Momentum for European Research Career at ICIQ (Ref. Postdoc MERCI 2026-01/04)

MERCI is a postdoctoral innovative co-funded programme (Choose Europe) that aims to recruit four highly talented and autonomous postdoctoral researchers who will be integrated within the European R&D&I system, reaching the R3 level during their employment at ICIQ. This level is required for them to be able to become a ‘Group Leader’ at the centre or at related research centres and universities, with the possibility to keep connected to ICIQ as ‘Associated Researcher’.

By joining ICIQ through MERCI, researchers will follow a clear career development path, including:

• Close mentoring by an internationally renowned Group Leader.

• Progress monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

• Personalised Career Development Plan (CDP) and research career support.

Fellows will also be able to explore interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility through secondments. ICIQ has active participation in international networks and platforms, as well as working collaborations, and more than 20 research and industry actors have already shown interest in hosting secondments.

The programme offers four five-year positions, each mentored by an internationally renowned Group Leader at ICIQ. Each position is divided into two phases (Phase 1: 3 years and Phase 2: 2 years) and includes both an intermediate and a final evaluation by ICIQ’s SAB (Scientific Advisory Board).

Postdoctoral candidates will be given freedom to choose their mentor and propose a research project within the three main research areas of the centre, aligned in a complementary way with the group’s framework research lines.

✨ Environment: A vibrant and international research atmosphere with 19 research groups.

📈 Development: A personalised Career Development Plan following the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers.

📖 Training: A tailored Training Programme and Networking opportunities in an international environment.

🔬 Equipment: Access to excellent scientific equipment, facilities and secondments in international institutions.

Eligibility Criteria

🌍 Mobility rule

Researchers of any nationality are eligible to apply, however applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline

🎓 Doctoral degree

Researchers must be in possession of a doctoral degree at the call deadline.

🏢 Employment status

Researchers should not be permanently employed by ICIQ at the call deadline.

⭐ Experience

Researchers must have between 2 and 10 years of postdoctoral experience at the call deadline.

Working Conditions

💼 Contract

Full-time employment contract of 36 months (Phase 1) and 24 additional months (Phase 2). Fellows will be affiliated to the Spanish Social Security General Regime, which includes standard health and accident insurance, maternity and paternity leaves, pension and unemployment benefits.

💰 Salary

• Phase 1: average gross salary (including living, mobility allowances) of 60,000 €/year, funded by the EU.

• Phase 2: average gross salary (including living, mobility allowances) of 50,000 €/year, funded by ICIQ.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family allowance

Included, when applicable, €100/month as supplementary remuneration for family support. Any changes in family situation during the project will result in a corresponding salary adjustment from the date of status change.

🧪 Research support

A budget of €400/month for research expenses (consumables, reagents and materials, etc.) and additional support for the salary of a co-supervised PhD student between the fellow and the mentor.

🎁 Welcome stipend

A unique starting allowance of €1,800 to be included in the salary at the beginning to settle down in Tarragona.

🧭 Training and networking

€350/month to cover specific training courses, attendance at conferences worldwide, secondment costs and dissemination costs.

Selection Process

Only one application per candidate may be submitted. Applications must include:

📝 Application details

• CV and research summary (max. 5 pages) following the template

• Research proposal (max. 6 pages) following the template

• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)

• Copy of the PhD title

• Supporting documents to prove at least 2 years of postdoctoral experience

• Ethical self-assessment questionnaire

• Preferred hosting group (mentor) by priority (max. 2 preferences)

• Information of at least two reference contacts

• Statement to comply with the mobility rule

• Agreement to personal data treatment

📚 Guide for applicants

Check our guide for applicants for more information.

Only completed applications will be considered for evaluation. Once the application documents are submitted, candidates will receive an automatic acknowledgement of receipt.

For more information on the MERCI programme, including how to apply and access the guidelines and templates needed to prepare an application, please visit the MERCI website.

MERCI - Momentum for European Research Career at ICIQ - ICIQ

This Project has received funding from the European Union (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101313516)

This project has received funding from the Spanish State Research Agency/Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the “Severo Ochoa” Centres of Excellence Programme 2024 (CEX2024-001469-S, MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)