Studies conducted by various committees (Research Careers in Europe: Landscape and Horizons, Harvesting Talent: Strengthening Research Careers in Europe, Towards a European Framework for Research Careers) have led to the establishment of four stages in the research career, starting with the training of research staff, through PhDs, and continuing with subsequent levels of development associated with the degree of research independence.
The four stages are summarised in the following table:
| Code | Development status | Degree of Independence |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | First Stage Researcher | Up to the PhD |
| R2 | Recognised Researcher | Ph.D. or equivalent who is not yet independent |
| R3 | Established Researcher | PhD research staff who already have a high level of independence |
| R4 | Leading Researcher | Research staff leading their line or field of research |
Each of these profiles is defined in detail below, including information about calls and types of contracts for the different levels.
- People who are in the initial phase of their research activity and have not yet reached a PhD.
- Their research activity is always carried out under supervision.
- They may be graduate or post-graduate (master's degree) students, or have been recruited by the University to carry out a limited teaching or research activity, in addition to their pre-doctoral work.
- Transitory and temporary contractual position (< 5 years)
- Staff recruited, both through competitive HR calls and research projects, or through funds obtained from different funding agencies.
R2A - Post-doctoral staff
- These are researchers who have recently obtained their PhD.
- Transitory and time-limited contractual position (generally < 5 years)
- They are in a period of advanced training, under mentoring aimed at improving both their skills and their independence as researchers.
- They may have a limited teaching activity in parallel to their research work.
- In general, they are not the main researchers (IP in Spanish) of competitive research projects, although they may direct some studies or projects with non-competitive funding.
- Staff recruited, both through competitive HR calls and research projects, or through funds obtained from different funding agencies.
R2B - Junior Research Staff
- Research staff with PhD
- In general, they coincide with the so-called "tenure researcher" or "junior researcher"
- Transitory and time-limited contractual position (generally < 5 years)
- They may have a limited teaching activity in parallel to their research work.
- They have already been or may be main researcher (IP) of their own competitive research projects and sign scientific articles in a seniority position.
- Staff recruited, both through competitive HR calls and research projects, or through funds obtained from different funding agencies.
- Research staff with a PhD
- Permanent contractual position or with the possibility of extension
- They have teaching and student tutoring activities.
- They are IPs of their own projects with a high level of independence and sign scientific articles in a seniority position.
- They may be staff recruited from both national and international competitive calls for proposals.
- Research staff with a doctoral degree and a high degree of independence, recognised in their area of research.
- Permanent contractual position or with the possibility of extension
- They have teaching and student tutoring activities.
- They publish influential articles and have an international reputation based on excellence in their area of research. They show a strategic vision of the implications and future of their research.
- They participate in organising committees of international seminars and conferences, and are invited to give lectures in their field of research.
- They are leaders of competitive reference groups periodically assessed in competitive calls.