ICFO is coordinating the PIXEurope Pilot Line, a flagship initiative under the European Chips JU framework focused on Advanced Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). PIXEurope is a distributed Pilot Line involving 20 partners from across Europe, combining expertise in a broad range of materials, technologies, and applications to drive innovation and industrial uptake of PIC-based solutions.

To support the coordination and technical execution of this ambitious initiative, ICFO is seeking a Technology and Operation Manager with a strong background in PIC technologies and experience in R&D&E environments with industrial collaboration.

Position Overview:

The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in the setup, operation, and technical coordination of PIXEurope Pilot Line, ensuring the project’s smooth execution and alignment with strategic and technological goals. This position is ideal for a seasoned scientist or engineer passionate about translating research into industrial innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:


- Support the Pilot Line Director in the coordination and strategic oversight of PIXEurope’s development, operations, and open-access implementation.
- Manage and monitor the timing and progress of technical and scientific work packages across the consortium.
- Collaborate with other managers, such as the Pilot Line Open Access Manager and Pilot Line Exploitation and
- Innovation Manager, to establish and strengthen the open access and innovation ecosystem for end-users and stakeholders.
- Participate in the technical evaluation of access proposals, ensuring alignment with the Pilot Line’s capabilities and industrial relevance.
- Contribute to project reporting and documentation for technical, scientific, and administrative activities, including deliverables to funding authorities.

This position is hosted by the Optoelectronics group, led by Prof. Dr. Valerio Pruneri, which focuses on the development of next-generation photonic systems, with strong emphasis on innovation, application-driven research, and technology transfer.

This contract has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under the Grant Agreement # 101213744, 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).