Open Position Technology Transfer Technician at IFAE

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About the KNOWLEDGE & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER unit

The IFAE’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) unit supports the protection and valorization of research results to ultimately transfer it from the institute to the society by means of licensing and spin-off creation, among other KTT mechanisms. The KTT Unit manages a technological portfolio of more than 10 patent families. The Catalan Government’s Patent Fund (Ginjol) invested in six out of them. The IFAE’s intellectual property is mostly based on radiation & particle detector technologies for medical imaging, security and quality control applications, but we also develop new technologies in the fields of quantum computing, smart sensing devices and advanced microelectronics readout systems. The KTT Unit promotes the creation and growth of spin-off companies, as well as the entrepreneurship culture among researchers in collaboration with other R&D centers and business schools. 4 deep tech spin-offs have been incorporated up to date, 3 out of them being currently active, which employ more than 90 people and raised more than 13M€ in venture capital funds in the last 5 years, offering products and services in Europe and beyond.

What will your role be?

We are looking for a Technology Transfer Technician to support the Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) Unit by executing the following tasks:

• Scouting of novel R&D results and evaluation of its innovation & market potential.
• Provide advisory support to IFAE researchers in the preparation of national and international innovation project proposals, including technology valorization, business modelling and intellectual property rights (IPR) management, for submission to public/private funding agencies.
• Support in the process of protection of inventions, maintenance of IPR (patents, utility models, etc.) and intangible assets portfolio update.
• Promotion and exploitation of the IFAE’s portfolio of technologies. Business development and licensing of technologies.
• Reporting on KTT Unit KPIs to government authorities.
• Participation in local, regional and national Tech Transfer networks.
• Diffusion of training tools and programmes for researchers in regards to entrepreneurship culture and pre-acceleration.
• Support in the venture creation processes and spin-off growth based on research results.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

Candidate is expected to have:

• Education:
  • Degree in science or engineering (physics or similar).
• Knowledge:
  • Level of English to interact with international partners.
  • Knowledge on innovation, IPR management or entrepreneurship will be an asset.
  • Good knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) will be an asset.
• Professional Experience:
• Experience working in a research and/or KTT environment will be a plus.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• Educational background: 25 points
• Research and/or entrepreneurship knowledge: 25 points
• IPR and/or data analysis knowledge: 25 points
• Language skills (CAT, ES, EN): 25 points

Offered contract:

• Full-time Contract (40 h/week)
• Contract Indefinit Actividades Cientifico-Técnicas (ACT)
• The position will correspond to a Tècnic/a d’administració nivell 1
• Contract Period: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2029
• Probation Period: 6 months
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first-hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

Application and Selection Process:

Applications should be submitted to iesparbe@ifae.es and rrhh@ifae.es stating the job reference (2026-12_KTT-SO_Technology Transfer Technician) as the subject of the message. The mail should include their updated CV and arrange to have letters of reference. However, candidacies will be accepted until suitable candidates are identified. The selection will be based on the curriculum and experience of the candidate, the recommendation letters and the potential of the candidate to integrate well in the group. For further information please contact: Isaac Esparbé (iesparbe@ifae.es ) www.ifae.es IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply. In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position.

Funding Statement

Ayuda CEX2024-001441-S financiada por la Agencia Estatal de Investigación. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.