-film growth, and nanodevice characterization.

Career perspective

Junior Group Leaders are expected to conduct frontier research, apply to the next available Ikerbasque Research Fellow call, and seek competitive funding such as the ERC Starting Grant. Establishing a successful independent research line may subsequently open a pathway to a permanent position, in coordination with the Ikerbasque program for the consolidation of research talent in the Basque Country.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline, and must be within the ERC Starting Grant eligibility window at the application deadline. Extensions recognized under ERC rules, including parental leave and long-term illness, will be taken into account.

We seek an excellent postdoctoral publication record, scientific independence, international research experience, and an original research proposal that builds on nanoGUNE's infrastructure and expertise. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to build and lead a research team and secure external funding. Proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of Spanish or Basque is not required.

We promote teamwork, equality, and inclusion, and we welcome applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from women.