Group Leader Ref GL 2024-02

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) seeks a Group Leader to lead a new research group.

ICIQ is one of the worlds internationally recognised leading institutions in the field of chemistry and it is committed to solving significant social and economic challenges by conducting topquality research in three main areas: Sustainable catalysis renewable energy and health. The institute also aims to train future scientists by offering highquality educational programs to master PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (complete details on ).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Group leader must independently coordinate the scientific program of the research group lead and drive the preparation and submission of scientific proposals and supervise PhD Thesis and Postdoctoral researchers. The group leader is responsible for committing to the institutionals ethical guidelines collaborating with the ICIQ Direction and other ICIQ staff and reporting when requested to the Scientific Advisory Board.

The successful candidate will develop a program to strengthen the ICIQ strategic research line on Renewable Energy via Artificial Photosynthesis and Biological Mimicking Systems.

Candidates Profile:

The candidate must have a vast knowledge of natural photosynthesis propose an innovative material to convert sunlight into electricity and/or fuel and develop/utilize advanced spectroscopic techniques to position ICIQ at the forefront of the ultrafast spectroscopy research field.

Regarding the materials for solarenergy conversion and due to the current interest in de novo protein design ICIQ will prioritise candidatures related to this specific research area (or ICIQ encourages researchers working in this area to apply). Other materials such as organic/inorganic molecular systems hybrid nanocrystalsbio materials etc will also be considered. The candidate must show expertise and knowhow in the conception and development of each proposed material.

Regarding the techniques to apply and develop the candidate must demonstrate solid technical and scientific expertise in ultrafast spectroscopic methods in the femtosecond to nanosecond time scale such as transient absorption (both narrow excitation/whitelight detection and broadband excitation and detection) timeresolved fluorescence measurements with a Streak camera detector and twodimensional electronic spectroscopy. Applying these methods is expected to provide new insights into fundamental processes such as lightactivated energy and electron transfer and the role of coherent effects on these processes.

Specific skills and requirements:

Technical skills: Design and assembly of advanced spectroscopic instruments comprising a selection of optical equipment contacting providers negotiating prices directing and supervising the assembly of the optical components as well as the conception of homewritten scripts for data acquisition processing and analysis. Supervise the laboratory climatisation conditioning system (conception and maintenance) in close collaboration with the institute maintenance technicians.

Scientific skills: ample expertise in the processing analysing and interpreting complex ultrafast spectroscopic data.

Combining these timeresolved methods with steadystate spectroscopic techniques (absorption fluorescence linear and circular dichroism Stark spectroscopy resonance Raman FTIR etc) will be positively evaluated.

Concerning scientific relevance the candidate must demonstrate peer recognition at the highest international level which will be evaluated by publications in highimpact factor journals major grants obtained (such as ERC grants European Networks European Projects) invitations to renowned conferences (as keynote speaker speaker and/or discussion leader) participation in research councils review panels and a vast network of distinguished collaborators. Other aspects not included here that are related to scientific relevance will be positively evaluated.

In addition the candidate should demonstrate experience and ability to direct and supervise a research group consisting of masters students PhD students postdoctoral researchers and technicians.

Application documents:

Applicants are requested to submit:

• A letter of interest (up to 3 pages)
• A full curriculum vitae
• A description of previous accomplishments
• A research plan (up to 5 pages)
• The contact information for at least three references.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Conditions:

• A permanent fulltime employment contract (to be evaluated during the first 2 years and every 3 years afterwards by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). If the evaluation by the SAB is negative it will result in the termination of the permanent contract).
• Annual salary split into twelve monthly payments.
• Competitive salary.
• Full access to the ICIQ facilities (stateoftheart instrumentation facilities solvents and gases and management and administrative support).
• Incorporation: 16/12/ 2024

OTMR principles in the selection processes

ICIQ follows the principles of Open Transparent and Meritbased Recruitment (OTMR) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers established by the European Commission.

ICIQ follows in its selection process a gender equality opportunity policy and a nondiscrimination policy based on age ethnic or social origin religion or belief sexual orientation language and disability.

ICIQ is committed to promoting a worklife balance for its employees and as such offers flexible working hours.

Selection Process

ICIQs selection process usually entails the following phases:

• Preselection: The process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected in the candidates CVs. This phase is meritbased.
• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and the appointed Selection Committee.
• Offer Letter:Once the successful candidate is selected the People Unit will extend a Job Offer specifying the start day salary and overall job conditions.

For further information you can visit our HR Excellence in Research page at: HR Excellence in Research (iciq.org)