Postdoctoral Researcher in Mechanistic Chemistry (Burés Group, ICIQ)
The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is recruiting a
Postdoctoral Researcher
to join
Prof. Jordi Bures’ group
in Tarragona, Spain. This position is part of a collaboration between ICIQ and
AstraZeneca’s Global Chemical Development department
, with the postdoctoral researcher primarily based at ICIQ and occasional visits to AstraZeneca in Macclesfield when necessary.
The project focuses on
mechanistic studies
aimed at improving
synthetic methods
relevant to industrial processes. The successful candidate will contribute to research at the interface of
fundamental and applied chemistry
, with an emphasis on
physical organic chemistry
, reaction analysis, and method development that can support industrial chemical innovation.
ICIQ is an internationally recognized chemistry institute with research strengths in
Sustainable Catalysis, Renewable Energy, and Health
. The institute also provides a strong training environment for master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers.
Key duties include designing, running, and analysing
reaction mechanistic experiments
, producing planning documents and research reports, publishing results, and collaborating closely with AstraZeneca. The post offers a multidisciplinary, international working environment and the opportunity to develop skills that are valuable for careers in academia or industry.
Eligibility
: candidates must hold a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. A strong background in organic chemistry and/or catalysis is required, together with experience or familiarity with reaction-monitoring techniques such as
NMR, IR, HPLC, and GC
. Excellent English communication skills are essential, along with the ability to work independently and within a team. Preferred experience includes physical organic chemistry, strong publication output, conference presentations, and exposure to the pharmaceutical industry.
Funding and contract
: the position is fully funded by AstraZeneca and ICIQ. It is a
full-time 3-year contract
, with salary aligned to ICIQ’s policy within the
PIIP1–PIIP4 band (€28,560–€36,720)
, paid in 12 monthly instalments. The role starts as soon as possible, with the advertised start date of
1 October 2026
.
Application
: apply via the ICIQ careers portal using the provided job posting link. The selection process includes pre-selection based on CV and expertise, followed by interview for shortlisted candidates and then a formal offer letter for the successful applicant.