Job Information
- Organisation/Company: UNIVERSIDAD PUBLICA DE NAVARRA
- Department: Research Management Service
- Research Field: Engineering » Communication engineering; Engineering » Electronic engineering; Engineering » Electrical engineering; Physics » Applied physics; Physics » Optics
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 9 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
- Country: Spain
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours Per Week: 37.5
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA
- Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: [contact details available in the full listing]
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
UPNA (Public University of Navarra) offers 2 PhD positions to work in the MSCA Doctoral Network (DN) “SPARK” in the field of Signal Theory and Communications.
The goal of SPARK DN is to train a top-class cohort of 15 Doctoral Candidates, that will become the future R&D staff within the area of spatiotemporal metamaterials and light fields. We will create and consolidate links between strategic industry partners and leading academic partners including Eindhoven University of Technology (coordinator), Umeå University, INESC MN (Lisbon), Université de Namur, UPNA, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Imperial College London by means of common engagement in research and training courses. This will result in the new understanding of nature and creation of new photonic technologies based on spatiotemporal metamaterials and structured light.
Main supervisor: Iñigo Liberal Olleta
Position 1 is focused on studying the generalised symmetries governing the behaviour of spatiotemporal metamaterials and their connection with the manipulation of spatiotemporal fields using metasurfaces. Secondments in Eindhoven University of Technology (NL) and JCMwave (DE).
Position 2 is focused on developing a quantum-theoretical framework to describe light–matter interactions in spatiotemporal metamaterials, researching the generation of non-classical states of light, and exploring quantum phenomena associated with synthetic motion, vacuum effects and general relativity. Secondments in Umeå University (SE) and Menditech (ES).
What SPARK Offers:
- Gross salary €39.879/anual, with potential for additional funding depending on your family status.
- 3 years contract funded by the SPARK MSCA DN
- Industrial and international secondments
- Training program including research-specific and transferable skills courses.
- Active participation in workshops, conferences, and network-wide events to build professional and scientific connections.
- Stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.
Where to apply
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering » Communication engineering; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Engineering » Electronic engineering; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Physics » Applied physics; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Physics » Optics; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work, studies) in the host organisation’s country (Spain) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date (i.e. the start of the contract), in accordance with the mobility rules of the MSCA fellowships programme of the European Commission under which this project is funded.
Applicants must not have submitted their doctoral thesis for defence.
Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree.
Internal Application form(s) needed
- ANNEX 2-Applicaton_Form_0.pdf (English, 159.25 KB - PDF)
- ANNEX 3 -Merits summary Form-1.pdf (English, 269.71 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
A dynamic and stimulating research environment in the ISC of UPNA and the participation in the European research network SPARK.
Eligibility criteria
Full details in the call.
Selection process
Applications must be submitted exclusively by electronic means, via the procedure titled “Predoctoral contracts linked to MSCA Projects”, accessible through On-line Office UPNA call MSCA.
The documentation to be submitted are described in the call.
Website for additional job details
- https://www.unavarra.es/en/sites/investigacion/como-lo-hacemos/ayudas-y-convocatorias/personal-investigador.html
- https://www.unavarra.es/sede/electronic-board/research?contentId=290963&languageId=1
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 2
- Company/Institute: UPNA - UNIVERSIDAD PÚBLICA DE NAVARRA
- Country: Spain
- State/Province: NAVARRA
- City: PAMPLONA
- Postal Code: 31006
- Street: CAMPUS ARROSADIA
Contact
- State/Province: Navarra
- City: Pamplona
- Website: https://www.unavarra.es/portada; https://www.unavarra.es/en/sites/research-institutes/isc.html
- Street: Campus de Arrosadia, nº 6
- Postal Code: 31006
- E-Mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
