Institutional Information and Organization
1. Description of ICIQ – Mission and Functions
The Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ-CERCA) is a foundation created in 2000 by the Government of Catalonia and is governed by its statutes, the latest version of which was approved by the ICIQ Board of Trustees and registered with the Foundation Protectorate on February 25, 2015, with subsequent modifications registered on March 31, 2021. The Institute began its research activities in 2004.
ICIQ aims to identify and promote research and innovation in the field of chemical sciences, fostering close interaction between basic research, applied research, and the market to achieve excellence in these fields and become a global reference center.
The mission of the Foundation is to achieve scientific and technological excellence at the highest level in the aforementioned field. All human and material resources, initiatives, and activities developed by the Foundation are directed towards fulfilling this mission and these goals.
In particular, the Institute’s specific goals include the training of the next generation of scientists through high-quality educational and training programs for master’s students and pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. It also includes the transfer of knowledge and technology developed at the Institute to develop market-oriented products and services in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy industries, as well as to other companies or spin-offs. The promotion and dissemination of knowledge and research generated at the Institute, with special emphasis on the educational community (students and professors) and society in general, highlights the positive impact of chemistry research in areas such as sustainability, energy, health, and climate change.
The Institute publishes an Annual Scientific Report detailing the scientific progress of different research groups and milestones in research, including indicators such as the number of scientific publications, defended doctoral theses, knowledge transfer, industrial applications, developed projects, and training programs conducted, as well as various dissemination activities. The results of research activities and competitive resource acquisition are also reported.
Additionally, an Annual Activity Report is produced, which covers all activities carried out by the Institute throughout the year and changes compared to the previous year. It details research results, training activities, knowledge transfer, and dissemination activities, as well as the results of resource acquisition.
2. Organizational Structure – Description of Governance and Management Bodies
ICIQ is governed by the following bodies: the Board of Trustees, the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), and the Director.
The Board of Trustees
It is the highest body regarding administration, representation, and governance of the ICIQ Foundation. It is chaired by the Minister of Research and Universities, the Honorable Mr. Joaquim Nadal i Farreras, while the Rector of the Rovira i Virgili University, Dr. Josep Pallarès Marzal, is the vice-president. The complete list of Board members can be found in the following document.
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
The SAB is the body responsible for advising the director on the scientific policy of the Foundation, as well as recruiting and periodically evaluating its activities. It ensures that ICIQ’s scientific management meets international standards. The full list of SAB members can be found in the following document.
Director
The Director of ICIQ is appointed by the Board of Trustees and is the highest executive responsible for the Institute. Following the advice of other governing bodies, the Director defines the strategy and research lines of ICIQ. Together with the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), they are responsible for the selection and periodic evaluation of the principal investigators at ICIQ. The Director is also responsible for ICIQ’s institutional relations.
3. Organizational Chart
According to the organizational chart, ICIQ is structured into two main areas: Research and Management.
4. Personnel
In 2022, a total of 443 people worked at ICIQ. Of these, 309 were counted as full-time equivalents (FTEs). The distribution by job categories, gender, and origin is shown in the 2022 personnel table document.
The 2022 staff questionnaire details the personnel at ICIQ as of December 31, 2022, based on their qualifications and type of contractual relationship with the Institute. ICIQ does not have staff assigned permanently from private companies.
5. Staff Calls
The Catalan Institute of Chemical Research Foundation has various programs for the incorporation of scientific staff at different stages of their research careers.
Labor personnel calls for management and research support staff are published at Careers.
Below are the available positions at the center:
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