Address: Avenida Carl Friedrich Gauss, 3, Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia, 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
Photonics, Quantum Optics, Nanophotonics
ICFO is a research institute located near Barcelona, dedicated to the science and technology of light (photonics). It is a leading global center in this field, offering PhD programs and postdoctoral opportunities, and collaborating with universities for Master’s programs.
The Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, ICFO, is the Institute of Photonic Sciences, a research centre devoted to the science and technology of light. It was founded in 2002 by the Catalan government and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and it is based at the Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia in Castelldefels, a technology park about 20 kilometres from Barcelona. About 400 people work at ICFO, around 150 of them are doctoral students, and about 70 percent come from abroad.
ICFO is a research centre and not a university, but it runs a doctoral programme in photonics and takes part in a master’s degree in photonics together with the Barcelona universities. Research groups work on quantum science and technologies, nano-optics and nanophotonics, biomedical optics, ultrafast science, optical sensing and energy. Laboratories include cleanrooms, ultrafast laser systems and instruments for imaging cells and tissue. The institute has a Severo Ochoa accreditation as a centre of excellence.
ICFO research has led to start-ups in medical diagnostics, sensors, imaging and quantum technology. The centre has a knowledge and technology transfer unit and runs a programme to help researchers to turn results into products. Its groups have received numerous European Research Council grants, and the institute is part of the Graphene Flagship and of quantum technology initiatives in Europe.
Doctoral candidates are recruited through public calls and typically receive a salaried contract, and they register for their degree at the UPC. The institute also offers internships and a summer programme. Check the current calls, the requirements for the master’s degree in photonics and the conditions for non-EU candidates. English is the working language, and Spanish and Catalan are used in daily life.
Castelldefels is a coastal town near Barcelona, with beaches and a mild climate. The campus is reached by train and bus from the city, and most researchers live in Castelldefels or in Barcelona.
Domains taught:
Bioengineering, Computer Vision, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Signal Processing
Diplomas*:
Doctor, Master
Status:
Private
Partnerships:
Private foundation with public support. Extensive international collaborations with universities, research centers, and industry. Strong focus on technology transfer and spin-off creation.
Research:
Cutting-edge research in quantum optics, nanophotonics, optical sensing, biophotonics, medical optics, graphene photonics, and ultrafast science.
Famous Alumnis:
Lluis Torner
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
400
Current students***:
150
Foreign students***:
70%
Cumulative former students***:
300
Pros
World-renowned research institute in photonics, attracting top international talent. Excellent facilities and a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.
Cons
Primarily a research institute; degrees awarded through partner universities. Highly competitive.
Best For
PhD students and researchers aiming to be at the forefront of photonics research and its applications.
For students who like the nanotechnologies, optics and bioengineering focus of this institution but want another option nearby, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid fits well: it is public, whereas this institution is private, and does not run the master's programmes found here.
Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación follows much the same lines as this institution, with nanotechnologies, bioengineering and physics as common ground, and it teaches at the same levels, namely master's and doctoral, and covers astroscience and agriculture as well.
Instituto de Física Corpuscular overlaps with this institution on physics, mathematics and engineering, so the two are easy to compare, and it teaches at the same levels, namely master's and doctoral, and covers astroscience and data analytics as well.
Where this school leans on optics, signal processing and computer vision, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía does the same, and it covers astroscience and aerospace as well, and is smaller, enrolling about 80 students against roughly 150 here.
Instituto de Física de Altas Energías works in much the same fields, chiefly signal processing, physics and mathematics, and it teaches at the same levels, namely master's and doctoral, and covers astroscience and data analytics as well.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Institut d'Optique Graduate School offers an international parallel to this school, with nanotechnologies, optics and signal processing as common ground; it is far larger, with about 500 students against roughly 150 here, and is public, whereas this school is private.
In France, ESPCI Paris - PSL teaches much the same core subjects, nanotechnologies, optics and signal processing, and it covers bioinformatics and microbiology and genetics as well, and is larger, enrolling about 400 students against roughly 150 here.
Looking internationally, CSEM - Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique in Switzerland is where nanotechnologies, optics and signal processing get a comparable treatment; it is smaller, enrolling about 50 students against roughly 150 here, and is also a private institution.
For bioengineering, computer vision and physics outside the home country, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics in Switzerland is a natural reference; it is also a private institution, and teaches at the same levels, namely master's and doctoral.
For a study option in Argentina with a comparable spread of nanotechnologies, physics and materials, Balseiro Institute is the reference point: it also offers bachelor's programmes and covers telecommunications and robotics as well.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What is ICFO?
The Institute of Photonic Sciences, a research centre devoted to the science and technology of light.
Is it a university?
No. It is a research centre that runs a doctoral programme and takes part in a master's degree in photonics with Barcelona universities.
Where is it?
At Avenida Carl Friedrich Gauss 3 in the Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia in Castelldefels, near Barcelona.
When was it founded?
In 2002, by the Catalan government and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
How large is it?
About 400 staff and around 150 doctoral students, with about 70 percent from abroad.
What does it research?
Quantum science and technologies, nano-optics, biomedical optics, ultrafast science, optical sensing and energy.
Has it created start-ups?
Yes, in medical diagnostics, sensors, imaging and quantum technology.
How are doctoral candidates recruited?
Through public calls, typically with a salaried contract. They register for their degree at UPC. Check the current calls.
What language is used?
English is the working language.
How do you reach it from Barcelona?
By train and bus.
Biomedical Sensors, Innovation, Medical Devices, Photonics, Research and Development, Sustainability
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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