PhD position in molecular light-matter interactions
Duration: 4 years
Gross salary: 17.7k€/year
Location: Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Barcelona (Spain)
Funding: Graduate fellowship (“FPI”-type) within the research grant “New light-matter interactions in Chemistry: from polaritons to chirality (NewLightChem)”, reference PID2024-159213NA-I00, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU).
We offer a 4-year PhD position in the group of Dr. Clàudia Climent [Google Scholar] at the University of Barcelona to work in the field of molecular light-matter interactions. The group’s research interests span a range of topics including molecular polaritonics, photophysics, plasmonics, and chiralityrelated phenomena.
Light-matter interactions play a central role in Chemistry, either triggering chemical transformations or as a means to interrogate the molecular structure. The NewLightChem project aims to develop theories and new concepts to provide a fundamental understanding in two distinct research areas: molecular polaritonics and chiral light-matter interactions. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work in different research lines depending on their background and interests.
Applicants must hold a BSc degree in Physics or Chemistry, and a MSc degree in a related field. A strong background in theoretical chemistry and/or physics is required. Knowledge in quantum chemistry/physics/optics, light-matter interactions, electronic structure, chemical dynamics, open quantum systems, or chirality/spin-related phenomena, and strong analytical, mathematical, computational, or programming skills will be highly valued. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.
The tentative starting date is Spring 2026. The selected candidate will join the Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (IQTC-UB) at the University of Barcelona, an interdisciplinary research institute which has been recognized as a “María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence” by the Spanish Research Agency.
Further Information on the call can be found at https://www.ub.edu/beques/3rcicle/FPI/convocatoria.html (Convocatòria FPI 2025) in the “Annex I Anglès” link.
Applications should be submitted through https://www.ub.edu/beques/3rcicle/FPI/sol_licitud.html
The deadline for the applications is October 14 2025.
Interested candidates should first contact Dr. Clàudia Climent (claudiacliment@ub.edu). Please send an email (subject line: “FPI 2025 application NewLightChem”) including a motivation letter, a short CV, and contact details for two references.