Ph.D. Quantum Information Theory Student Anubhav Kumar Srivastava from India Shares His Journey of Studying at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain

Hi, I am Anubhav Kumar Srivastava. I am an ENLIGHTEN MSCA Co-fund PhD fellow (2021 – 26) in the Quantum Optics Theory group at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain. I am from India and completed my BS-MS degree (2016 – 21) at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, India. My work focuses on quantum information theory, particularly in quantum metrology and sensing. I have always been fascinated by the tiny quantum world and understanding why the physics that we know breaks down at these quantum scales.

This led me to pursue my MS thesis and later my PhD in this direction at ICFO, which is a pioneering research institute in quantum research and photonics in Spain. It is located in a city called Castelldefels, which is half an hour away from Barcelona in Spain. The PhD program at ICFO is divided into two parts – the first six months are called the “trainee” period, where the student gets a temporary work contract and can choose to continue their PhD after a committee evaluation, if everything aligns well with the host group during this period. After this, the student gets a work contract for four years. In total, the duration of the PhD is about four and a half years. However, you always have the option to defend at any time before your contract expires.

ENLIGHTEN MSCA Co-fund Fellowship Details

Usually, four PhD calls open every year at ICFO, and there are different types of fellowships that are available in each call. Some of them are from the Spanish and Catalunya government, such as Severo Ochoa and FI-AGAUR, and some from the European Union, such as MSCA co-funds (Please check here https://jobs.icfo.eu). The candidates are automatically considered for the available PhD fellowships during the application process based on their profiles and interview rounds. I was offered the ENLIGHTEN MSCA Co-fund fellowship under the EU Horizon 2020 program, upon selection, based on my profile and panel interviews. There is also a provision to apply to the individual research groups separately if one has their own fellowship, such as La Caixa INPhINIT, or if the group has a grant through which they can hire. Further details about the eligibility criteria, perks, and benefits of different fellowships can be found at https://www.icfo.eu/studies/phd-program/phd-fellowship-programs.

Educational Background

I completed my BS-MS (dual) degree from IISER Mohali, India, with a major in Physics and a minor in Data Science. I had a CPI of 8.6/10.0 at the end of my five-year integrated degree. The coursework at IISER is very structured and focused on scientific research. You are exposed to different subjects and free to pursue research in one of them or in interdisciplinary topics. Every year, you have the option to pursue a summer internship for three months, which is really helpful in exploring different research topics and making good connections. In the final year, you have to work on a research project and submit a thesis. This exposure to a conducive research environment in the form of coursework, summer research internships, and MS thesis provides you with a strong background and base to further pursue research as your career.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Institute of Photonic Sciences?

The initial steps are to make a good CV and a cover letter for the PhD roles that you want to apply for, and contact the professors about any open positions in their groups. Regularly checking LinkedIn and other online pages helps in finding new and open positions. A clear understanding of your MS work and topic corroborates your background and research experience during interviews.

How Did You Find Information About ENLIGHTEN MSCA Co-fund, the Fellowship, and the Institute of Photonic Sciences?

Mostly through word-of-mouth, social media (LinkedIn, Facebook), Quantiki (for quantum-related positions), and other quantum mailing lists.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, TOEFL iBT. There are tonnes of study materials available online for preparation. There are books with practice questions from previous years and mock tests. They really help.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the ENLIGHTEN MSCA Co-fund Fellowship?

I was asked to prepare a two-page research proposal for the panel interview and present myself and my work for 7-8 minutes with follow-up questions. The questions were on my MS research project and a bit about my background and coursework.

How is (was) Your Experience at the Institute of Photonic Sciences?

ICFO is a phenomenal place for research and overall career development. You have a lot of resources at your disposal to work on your soft skills, technical skills, and exposure to science from all over the globe.

How Do You Rate the Institute of Photonic Sciences Academically and Why?

There are some of the best scientists from all over the world at ICFO working on amazing ideas and research topics. The interdisciplinary environment and research facilities are amazing. There is a constant exchange of ideas and research through international collaborations, conferences, scientific visits, lecture series, and outreach activities.

How Does the Institute of Photonic Sciences Support International Students?

The institute has several HR departments that facilitate a smooth transition to the city and the institute for people coming from outside of Spain. They are really helpful with the difficult bureaucratic and administrative procedures. You can be entitled to more benefits that are contract and fellowship-dependent. There are free language courses for Spanish and Catalan for international students offered by the institute.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or Spanish?

The communication within the institute is primarily in English since there is a significant international population.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Academically Not Knowing Spanish?

No.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Summer research internships, MS thesis work, and recommendation letters with a nicely structured CV and a well-written cover letter highlighting your background and research interests go a long way.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Nothing.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Keep applying, do not fear rejection, and keep building your profile through online courses, research projects, and publications. Writing to the professors with whom you would like to work also helps.