Join ICN2’s PhD Programme and carry out high-impact research in nanoscience and nanotechnology within an international, interdisciplinary and excellence-driven environment.
What is the ICN2 PhD Programme
The ICN2 PhD Programme aims to support your development throughout your doctoral research. Alongside the scientific guidance of your research group, the programme gives you access to the collective resources and vision of the ICN2 as a whole.
Each year, an internal committee will advise you on formative experiences to prioritise conference attendance, transferable skills, publication record, and international exposure. You will follow a training calendar designed to support each stage of your PhD: project planning, lab techniques, scientific writing. You will attend regular seminars by field leaders, participate in international conferences and workshops, and have opportunities for academic and industry placements at partner institutions. Additionally, our mentoring programme will help you navigate the challenges of the PhD experience and develop beyond the purely academic.
The goal is straightforward: to help you get the most out of your time at ICN2 and to prepare you for whatever professional path awaits you after your PhD.
We are looking for highly motivated Master's students with a science background and a keen interest in nanoscience. A good level of English is required. There is one annual call and applications are submitted exclusively online. Applicants must successfully pass a selection process and be willing to work closely with the Institute to secure funding. For details about the current ICN2 PhD Programme call, review our open positions.
| Opening date | May – June |
| Application deadline | July |
| Selection process | July – October |
Contract start date | January – March |
Advice to Candidates
Think about your research interests: Consider which ICN2 research group—or groups—best align with your scientific interests. Your host group will guide your scientific development throughout your PhD. You will report directly to the group leader, and one of the group members will supervise your thesis. You will be asked to indicate your top three preferred groups in your application.
Prepare your application carefully: Candidates are assessed via a points-based system covering academic record, publications, research experience, international experience, references and motivation letter. Pay particular attention to your academic grades — indicate the full breakdown from your undergraduate and Master's degree(s).
How to apply: Applications are made exclusively online. Follow the instructions in the call. If you have any difficulties, contact us at hr@icn2.cat.
Funding: Final admission is subject to funding availability. Some candidates receive direct funding from their host group; others apply for national or international PhD grants. Our HR team will support shortlisted candidates throughout this process, although we encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the available funding options in advance.
If you haven't finished your Master's yet: We accept applications from candidates nearing the end of their Master's. Indicate your expected end date and provisional grades. If it is still ongoing, indicate those grades you have achieved so far. If possible, convert them into a score from 1 to 10 using this chart.
References: You can upload two reference letters and provide up to three professional references. We will contact references in the week before the call deadline.
- Enrolment: ICN2 PhD students are formally enrolled in doctoral programmes at partner universities, mainly at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. If selected, HR will guide you through the enrolment process.
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