Group Leader (Ref: Gl 2024-02)

20 years leading frontier research and scientific career development   The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia stands as a forefront research centre dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge, with a commitment to addressing social and economic challenges, such as climate change, sustainable raw material supply and energy sources.
Distinguished with two Severo Ochoa excellence accreditations, ICIQ is globally recognized as a benchmark in cutting-edge chemical research.
Our Institute comprises 316 researchers, organized into 18 research groups that specialize in sustainable catalysis, renewable energies, and health.
Excellence is propelled through the seamless integration of computational and experimental research methodologies.
ICIQ researchers have achieved significant success, securing 25 projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC Grants).
Additionally, 8 of our researchers hold ICREA professorships, solidifying ICIQ's position as a premier centre attracting international talent.
Situated in Tarragona, at the heart of Southern Europe's major petrochemical complex, ICIQ actively collaborates with the industry, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and driving the development of innovative applications, with a distinct emphasis on patents and spin-offs.
A cornerstone of our mission is the training of the next generation of scientists through high-level education programmes.
As a CERCA centre and member of BIST, ICIQ is committed to shaping the future of chemical research as a driving force for contributing to a sustainable and equitable development.
For further information, please visit www.iciq.es 2024.
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The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) seeks a Group Leader to lead a new research group.
ICIQ is one of the world's internationally recognised leading institutions in the field of chemistry, and it is committed to solving significant social and economic challenges by conducting top-quality research in three main areas: Sustainable catalysis, renewable energy, and health.
The institute also aims to train future scientists by offering high-quality educational programs to master, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (complete details on http://www.iciq.org/ ).
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 institutional's 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.
Candidate's 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 solar-energy 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 nanocrystals-bio materials, etc, will also be considered.
The candidate must show expertise and know-how 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/white-light detection and broad-band excitation and detection), time-resolved fluorescence measurements with a Streak camera detector, and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy.
Applying these methods is expected to provide new insights into fundamental processes such as light-activated 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 home-written 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 time-resolved methods with steady-state 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 high-impact 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 master's 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 full-time 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 (state-of-the-art instrumentation facilities, solvents and gases and management and administrative support).
Incorporation: 16/12/ 2024 OTM-R principles in the selection processes ICIQ follows the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) 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 non-discrimination policy based on age, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language and disability.
ICIQ is committed to promoting a work-life balance for its employees and, as such, offers flexible working hours.
Selection Process ICIQ's selection process usually entails the following phases: Pre-selection: The process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected in the candidates' CVs.
This phase is merit-based.
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)