ICFONEST

ICFONest International Postdoctoral Program

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The ICFONest Post-doctoral program aims to provide high-level training and support for 14 outstanding international researchers in the early stages of their careers, working in the field of Photonics. ICFO will provide cutting edge facilities as well as a stimulating, international and interdisciplinary environment to help Fellows become successful independent researchers. ICFO currently hosts 20 research groups working in 50 different laboratories. Available to them are a nanofabrication cleanroom and a range of other support facilities. All research groups and facilities are located in a dedicated 10.000 m2 -building situated in the Mediterranean Technology Park in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. Currently, ICFO counts about 200 researchers, a number that is continuously growing. By 2014, when ICFO completes its ongoing expansion phase, the Institute will count more than 300 researchers working in 25 different research groups. Research at ICFO encompasses four broad thematic areas: nonlinear photonics, quantum photonics, nanophotonics, and biophotonics. Researchers work in a great variety of fields, including quantum information technologies, nanophotonic devices, remote sensors, optoelectronics, integrated optics, ultrafast optics, biophotonics, and biomedical optics. Projects are run as part of both medium- and long-term programs. The ICFONest COFUND program will run for four years and during this time it will support rising top-class researchers with excellent facilities, competitive salaries, research expenses and support from Group Leaders. During the period, the program will award 14 outstanding post-doctorate researchers with INCOMING Fellowships. ICFO will also offer specialised business courses and complementary training programs as well as a wide range of events, seminars and colloquia involving world-renowned scientists.'

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Photonics is increasingly important in Europe since it is driving innovation in many areas. However, newly qualified PhD students and researchers in this field need to gain experience to complete their training.

With this in mind, the 'ICFONest International Postdoctoral Program' (ICFONest) project, supported by the EU, was established. The programme is open to outstanding researchers working in the field of photonics in the early stages of their careers. ICFONest has also been partially co-funded by the Severo Ochoa Program and has received philanthropic support from Fundacio Privada Cellex Barcelona.

Through the project, young researchers are given access to cutting-edge facilities, competitive salaries, research expenses and other support. Such high-level training will help them to become successful independent researchers.

At the beginning of ICFONEST, a http://www.nestpostdocs.icfo.es (website) was created to advertise the programme, attract applicants and disseminate information. Visitors were able to download information about the programme and application process.

The project also promoted the programme internationally and calls for applications were published online. A total of 269 applications were received and the project awarded 14 post-doctorate researchers with two-year fellowships.

Since the fellows and their research projects are integrated into the ongoing research activities of a pre-existing research group, advanced scientific training through research has also been provided. Throughout the programme, the fellows in the ICFONEST project were also given opportunities to develop their non-scientific skills.

In future work, the project will continue to support its current post-doctoral fellows. In addition, it will pursue its specialised business courses and complementary training programmes, as well as organise a wide range of scientific events.