About PHYNEST – PHYNEST

Over four years, PHYNEST will support 25 PhD fellows through a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research and training environment. The programme is backed by five leading research centres and over 30 associated partners, offering world-class infrastructure, international secondments, and a rich curriculum that integrates scientific excellence with societal impact. PHYNEST aims to empower young researchers to become academic and entrepreneurial leaders in the transition to sustainable energy.

48-month full-time doctoral contracts (37,5 hours/week). The salary will be €1,875 per month (gross), plus a mobility allowance of €700 per month. Please note that the taxation applied to the mobility allowance may vary depending on the host institution.
Over 50 cutting-edge research topics across experimental, theoretical, and societal dimensions.
Access to top-tier research facilities and supervision by internationally renowned experts.
International secondments (3–6 months) at leading institutions and companies.
Excellent training programme including workshops, seasonal schools, retreats, and public engagement events.
Dedicated support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, including mentoring and bias mitigation.
Ethics and integrity training, overseen by PHYNEST and UAB Ethics Committees

PHYNEST offers a rich and diverse training programme designed to equip fellows with both scientific excellence and transferable skills, preparing them for successful careers in academia, industry, and beyond.

Scientific and Technical Training

Fellows will receive advanced training in topics such as renewable energy, energy storage and conversion, sustainable computing, climate change, and the historical and social dimensions of energy.
Access to cutting-edge infrastructure and specialized equipment at host institutions.
Hands-on experience with experimental and modelling techniques, progressing from basic to advanced levels.
Secondments (3-6 months) at partner laboratories and premises for intersectoral and interdisciplinary transfer of knowledge.

Transferable Skills Training

Workshops on entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights, communication, leadership, project management, and diversity and inclusion.
Courses offered by UAB Doctoral School and Language School.
Access to UAB’s Coursera MOOC platform with over 40 courses on science, technology, and personal development.

Network-Wide Events

Initial Orientation Workshop: A 5-day event introducing fellows to sustainability challenges and allowing them to present their PhD projects.
Winter and Summer Schools: Featuring high-profile scientific lectures, peer presentations, and transferable skills sessions.
Personal Development Retreat: An immersive event designed to foster creativity, reflection, cohesion among fellows and personal development beyond the lab.
Public Performance at CCCB: A unique public engagement activity where fellows will present aspects of their research in a cultural venue, such as the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB museum).

Where will PHYNEST fellows conduct their research?

Selected PhD candidates in the PHYNEST programme will be hosted at UAB or some of the most prestigious research institutions in Catalonia, Spain. Both UAB and these institutions, known as Implementing Partners, offer cutting-edge infrastructure, internationally recognized supervisors, and a vibrant scientific environment. Fellows will be enrolled in a PhD programme at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and will carry out their research in one of the following institutions: