“La Caixa” Foundation is launching a postdoctoral fellowships program in which candidates will be able to conduct a research project at accredited centres with the Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu excellence award, Institutos de Investigación Sanitaria Carlos IIII and units evaluated as excellent by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia of Portugal.

Description of our Institute:

The Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) is an interdisciplinary center devoted to fundamental research in the fields of cosmology, astrophysics and particle physics. In addition, the Institute has a strong technology program through its participation in international collaborations in observational astronomy and experimental particle physics. Moreover, the institute is an interdisciplinary centre with more than 70 long-term scientists, 20 engineers and 80 postdoctoral researchers (55% international) and PhD students (30% international) offering an international and multicultural environment.

The ICCUB has been awarded the Maria de Maeztu distinction which recognizes our leadership and research impact. Our main lines of research, as well as the associated faculty members, can be found here.

The ICCUB is concerned about the under representation of women, as well as other underrepresented minorities in the fields of sciences of the cosmos, and therefore strongly encourages their application.

The ICCUB is located in Barcelona, considered the 6th World's Best Cities: one with near-perfect weather year-round, miles and miles of beaches, iconic parks, striking architecture and colourful neighbourhoods that march to their own beat—artistic, sophisticated, bohemian. Moreover, it is a pole of attraction for the technology sector, a top choice to establish a company in this sector, and it hosts some of the world's major technological events, such as the Mobile World Congress and the Smart City Expo. In addition, Barcelona and its metropolitan area is a leading destination on the map of global technological ecosystems and has infrastructures such as science parks, universities and the 22@ district.

Junior Leader Fellowships Programme Description:

The Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships programme is aimed at hiring excellent researchers, of any nationality, who wish to continue their research career in Spain or Portugal in the STEM area (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The objectives of this programme are to foster high-quality, innovative research in Spain and Portugal and to support the best scientific talent by providing them with an attractive, competitive environment in which to conduct excellent research.

The Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships programme is divided into two different frames.

Incoming programme:

• Postdoctorate Junior Leader – Incoming: 20 postdoctoral fellowships for researchers of all nationalities. They will be offered a three-year employment contract to conduct a research project at accredited centres with the Severo Ochoa or María de Maeztu excellence award, Institutos de Investigación Sanitaria Carlos IIII and units evaluated as excellent by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia of Portugal.
• 3 years maximum duration
• Maximum amount: €320,100.
• Programme of training in multidisciplinary skills

Requirements:

Researchers of any nationality are eligible for the Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships programme. In order to get accepted, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Experience: They should have earned their doctoral degree two to seven years prior to the deadline of the call for applications. The date of the doctoral thesis defence will be understood as the date when the doctoral degree is defended. In the cases of interruption of the research activity between the date of obtaining the doctoral degree and the call deadline, the candidate may request an extension of the period in which the doctoral degree must have been obtained.
• Geographic mobility:
  For candidates applying to Spanish centres or units: Candidates must not have resided or have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than twelve months in the three years immediately preceding the closing date of the call. Short stays, such as holidays, will not be taken into account.

Special mobility condition could apply for the in the cases of interruption of the research activity or researchers who have spent time in the procedure for obtaining the refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

• Complete applications: Only candidates whose applications meet all the requirements of the call may be accepted.

Application: ”la Caixa” fellowship application website

FAQ

Retaining programme:

• Postdoctorate Junior Leader – Retaining: 20 fellowships to carry out a postdoctoral research project at any university or research centre in Spain or Portugal.
• 3 years maximum duration
• Maximum amount: €320,100.
• Programme of training in multidisciplinary skills

Requirements:

Researchers of any nationality are eligible for the Retaining modality of the Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowships. To be eligible for admission, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Experience: Experience: have been awarded a PhD between two and seven years prior to the closing date of the call. The date of obtaining the PhD will be understood as the date the doctoral thesis is defended. Special deadlines apply for candidates with interrupted research careers.

  Candidates must have carried out research stays at a centre or university outside Spain (or outside Portugal for those joining a Portuguese centre), during their doctoral or postdoctoral studies, for a total of at least 6 months before the closing date of the call.

• Geographic mobility:For candidates interested in Spanish centres or universities: candidates must have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the three years immediately preceding the closing date of the call.

Special deadlines will apply for candidates with interrupted research careers and for those who've gone through the process to obtain refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

• Complete applications: Only candidates whose applications meet all the requirements of the call may be accepted.

Application: ”la Caixa” fellowship application website

FAQ