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IFAE Tech Stack

Fundamental physics research institute with detector technology commercialization focus

Research Services Bellaterra, Barcelona 51–200 employees Founded 1991 Educational

IFAE is a 51–200-person research institute founded in 1991, conducting experimental and theoretical work across particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. The tech stack—CAD tools (Solidworks, Cadence), hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog), and Python—reflects a dual-track operation: large-scale physics collaboration (ATLAS, T2K, MAGIC, Dark Energy Survey) and active detector development for medical imaging and industrial applications. Hiring velocity is accelerating with research roles dominating the active pipeline, alongside a notable concentration of mid- and senior-level positions, suggesting structured growth in both experimental capacity and technical IP development.

Tech Stack 14 technologies

Core StackSAP Python Linux Solidworks PSPICE ORCAD Cadence VHDL Verilog LSST Raspberry Pi Xilinx Excel C/C++

What IFAE Is Building

Challenges

  • Financial sustainability
  • Commercializing research
  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Managing eu research grants
  • Reducing stray light sensitivity
  • Improving detector sensitivity
  • Administrative and financial management of research grants
  • Audit compliance for research funding
  • Tracking grant progress
  • Budget planning

Active Projects

  • Inner tracker pixel detector
  • Develop radiation detectors for medical applications
  • Equalities plan
  • Virgo collaboration
  • Construction of new baffles instrumented with photo sensors
  • Detector property evaluation and image processing
  • Depleted monolithic active pixel sensors r&d
  • Design of stray light control systems
  • Venture creation processes and spin-off growth
  • Salary audit

Hiring Activity

Accelerating40 roles · 20 in 30d

Department

Research
28
Engineering
6
HR
2
Finance
1

Seniority

Mid
11
Senior
11
Junior
10
Intern
3
Director
1
Manager
1

Notable leadership hires: Director

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About IFAE

IFAE conducts experimental and theoretical research in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology from its base in Bellaterra, Barcelona. The institute participates in major international collaborations including the ATLAS detector at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, the T2K neutrino experiment in Japan, the MAGIC telescopes in La Palma, and the Dark Energy Survey in Chile. A core operational focus is detector technology—pixel detectors for high-energy physics, telescope cameras, and radiation detectors for medical imaging. The organization also manages venture creation and spin-off growth initiatives, reflecting efforts to commercialize research outputs. EU research grant management and financial sustainability are material operational concerns.

HeadquartersBellaterra, Barcelona
Company Size51–200 employees
Founded1991
Hiring MarketsSpain

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IFAE's tech stack?

IFAE uses CAD and circuit design tools (Solidworks, Cadence, PSPICE, ORCAD), hardware description languages (VHDL, Verilog), Python, C/C++, Linux, and LSST software. Engineering work also employs Xilinx FPGA platforms and Raspberry Pi prototyping.

What projects is IFAE working on?

Current projects include inner tracker pixel detector development, radiation detectors for medical applications, depleted monolithic active pixel sensor R&D, stray light control systems, and detector property evaluation. IFAE also manages venture creation and spin-off growth initiatives.

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