Institut de Física d'Altes Energies- IFAE

Severo Ochoa Excellence program
Through strategic actions we are reinforcing our leadership in fundamental physics and driving societal impact.
Particle Physics
Pushing the frontiers of knowledge by making precise measurements in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC.
High Energy Astrophysics
Addressing open questions through gamma-ray observations from the most energetic phenomena in the universe.
Observational Cosmology
Shedding light on the nature of the mysterious dark energy, responsible for the current accelerated expansion of the universe.
Neutrino Physics
Understanding the fundamental phenomena that produced the observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe.
Gravitational Waves
The beginning of a new era in the exploration of the universe.
Medical Imaging
Using our expertise with sophisticated radiation detectors to develop advanced medical imaging devices.
Quantum Computing Technologies
Achieving an advantage over conventional computers to solve problems which are ubiquitous in society.
From particles to the Cosmos
IFAE conducts experimental and theoretical research at the frontiers of fundamental physics.

Highlights

Highlight

The new LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Catalog sets new records in precision gravitational astronomy

May 26, 2026

The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration published today a new catalog of gravitational wave events. A total of 161 events, detected between April 2024 and the end of January 2025, have been added to the collection, bringing the total number of gravitational wave signals detected to date to 390. IFAE is a member of the Virgo and LIGO collaborations.

Circles of light on the night sky. A telescope dome atop a mountain is below the center of the circle.

Highlight

DESI Completes Planned 3D Map of the Universe and Continues Exploring

April 15, 2026

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument has completed its planned five-year mission, mapping more than 47 million galaxies and quasars to create the largest high-resolution 3D map of the universe to date, far exceeding its original target of 34 million objects. The project includes the participation of the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE).

Highlight

Eugenio Coccia awarded Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

April 14, 2026

The director of the Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE) receives one of Italy’s highest honours for his scientific and civic contributions

The IFAE Severo Ochoa Program

Latest news, milestones, open positions and highlights from the IFAE Severo Ochoa Excellence Program.

Title
Launch of the IFAE Severo Ochoa Visitor Program for Outstanding Researchers
Description
The IFAE Severo Ochoa Visitor Program supports international scientific collaboration by hosting outstanding researchers from leading institutions worldwide.
Date
Posted on: December 22, 2025

Title
Launch of the IFAE Severo Ochoa Excellence Post-Doctoral Positions 2025
Description
Up to 5 post-doctoral positions for outstanding candidates in gamma-ray astronomy, gravitational waves physics, theoretical particle and cosmology / gravitation, and flavour physics
Date
Posted on: November 7, 2025

Title
Launch of the IFAE Severo Ochoa Excellence PhD Fellowships 2025
Description
Up to 8 PhD fellowships for outstanding candidates in particle physics, astrophysics, quantum technologies, and more
Date
Posted on: September 20, 2025

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News

Recognition

IFAE Communication Unit recognised as a UCC+I by FECYT

May 28, 2026

IFAE’s Communication Unit has received provisional recognition from FECYT as an official Unit of Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+I), acknowledging its work in science communication, outreach and education, and the collaborative efforts of IFAE research groups in bringing science closer to society.

Project Milestone

Qilimanjaro contributes to new quantum computing milestone at BSC

May 28, 2026

Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, the spin-off of IFAE, BSC and UB has contributed to the deployment at BSC of a system constituted by a new 35-qubit quantum computer, along with another 20-qubit quantum computer for uninterrupted operation, with Manel Martínez acting as Project Leader within the Qilimanjaro-GMV consortium.

Project

IFAE participates in new European project supporting the Einstein Telescope’s transition to implementation

May 13, 2026

A new European project has been approved to support the transition of the Einstein Telescope (ET) towards its implementation phase, marking another important step in the development of Europe’s future third-generation gravitational-wave observatory.

Event

ET-PP INFRA-DEV Annual Meeting 2026 takes place in Barcelona

May 5, 2026

From 5 to 7 May 2026, the Einstein Telescope Preparatory Phase INFRA-DEV Annual Meeting is being held in Barcelona, hosted by the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies. The event takes place at the UPF Barcelona School of Management.

New Member

New member in the ATLAS group

April 29, 2026

Nadav Tamir joined the ATLAS group at IFAE as a postdoctoral researcher

Workshop

Einstein Telescope Vacuum and Cryogenics Industrial Workshop at CERN

April 22, 2026

CERN hosts an industrial workshop on vacuum and cryogenics challenges for the Einstein Telescope, with Mario Martínez delivering the opening talk.

Events

Education
MastercosmosBCN
Postgraduate Program in High Energy Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology
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Education
MMRES
Full-time one-year programme with highly flexible and personalised hands-on research training in a multidisciplinary research environment.
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Education
Master in Quantum Science & Technology
Aimed at graduates in Physics, Physical Engineering or equivalent degrees who want to continue specialization studies in Quantum Science and Technologies.
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