Associate Professor Positions at UMU 2026: requirements, fees and deadlines for Ramón y Cajal researchers

Key data

Ramón y Cajal researchers with I3 or R3 accreditation now have a direct access window to a permanent Associate Professor position at the University of Murcia. The call, published in the BOE on 2 November 2026, activates an agile procedure but with a very tight deadline: 15 business days to submit the application before the process closes.

The resolution is based on the Organic Law 2/2023 of the University System (LOSU) and Royal Decree 678/2023, which regulate access to university teaching staff positions. Each position is processed as an independent procedure and selection committees must respect the principle of balanced gender composition.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution calls for a competitive examination for access to Associate Professor positions at the University of Murcia. Access is restricted to a very specific profile: doctoral researchers who are beneficiaries of the Ramón y Cajal Programme and who certify having passed the I3 evaluation or hold the R3 certificate.

The key procedural aspects are as follows:

The call is not open to the general public or to researchers with other accreditations: the access filter is exclusively the link to the Ramón y Cajal Programme with I3 evaluation or the R3 certificate in force.

Economic and operational impact

For the researcher, the direct cost of participating in the process is 48.61 € for examination rights. This amount is fixed and equal for all candidates, with the sole exception of persons with recognized disability equal to or greater than 33%, who are exempt from payment.

The real economic impact is not in the fee, but in the opportunity: accessing the Associate Professor position means consolidating a research career with a permanent position, job stability and access to the salary supplements associated with this position. For the University of Murcia, each position resolved through this channel incorporates a high-profile researcher already positively evaluated by external agencies.

From an operational perspective, the process is entirely online through CONVOCUM PDI, which eliminates travel and in-person procedures. However, the 15 business day deadline is the main operational risk: anyone who does not submit the application on time loses the opportunity to compete in this call.

Who does it affect?

• Doctoral researchers beneficiaries of the Ramón y Cajal Programme who have passed the I3 evaluation or hold the R3 certificate and are linked to the University of Murcia or wish to join it.
• Departments and research groups at the University of Murcia that have positions called in this resolution and must participate in the constitution or operation of selection committees.
• Persons with disability equal to or greater than 33% who meet the access requirements, as they have total exemption from the 48.61 € fee.
• HR managers and personnel administration at the University of Murcia, responsible for processing files through CONVOCUM PDI and ensuring balanced gender composition of committees.

Practical example

A doctoral researcher who in 2022 obtained a Ramón y Cajal contract at the University of Murcia and in 2025 successfully passed the I3 evaluation before the State Research Agency can apply for this call. Her process would be as follows:

1. She accesses the CONVOCUM PDI platform before the 15 business day deadline expires from 2 November 2026.
2. She pays the 48.61 € for examination rights (or certifies her disability for exemption).
3. She submits her application online, attaching documentation certifying her status as a beneficiary of the Ramón y Cajal Programme and having passed the I3 evaluation.
4. Her file is processed as an independent procedure before the selection committee corresponding to her position.

If she does not submit the application within the 15 business day deadline, she is excluded from this call and must wait for a new resolution.

What should researchers do now?

1. Verify compliance with requirements: confirm that you have the status of beneficiary of the Ramón y Cajal Programme and that the I3 evaluation has been passed or the R3 certificate is in force.
2. Calculate the application deadline: count 15 business days from 2 November 2026 to determine the exact closing date and not miss it.
3. Access CONVOCUM PDI: familiarize yourself with the University of Murcia's online platform before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
4. Prepare to pay the fee: have 48.61 € available for examination rights payment, or certify disability equal to or greater than 33% for exemption.
5. Gather supporting documentation: Ramón y Cajal Programme certificates, I3 evaluation or R3 certificate, and any other documents required by the call to certify access requirements.
6. Consult the complete resolution in the BOE: review the full text of the Resolution of 27 October 2026 to learn the specifics of each position called.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22952