“Ramón y Cajal” Tenure-Track Positions

Position Description

Job description: The Galician Institute of High Energy Physics (IGFAE) at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) invites outstanding researchers to apply for the 2026 “Ramón y Cajal” tenure-track positions, funded by the Spanish State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación, AEI) and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. These positions offer a clear pathway to a permanent position at USC after the initial 5-year contract.

Official call: https://www.aei.gob.es/convocatorias/buscador-convocatorias/ayudas-contratos-ramon-cajal-ryc-2026

Applications are evaluated independently of the prospective host institution. Subject to agreement with the University of Santiago de Compostela, IGFAE expects to host two or more successful candidates.

What the position offers

• A permanent position after the AEI-funded period: a 5-year research contract funded by the AEI, followed by a permanent position at USC, subject to a positive evaluation of the researcher’s performance.
• A gross annual salary of €40,000 funded by the Spanish government, plus additional IGFAE benefits, which will be discussed with successful candidates.
• Research funding of at least €200,000 in direct costs (amount set by the applicant), which can cover personnel, travel and other research expenses.
• Additional benefits for researchers who obtain an ERC grant, or whose ERC application receives a high score.

Eligibility

Applicants must have been awarded their PhD between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2024. Extensions to this period are possible in justified cases (see the official call).

Selection process

Candidates are selected at the national level by the AEI, based on the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae in the mandatory format (template, guidelines)
• Research proposal in the mandatory format (template, guidelines)
• Copy of the PhD certificate. Official recognition of the degree in Spain is not required at the time of application.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview after the first evaluation stage.

How to apply

• Application period: 10 November – 10 December 2026 (deadline: 14:00 CET on 10 December).
• Register at the Registro Unificado de Solicitantes, if you do not already have an account.
• Submit your application from 10 November via the AEI applications page or the call page.
• Sign and register your application. This step is mandatory and must be completed before the deadline. If you do not have a valid Spanish digital signature and live outside Spain, print the application documents and submit them for registration at a Spanish embassy or consulate. Please allow enough time for this.

FAQs link

Researchers interested in joining IGFAE are encouraged to contact us at jobs@igfae.gal, including a CV and a short summary of their research plans.

About IGFAE

The Instituto Galego de Física de Altas Enerxías (IGFAE, https://igfae.usc.es/igfae/) at the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC) is a research institute accredited as María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence by the Spanish Ministry of Science in the periods 2017-2021 and 2024-2030. IGFAE also takes part in the Xunta de Galicia's CIGUS network of centres of excellence, which accredits the quality and impact of its research. It hosts around 130 researchers, including more than 20 postdocs and over 50 PhD students. IGFAE has strong programs spanning theoretical and experimental high-energy physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology, and quantum science and technology. Researchers at IGFAE participate in experimental facilities such as CERN, LIGO, GSI/FAIR, GANIL, FRIB and the Pierre Auger Observatory.

IGFAE provides a highly stimulating environment and unique professional career development opportunities. We offer additional training to enhance future employability and career success of our researchers including technology transfer, entrepreneurship, dissemination, and equity/diversity perspective.
IGFAE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and particularly welcomes applications from under-represented groups in terms of gender identity, ethnic or social origin, disability, or any other characteristic. IGFAE implements its own Equality and Diversity strategy, with concrete actions committed to increase the gender, geographic and minority balance within the institute. We offer flexible working schedule to reconcile a work and family life.

More Information: https://www.aei.gob.es/convocatorias/buscador-convocatorias/ayudas-contratos-ramon-cajal-ryc-2026