Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 1, 2026, from the State Agency Spanish Space Agency, by which the provision of a job position is convened by the free appointment system |
|---|---|
| Publication | October 10, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 11, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Career civil servants subgroup A1 with experience in space R&D&I and accredited scientific profile |
| Category | Public Sector |
| Application deadline | 10 calendar days from publication (until October 20, 2026) |
| Provision system | Free appointment |
| Contract type | Senior management under labor regime |
| Official source | BOE-A-2026-21116 |
The Spanish Space Agency convenes, through free appointment, the position of Director/a of the Science, Technology and Innovation Directorate, with a senior management contract under labor regime. The call, published on October 10, 2026 as BOE-A-2026-21116, establishes a very high scientific profile that considerably restricts the universe of eligible candidates.
The position involves directing Spanish space scientific and technological policy, coordinating programs with ESA and the European Union, and managing public funding for space R&D&I. It is one of the positions with the highest technical responsibility within the agency's organizational structure.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution convenes a single job position through the free appointment system. Below are all the requirements demanded of candidates:
| Requirement | Required condition |
|---|---|
| Body/scale of origin | Career civil servant of subgroup A1 |
| Total experience in R&D&I | Minimum 15 years |
| Experience in space field | Minimum 5 years |
| Required qualification | MECES 3 in Physical Sciences, Mathematics or higher engineering |
| Scientific publications | Minimum 50 peer-reviewed publications |
| H-index | Equal to or greater than 55 |
| Contract type | Senior management under labor regime |
| Provision system | Free appointment |
| Submission of applications | Electronically |
| Application deadline | 10 calendar days from publication |
The functions of the position include three major areas of responsibility:
- Direct Spanish space scientific and technological policy.
- Coordinate programs with ESA (European Space Agency) and the European Union.
- Manage public funding for space R&D&I.
Economic and operational impact
From an institutional and public management perspective, this position has a direct impact on the orientation of public funds allocated to space R&D&I in Spain. The appointed Director/a will be responsible for channeling and managing public funding to the space sector, making them a key interlocutor for companies, research centers and organizations that depend on public funding in this field.
For the private space sector and research centers, the identity and profile of the selected candidate can condition funding priorities, collaboration programs with ESA and the EU, and the national R&D&I strategy in the medium term. Identifying who occupies this position and what their lines of work are is strategic information for any actor in the Spanish space ecosystem.
The senior management contract under labor regime—rather than ordinary civil service appointment—implies remuneration and management conditions typical of senior public management, with greater flexibility but also greater exposure to discretionary decisions by the convening body.
Who does it affect?
- Career civil servants of subgroup A1 with a scientific profile in Physical Sciences, Mathematics or higher engineering (MECES 3) who meet the requirements for experience and research impact.
- Public sector researchers (CSIC, universities, OPIs) with an accredited trajectory in the space field and high-level bibliometric metrics.
- Spanish space sector companies that depend on public funding managed by the Spanish Space Agency and have an interest in knowing the profile of the new director.
- Technology and research centers with collaboration programs with ESA or the EU that may be affected by the priorities of the new position.
- R&D&I advisors and consultants who accompany clients in obtaining public space funding.
Practical example
A researcher civil servant from CSIC, assigned to subgroup A1, with 18 years of experience in R&D&I projects—of which 7 have been in earth observation programs with ESA—and with 62 publications indexed in peer-reviewed journals and an h-index of 58, would meet all the requirements established in the call.
Their doctorate in Physical Sciences (MECES 3 level) also satisfies the academic requirement. They could submit their candidacy electronically within 10 calendar days from October 10, 2026, that is, before October 20, 2026.
On the other hand, a researcher with an h-index of 48—even if they had 20 years of experience and more than 70 publications—would be excluded for not reaching the minimum threshold of h-index equal to or greater than 55.
What should candidates do now?
- Verify compliance with all requirements before submitting candidacy: subgroup A1, 15 years in R&D&I (5 in space field), MECES 3 qualification, minimum 50 peer-reviewed publications and h-index ≥ 55.
- Prepare supporting documentation for each requirement: certificate of services rendered, list of publications with DOI identifier or equivalent, and proof of h-index (Web of Science, Scopus or other recognized database).
- Submit the application electronically within the 10 calendar day deadline from October 10, 2026. The deadline is October 20, 2026.
- Consult the complete call in the BOE-A-2026-21116 to verify the official application form and required documents.
- For companies and research centers: monitor the resolution of the call to identify the new Director/a and anticipate possible changes in public space funding priorities.
Frequently asked questions
What are the minimum requirements to apply for the position of Director/a of Science at the Spanish Space Agency?
Candidates must be career civil servants of subgroup A1, with MECES 3 qualification in Physical Sciences, Mathematics or higher engineering, at least 15 years of experience in R&D&I (of which 5 in the space field), a minimum of 50 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index equal to or greater than 55.
What is the deadline for submitting an application to the Spanish Space Agency call?
The deadline is 10 calendar days from the publication of the resolution, which took place on October 10, 2026. The deadline for submitting the electronic candidacy is October 20, 2026.
What provision system is used and what type of contract does this position offer?
The position is filled through the free appointment system. The contract is for senior management under labor regime, which implies remuneration and management conditions typical of senior public management, different from ordinary civil service appointment.
What functions will the new Director/a of Science, Technology and Innovation of the Spanish Space Agency have?
The position involves directing Spanish space scientific and technological policy, coordinating programs with ESA (European Space Agency) and the European Union, and managing public funding for space R&D&I in Spain.
How does this call affect companies and research centers in the space sector?
The new Director/a will be responsible for managing public funding for space R&D&I and coordinating programs with ESA and the EU. Their profile and priorities can directly condition the orientation of public space funding in Spain, making it strategic information for any actor in the space ecosystem.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Disclaimer: 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-2026-21116
