Open Position Call for Applications: Director of IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is seeking applicants for a new Director. IFAE is a consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) created in 1991. IFAE is a CERCA Center of Excellence whose mission is to perform cutting-edge research, theoretical and experimental, in high-energy physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology, going from particles to the cosmos, and, at the same time, to contribute to society by applying the acquired knowledge and insight in strategic sectors. CERCA is the public Catalan system of research institutes. IFAE is also a founding member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), which includes seven leading CERCA centers in Catalonia.

IFAE is located in the UAB campus near Barcelona. IFAE brings together ICREA research professors, UAB professors and its own scientific personnel to work in theoretical physics research lines in Standard Model, Beyond the Standard Model, and Astroparticle Physics and Cosmology, together with experimental research lines in Collider Physics (ATLAS), Neutrinos (T2K, HyperK), Gamma-Ray Astronomy (MAGIC, CTA), Gravitational Waves (Virgo, LIGO, ET), and Observational Cosmology (DES, PAU, DESI, Euclid, LSST). There are two applied research lines focused on Medical Imaging and Quantum Computing Technologies.

IFAE has a strong technical division playing a crucial role in all experiments. Our facilities include a microelectronics laboratory with state-of-the-art packaging and assembly technologies, clean rooms, a mechanical workshop, electronics labs, an optical room and a shielded room. Moreover IFAE manages, jointly with CIEMAT, PIC (Port d’Informació Científica), a large data-processing center, which is a Tier 1 of LHC and is recognized as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure, offering advanced data services to the broad scientific community, including many physics groups.

Candidate profile

Successful candidates will have an established record of scientific excellence, experience and capacity of team and research management, and the innovative thinking necessary to lead the Institute. They should preferably have managed international projects or consortia. In-depth knowledge of the European and Spanish scientific environments will be considered an asset. While English is the working language of the Institute, knowledge of Catalan or Spanish could be advantageous.

Job description

The Director will have the following duties:

• Provide the scientific vision and strategic goals for the Institute.
• Manage, organize and lead the research and innovation activities at IFAE.
• Guarantee financial sustainability and provide for sources of income (competitive funds, private sponsors, …).
• Submit the Institute’s research activities program to the Governing Board of the Consortium.
• Maintain close contact with CERCA in relation to the Institute’s progress and participate in the periodic evaluation of the Institute.
• Any other functions approved by the Consortium.

Applicants should send a CV and a cover letter by e-mail to the Director of CERCA at candidatures@cerca.cat by April 14th, 2026. Informal inquiries are welcome and may be sent to the same address. The appointment will initially be for a period of 4 years, and it can be subsequently extended through successive 4-year periods. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. IFAE is an equal-opportunity employer and particularly encourages women and those from underrepresented minorities to apply.

Selection procedure

The Selection Committee—comprising representatives from the Governing Board, the CERCA Institution, and the External Scientific Committee (ESC)—will be responsible for screening all applications and identifying a shortlist of suitable candidates based on the requirements of the call. This same committee will conduct interviews with the shortlisted candidates, during which they will be asked to present their CV and a vision statement for IFAE. Following the interviews, the Selection Committee will propose a ranked list of candidates to the Governing Board of the Consortium, which will then select and appoint the new IFAE Director.

Tentative Calendar

• February 23rd Call for applications
• April 14th Application deadline
• May 4th First meeting of selection committee – elaboration of the short list - interviews
• June 4th Ranked list of final candidates by the selection committee
• June 11th Appointment announced by the Governing Board