UNED Calls for 179 Teaching and Research Staff Positions in 2026

Key data

UNED launches its largest teaching call of the year with 179 teaching and research staff positions (PDI) for 2026, published in the BOE on November 2, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-22954). The authorization comes from the Council of Ministers and is based on the Organic Law of the University System (LOSU) and the General State Budget extended from 2023.

For doctors and researchers who have spent years in temporary positions or in the Ramón y Cajal Program, this call represents a concrete window of access to a permanent teaching career. Understanding the exact distribution of positions and applicable reserves is the first step in deciding whether to apply.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution publishes the Public Employment Offer (OEP) for UNED PDI for 2026, distributing positions into three distinct blocks:

Within the 120 new positions, the regulation establishes two specific reserves:

• Reserve for Ramón y Cajal researchers with I3 certificate: up to 18 positions in total, distributed with a maximum of 9 positions per role (Associate and Permanent Labor). If any of these positions remain unfilled in the reserved competition, they may be redistributed to the general open competition.
• Reserve for persons with disability equal to or greater than 33%: 6 positions out of the total new hires.

The call is framed within LOSU, which regulates university teaching bodies and permanent labor staff roles, and is financed from the General State Budget extended from 2023, which means the economic allocation was already planned and does not require new budget authorization.

Economic and operational impact

For UNED as an institution, incorporating 120 new PDI staff members represents a structural increase in its permanent workforce, with the corresponding recurring salary costs. The salaries for Associate Professor and Permanent Labor Staff in Spanish public universities range, depending on level and supplements, between 40,000 and 55,000 euros gross annually on average, which implies an estimated annual budget impact of several million euros in payroll.

For candidates, the impact is the opposite: accessing a permanent position means transitioning from temporary contracts or predoctoral/postdoctoral roles to a stable position with research bonuses and seniority supplements that accumulate throughout one's career.

The reserve of up to 18 positions for Ramón y Cajal researchers with I3 certificate is especially relevant: the Ramón y Cajal program is the main channel for attracting research talent in Spain, and this reserve guarantees preferential access to those who have already passed ANECA's I3 evaluation, reducing direct competition with the open competition.

Who does it affect?

• Doctors with ANECA accreditation for Associate Professor or equivalent roles seeking a permanent position at UNED.
• Researchers in the Ramón y Cajal Program who have obtained the I3 certificate, with preferential access to up to 18 reserved positions.
• Active Associate Professors of University at UNED aspiring to promotion to Full Professor (59 positions through internal promotion).
• Persons with disability equal to or greater than 33% who meet academic requirements, with 6 reserved positions.
• UNED departments and faculties that will see their staffing reinforced with new permanent personnel.
• Academic career advisors and university HR managers who must guide candidates or plan selection processes.

Practical example

A researcher who completed their Ramón y Cajal contract in 2025 and obtained the ANECA I3 certificate can apply for the reserved Permanent Labor Staff positions (up to 9 positions in this specific competition). By competing only with other Ramón y Cajal candidates with I3, and not with the entire pool of accredited doctors in the open competition, their probability of access is significantly higher.

If those 9 positions reserved for Ramón y Cajal in the Permanent Labor Staff role were not fully filled, the remaining positions would automatically pass to the general open competition, expanding the offer for other accredited candidates.

On the other hand, an Associate Professor at UNED with several research bonuses can apply for the 59 Full Professor positions through internal promotion, an exclusive pathway that does not compete with external candidates and represents the main opportunity for vertical promotion within the institution in 2026.

What should candidates do now?

1. Verify current ANECA accreditation: Check that accreditation for the desired role (Associate or Permanent Labor) is valid before specific position calls are published.
2. Identify the corresponding access competition: Determine if you can apply to the reserved Ramón y Cajal competition (I3 certificate required), the disability competition (official certificate of 33% or more), or the general open competition.
3. Prepare your file and standardized curriculum vitae: UNED accreditation and competition processes require specific documentation; it is advisable to have it updated before application deadlines open.
4. Follow the BOE and UNED website: The published OEP is the general framework; individual position calls will be published separately. Setting up alerts on the BOE and UNED's employment portal is essential to not miss deadlines.
5. For Full Professor candidates: Review internal promotion requirements established by LOSU and UNED statutes, and prepare your teaching and research project in advance.

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-2026-22954