FPI-ICIQ Fellowships for PhD Researchers 2026 in Spain

This fellowship programme supports outstanding postgraduate students from around the world in pursuing a Doctoral Thesis in Chemistry or related fields. The research will be part of a project funded under the 2025 Call of Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, la Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and the Fondo Social Europeo (FSE+).

The programme runs at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Spain and provides full training and research support so that graduates can build strong careers in academia or industry. You can check out more Internships, BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Benefits:

• Perform an individual research project under a world-class Group Leader in a dynamic and inspiring scientific environment.
• Complete a tailored complementary training programme in technical and soft skills through ICIQ’s SHARP (Severo Ochoa PhD Training Program).
• This two-week intensive programme each academic year focuses on the specific needs of each PhD year and covers topics such as scientific seminars, hands-on use of advanced instruments, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills, and career development.
• Gain opportunities for short research stays at prestigious international institutions.

Fellowship Conditions:

The successful recipients will receive a full pre-doctoral contract under Spanish Law 14/2011. The contract runs for up to 48 months and is renewed annually based on satisfactory progress.

The gross annual salary (currently 25,456.10 euros, subject to possible adjustments) is paid in 12 monthly installments. The fellowship covers:

• Full salary and social security contributions.
• Enrolment fees for the PhD programme (up to 4 years).
• Fully funded short stays at other institutions, companies, or universities abroad.
• Full access to the Spanish public health system and pension benefits.

You will work full-time at ICIQ and cannot hold any other fellowship or regular income during the period. A temporary interruption is allowed in the situations specified by law.

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Who Can Apply:

The programme welcomes graduate students of any nationality who meet the following requirements:

• Hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines that allows admission to a Spanish PhD programme by the time the fellowship begins.
• Have an excellent academic record and a strong commitment to scientific research.
• Show a solid working knowledge of English (preferably demonstrated by a B2-level certificate such as First Certificate, IELTS 6, or equivalent; applicants from the Anglosphere countries are exempt).

When in doubt, please contact ICIQ’s HR Unit at [email protected] before applying.

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Application Timeline:

• Call Opening: 20 July 2026
• Call Deadline: 20 September 2026
• Evaluation and Selection: 21 September to 1 November 2026
• Notification to Candidates: Mid November 2026

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Available Positions:

See the full list below.

• Supervisor: Prof. Antonio M. Echavarren Pablos
  Project: Superelectrophilic Gold Carbenes: Synthesis and Synthetic Applications (CARBENGOLD)
  Project Reference: PID2025-167953NB-I00
  Positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-02 AE
  
• Supervisor: Prof. Antoni Llobet Dalmases
  Project: Molecules and Hybrid Molecular Materials for Sustainable Electrocatalytic Energy Applications (Molenergy)
  Project Reference: PID2025-168560OB-I00
  Positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-03 ALL
  
• Supervisor: Prof. Emilio J. Palomares Gil and Dra. Eugenia Martínez Ferrero
  Project: Self-assembled molecules for efficient solar cells to power CO2 electro-reduction catalysts (SELFCO2)
  Project Reference: PID2025-168671NB-I00
  Positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-04 EP/EMF
  
• Supervisor: Prof. Julio Lloret Fillol
  Project: Renewable Electrosynthesis of Fine Intermediates and New Energy-carriers: From Mechanisms to Solar Devices (REFINE)
  Project Reference: PID2025-168677OB-I00
  Positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-05 JLL
  
• Supervisor: Prof. Marcos García Suero
  Project: Stereoselective late-stage construction of chiral centers with a catalytic carbyne transfer platform (LATE-CHIRAL)
  Project Reference: PID2025-168668NB-I00
  Positions: 1
  Reference: FPI-ICIQ 2026-06 MG

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Application Process:

All applications must be submitted online through ICIQ’s Career Portal. No applications sent by email or other means will be accepted.

Candidates should apply to one project and may include a Second Option. Applicants who wish to apply to only one position can simply waive the second option.

After completing the online form, upload the following documents (all in PDF format):

• A full Curriculum Vitae, including academic background, research experience, publications, conferences, grants, awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, and other relevant merits.
• A personal statement (maximum two DIN A4 pages) describing your academic background, research experience, career goals, the research group you prefer at ICIQ, and the specific reasons you are interested in that project.
• Official transcripts of your BSc and MSc studies (with certified academic record). For non-Catalan, Spanish, or English records, provide a certified English translation. Foreign degrees must include the full mark scale and minimum passing grade, plus ECTS and subject marks.
• Contact details for two referees (university professors, industry researchers, or others who can assess your research potential). ICIQ will contact them only for shortlisted candidates.
• Proof of English proficiency (B2 certificate, IELTS 6, or equivalent preferred). Anglosphere applicants are exempt.

You will receive an automatic acknowledgement email after a successful submission. Make sure all documents are complete before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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