The Sparkle Fellowship programme is a Marie-Curie Actions 2 year post-doctoral programme, aiming to train future photonics research leaders. It is open to experienced researchers of any nationality, seeking a prestigious career in the field of photonics research and innovation. Fellows will be based at one of IPIC’s academic partners; Tyndall, UCC, MTU, TCD,DCU,NUIG, in Ireland, be aligned to one of the IPIC Research Areas and will have academic freedom to create a research proposal in collaboration with an IPIC Principal InvestigatorSparkle will provide Fellows with:• An advanced training programme in a cutting-edge research environment.• An expanded set of translational skills, including prototype development and fabrication, commercialisation, communication and dissemination, leadership, project and time management, detailed in your personal career development plan.• Enhanced innovative and entrepreneurial awareness skills through training on subjects such as market awareness, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and industry engagement.• A career-oriented 6-month industry secondment placement with either a global technology leader or rapidly growing SME.• Participation in IPIC’s comprehensive and diverse Education and Public Engagement (EPE) programme, to develop and apply dissemination skills with different audiences from students to the general public.If you are considering a career in either academia or industry this could be a great next step for you! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are interested in the programme and would like to find out more at sparkle@ipic.ie  The current open call deadline for applications is January 3rd 2022 and subsequent to that there is one closing March 31st 2022.