PIXEurope Pilot Line Financial and Procurement Manager

ICFO is a leading research center in the field of photonics, dedicated to advancing the science and technology of light and its applications. Located in the Mediterranean Technology Park in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, ICFO is at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation in areas such as quantum technologies, biophotonics, clean tech, and photonic integrated circuits. ICFO employs 500 people, including researchers, PhD students and staff personnel. In its area of specialization and category, the institute is consistently ranked among the highest-quality research institutions worldwide. Our mission is to contribute to scientific knowledge, foster technology transfer, educate of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and promote the responsible engagement of science in society.

POSITION OVERVIEW

As part of the Strategic Initiative, ICFO coordinates PIXEurope, a flagship Pilot Line funded under the European Chips JU program. With €400 million in investments and a consortium of 20 partners across 11 countries, the project aims to reinforce Europe's strategic autonomy in photonic technologies and accelerate industrial uptake of cutting-edge integrated photonics. Over the next decade, PIXEurope will enable the transfer of advanced technologies to manufacturing environments, while fostering innovation and scalability across the European photonics ecosystem.

We are seeking a Financial and Procurement Manager to support the operational deployment of the PIXEurope Pilot Line. The selected candidate will lead and coordinate the financial and procurement activities of the project, with a focus on monitoring tender procedures, overseeing the procurement and delivery of key equipment, and ensuring accurate financial oversight across the distributed infrastructure.

This role requires proven post-award experience in publicly funded research projects, a strong command of European funding compliance, and excellent coordination skills across multi-partner environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Pilot Line Director and Administrative Executive in all finance and procurement-related operations.
• Monitor all phases of public procurement procedures, including tenders, orders, deliveries, and invoicing of strategic equipment.
• Coordinate the financial tracking of the project, ensuring timely submission of financial milestones, reports, and deliverables.
• Act as a point of contact for financial and administrative interactions with national and European funding authorities.
• Ensure alignment and compliance with the financial rules of the Chips JU and national co-financing entities (e.g., PRTR mechanisms in Spain).
• Liaise with ICFO's Financial Project Control Unit to ensure accuracy, eligibility, and internal consistency in financial reporting.
• Engage with financial and procurement counterparts across partner institutions to promote common procedures and shared procurement strategies.
• Monitor project budget execution and contribute to financial risk identification and mitigation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• A university degree in Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of experience managing the post-award phase of publicly funded research projects (e.g., H2020, Horizon Europe, or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of EU and national funding mechanisms, particularly those with complex co-funding structures.
• Hands-on experience with public procurement in the context of research infrastructure acquisition.
• Demonstrated ability to ensure regulatory and financial compliance.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken).
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills, with a service-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines autonomously.
• Proven capacity to navigate multi-stakeholder environments with efficiency and clarity.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Indefinite contract for scientific and technical activities pursuant to Spanish Law 14/2011, linked to the duration or availability of funds within the PIXEurope Pilot Line
• The opportunity to shape and influence the development of cutting-edge photonic infrastructure with global impact.
• A collaborative and interdisciplinary environment at the interface of academia, industry, and innovation.
• A competitive salary according to ICFO's internal scales and a family allowance, if applicable, in line with institutional policy.

This position will report to the Prof. Dr. Valerio Pruneri, Director of the European Chips JU Pilot Line PIXEurope, and support the Administrative Executive Officer of the PIXEurope Pilot Line, in close collaboration with ICFO's CFO and corresponding Finance, Projects Financial Control and Legal operational teams to ensure compliance with corresponding policy and regulations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and motivation for the position.

The call will remain open until June 30, 2025.

Selection will include a pre-screening of applicants based on eligibility and experience, followed by interviews with shortlisted candidates.

ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

For updated information about ICFO, please visit

For technical or scientific inquiries related to the position, please contact:

For questions about the application process, please contact:

This contract has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe under the Grant Agreement # , Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Civil Service, and is supported by funds from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR).