UCM Access Competition 2026: University Teaching Staff Positions

Key data

The Universidad Complutense de Madrid convenes vacant positions in university teaching staff bodies through an access competition, with the Resolution of May 7, 2026 published in the BOE on May 14, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-10480). The positions correspond to the bodies of full professors of university and associate professors of university, the two civil service figures with the greatest stability in the Spanish public academic career.

This process is not an open call for any doctor or researcher: the prior and essential requirement is to have national accreditation granted by ANECA for the body to which you are applying. Without that accreditation, it is not possible to participate.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution activates the selection process to fill vacant positions at UCM within the civil service university teaching bodies. The regulatory framework is the current university regulations regarding access to these bodies.

The key elements of the process are as follows:

• Prior accreditation requirement: Candidates must have national accreditation from ANECA for the teaching body to which they are applying before submitting their application.
• Submission of applications: Candidates must submit their application within the deadlines established in the resolution itself.
• Evaluation committees: Tests are evaluated by committees specifically designated for each position convened.
• Purpose of the process: To fill vacant positions, allowing both the stabilization of teachers and promotion within the public academic career.
• Bodies convened: Full professors and associate professors of university.

The exact detail of the positions convened—number, field of knowledge and department—appears in the full text of the resolution available in the BOE.

Economic and operational impact

For candidates, accessing a civil service position at UCM means moving from a temporary contractual situation or as a contracted worker to a career civil servant position, with the economic and stability implications that this entails:

• Job stability: The civil service position offers security against temporary contracts or figures such as assistant professor or contracted professor.
• Regulated remuneration: The remuneration of full professors and associate professors is set by university civil service regulations, with supplements for teaching and research merits (five-year and six-year periods).
• Academic promotion: For those who are already associate professors accredited as full professors, this competition represents the path to promotion to the highest university civil service level.
• Operational cost for UCM: The call implies the activation of evaluation committees, administrative management of the process and, once resolved, the incorporation of new civil service personnel to the staff.

From the candidate's perspective, the main cost is not economic but time and preparation: the preparation of the file, the presentation of the teaching and research project and the defense before the evaluation committee are the phases that require the most dedication.

Who does it affect?

• Researchers and teachers with ANECA accreditation for the body of full professors of university who seek to access that category at UCM.
• Associate professors of university accredited as full professors who wish to be promoted within the civil service academic career.
• Teachers with ANECA accreditation for associate professor who seek stabilization in a civil service position at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
• Researchers in transition from contractual figures (Ramón y Cajal, Juan de la Cierva, assistant professor) who already have accreditation and seek their first civil service position.
• Departments and faculties of UCM with vacant positions included in this call, which will see their positions filled once the competition is resolved.

Practical example

A researcher who has completed his Ramón y Cajal contract, has obtained ANECA accreditation for the body of associate professor of university and has been working for several years as a contracted professor at UCM can apply for this call if there is a vacant position in his field of knowledge.

The process he would follow would be as follows:

1. Verify that his ANECA accreditation is in force and corresponds to the body of the position convened.
2. Consult the list of positions convened in the resolution (BOE-A-2026-10480) to identify if there is one in his field of knowledge and department.
3. Submit his application within the deadline established in the call, accompanied by the required documentation.
4. Prepare and defend his teaching and research project before the evaluation committee designated for that position.
5. If selected, he accesses a civil service position as associate professor of university at UCM, with the stability and remuneration inherent to the body.

This same process applies, with the differences inherent to the body, for those applying for full professor positions of university.

What should candidates do now?

1. Verify ANECA accreditation: Confirm that you have current accreditation for the body to which you want to apply (full professor or associate professor). Without it, you cannot participate.
2. Consult the full text of the call: Access the resolution in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-10480) to identify the positions convened by field of knowledge and department.
3. Review the deadlines for submitting applications: The specific deadlines appear in the text of the resolution. Act in advance to prepare the required documentation.
4. Prepare the file and the teaching and research project: This is the central element of the evaluation. Dedicate sufficient time to its preparation before the deadline.
5. Follow the instructions of the evaluation committee: Each position has its own committee. Consult its composition and the specific tests established for the position to which you are applying.