Junior Group Leaders

With this call, we are opening a career pathway for outstanding early-career scientists ready to establish their own independent research line. Successful candidates will lead their own junior group at nanoGUNE, with scientific independence and access to our state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

Research areas

We welcome applications across the full breadth of two broad areas:

• Quantum Nanoscience: including, but not limited to, quantum materials, quantum transport, quantum optics and photonics, quantum sensing, superconducting and spin-based devices, low-dimensional and topological systems, and quantum hardware.
• Nanomedicine: including, but not limited to, nanobiotechnology, biomolecular engineering, nanoscale biophysics, biomaterials, diagnostics, and bio-inspired nanosystems.

Proposals that are original, ambitious, and complementary to nanoGUNE's existing activity are particularly encouraged. We will especially value research programs that exploit our experimental infrastructure, including our 300 m² cleanroom for nanofabrication, 15 ultra-low-noise laboratories, and shared platforms for electron microscopy, nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy, thin-film growth and nanodevice characterization.

What we offer

• A 4-year appointment as Junior Group Leader.
• Funding for one postdoctoral researcher, recruited by and working under the supervision of the Junior Group Leader.
• Consumables and travel funds sufficient to run the proposed program while the Junior Group Leader secures their own external research funding.
• Access to nanoGUNE's research infrastructure.
• Scientific independence in defining the research program, publishing, and building the team.
• Support from the center's project management and grant office for national and European funding applications.
• An international and competitive research environment, state-of-the-art equipment, and the opportunity to perform research at the highest level.

Career perspective

During the appointment, Junior Group Leaders are expected to conduct ambitious frontier research and to pursue external funding opportunities. Selected candidates will be expected to apply to the next available Ikerbasque Research Fellows call and to pursue competitive research grants such as the ERC Starting Grant. Junior Group Leaders who establish a successful independent research line at nanoGUNE may subsequently have the opportunity to access a permanent research position, in coordination with the Ikerbasque program for the consolidation of research talent in the Basque Country.

The candidates

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline, and must be within the eligibility window for an ERC Starting Grant at the application deadline. Extensions to this eligibility window for parental leave, long-term illness, and other circumstances recognized under ERC rules will be taken into account.

We are looking for candidates with:

• An excellent postdoctoral track record, including publications at the highest level.
• Demonstrated scientific independence and international research experience.
• An original research proposal that builds on nanoGUNE's infrastructure and existing knowledge base.
• The ambition and capacity to build and lead a research team and to compete successfully for external funding.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Spanish or Basque is not required.

How to apply

Candidates should apply by completing the online form and attaching the following documents:

1. A complete CV, including a full publication list and a brief statement describing the candidate's contribution to up to five key publications.
2. A research proposal of a maximum of 4 pages, describing the objectives, methodology, required resources, and a 4-year work plan.
3. A cover letter and two recommendation letters grouped in a single PDF file.

The application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to nanoGUNE for a seminar and interview.

We promote teamwork in a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome all kinds of applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from women.

Requirements

Research Field: All
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Languages: ENGLISH — Excellent

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 2
Company/Institute: Asociación CIC nanoGUNE
Avenida Tolosa 76, Donostia-San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, 20018, Spain