Job opportunities

Call for applications for the recruitment of a junior quantum systems and communications engineer

OF_IEEC_267_2026
Publication date
2026-10-09
Deadline
2026-10-30

The IEEC (Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority participation in the Board of Trustees of the IEEC.

Introduction

The purpose of this call is the selection process of a candidate to fill a junior engineer position assigned to the Research Area of the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC).

he project involves research and technological development activities in quantum communications applied to space systems and missions, including QKD scenarios.

Description of position

  • Positions to be filled: 1.Call for applications for the recruitment of a junior quantum systems and communications engineer.
  • Professional group: Group II. Engineering Staff.
  • Professional category: Junior Engineer.
  • Working hours: Part-time: 20 hours per week
  • Workplace location: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

Functions

The successful candidate will support research and technological development activities related to the design and analysis of space systems and missions, with a particular focus on quantum communications and QKD systems.

The selected candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Design and analysis of systems, architectures and mission concepts.
  • Definition and analysis of system requirements, functionalities and interfaces.
  • Modelling and simulation for the design and evaluation of solutions.
  • Support for the design and integration of quantum communications technologies into space systems.
  • Performance analysis and support for verification and validation activities.
  • Application and review of relevant standards, methodologies and technical documentation.

Participation requirements and selection criteria

The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:

  • ­Education: University degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics or a related STEM discipline.
  • Ability to carry out programming and scientific simulation tasks.
  • Ability to read and understand scientific and technical documentation in English.

The following aspects will be considered desirable merits (maximum 20 points):

  • ­Academic knowledge or experience in digital communications, networks or telecommunications systems. Up to 3 points
  • Academic knowledge or experience in cryptography, cybersecurity and/or secure communications. Up to 4 points
  • Academic knowledge or experience in quantum information, quantum communications or quantum cryptography. Up to 4 points
  • Experience in scientific programming, modelling or simulation using Python, MATLAB or equivalent tools. Up to 4 points
  • Academic knowledge or experience in satellite communications, space systems or communication channel modelling. Up to 3 points
  • Knowledge of English for reading, understanding and writing scientific and technical documentation. Up to 2 points

Selection procedure

Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation will be carried out and a first selection of candidates will be made based on the documents contributed. Next, if necessary, the shortlisted candidates may be called to a personal interview to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assess aspects related to professional competences.

The evaluation committee for this procedure will consist of:

  1. a) Principal Investigator of the IEEC MISIONES project
  2. b) Director of the Area for the Promotion of the Space Sector of Catalonia IEEC or their delegate
  3. c) Head of Knowledge Transfer Office at IEEC or their delegate

Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.

In compliance with the provisions of Article 59 of the TREBEP, concerning the reservation of no less than 7% of vacancies in public employment offers for persons with disabilities, the IEEC will apply this reservation to candidates who certify a disability of 33% or higher, provided that they are suitable for carrying out the functions of the position to be filled.

Contact and deadline

Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send cover letter and the personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, with a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously occupied, to the email address: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and Name – OF_IEEC_267_2026" in the subject line of the email.

The reception of applications ends on

30/10/2026
Applications that do not meet the requirements included in the cases provided for, or those which are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be considered.
In accordance with current regulations on the protection of personal data, we inform you that the personal data contained in your communication relating to this selection procedure will be incorporated into the database of which the IEEC is responsible. The purpose of this treatment is to manage your participation and, where appropriate, the selection of your professional profile in the recruitment processes carried out by the IEEC. Therefore, we will use your data to carry out the contracting processes, to carry out the corresponding interviews, to assess compliance with the requirements for the processes, as well as those actions necessary for the execution of the process and to make effective the recruitment of staff at the IEEC. The basis for the legitimacy of this treatment is your consent, which may be revoked at any time (which means that you will not be able to participate in the selection process in question). The data will be retained during the selection procedure. If you provide us with the data or resume but do not participate in any open recruitment process, do not specify any or have participated in a procedure and have not been selected as a candidate, the IEEC will keep the data for a maximum period of two years., from the date of receipt of the communication, in order to manage your potential participation if any appropriate procedure is opened, eg on your profile. Once this period has elapsed, if you have not been selected and incorporated into the staff of the entity, the IEEC will permanently cancel your personal data. Your personal data will not be transferred to any third party for any purpose, except in cases where it is required by law or by a competent authority. You may exercise, in accordance with the requirements established in current regulations, the rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition and limitation by sending your request in writing to the registered office of the IEEC (Esteve Terradas 1, RDIT Building, floor 2, Of. 212, 08860 Castelldefels) or by e-mail: protecciodedades@ieec.cat. The applicant must be duly identified in order to process the application. You also have the right to file a complaint with the Catalan Data Protection Authority by writing to C / Rosselló, 214, esc. A, 1r 1a, 08008 Barcelona or at its electronic headquarters (https://seu.apd.cat). You expressly authorize and consent to the processing of your personal data for the purposes mentioned and in accordance with the conditions indicated above.