Objetive

To foster the consolidation and retention of excellent research talent at the University of Jaén through bridge contracts for research personnel who have completed highly competitive contracts and are at an advanced stage of their stabilization process.
This action aims to facilitate effective access to the R3 (or I3) certification or to permanent faculty positions, serving as a strategic mechanism to retain research staff with an excellent track record aligned with the scientific objectives of the University of Jaén.

Conditions

• Contract duration: Contracts will have a minimum duration of twelve months, renewable up to a maximum of 24 months in total if the beneficiary secures competitive funding through international, national, or regional project calls or transfer contracts during the contract period.
• Dedication regime: The contract will be full-time. Beneficiaries may be included in the teaching organization of their assigned Department in accordance with current teaching organization criteria.
• Funding: The contract cost will be funded 100% by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Knowledge Transfer through the Internal Research Plan (Plan Propio de Investigación), subject to budget availability.
• Application deadlines: Applications must be submitted within six months prior to the end of the excellence contract, or up to a maximum of one month after its termination.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have held a contractual relationship with the University of Jaén through competitive excellence programs, such as Ramón y Cajal, Beatriz Galindo, Emergia, or equivalent.
• Have applied for the R3 (or I3) certification or accreditation for permanent faculty positions (Profesor/a Titular or Profesor/a Permanente Laboral) and have received a negative evaluation or be pending resolution; or hold such certification/accreditation and be awaiting the publication of the stabilization position in the UJA Public Employment Offer (Oferta de Empleo Público).
• Have obtained positive evaluations of their research activity from ANECA during the tenure of the excellence contract, demonstrating a relevant and sustained scientific trajectory.Meet the general requirements set out in the Internal Plan rules and the corresponding call.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Secretariat (Sede Electrónica) of the University of Jaén, attaching the documentation specified in the call.
Specifically, applicants must include a Stabilization or Promotion Plan detailing the need for the bridge period and outlining the planned actions for professional consolidation, such as:

• Applications for new research projects.
• Pending accreditation processes.
• Stabilization strategy at the UJA or other institutions.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by the Research Commission, subject to budget availability, according to the following criteria:

• Competitiveness level of the original contract, prioritized in the following order: ERC, Ramón y Cajal / Beatriz Galindo / Emergia, or equivalent programs.
• Evaluation of research performance during the previous contract, with particular value placed on securing funds as Principal Investigator (PI) and high-impact publications.

Obligations of Beneficiaries

• Competitive calls: Beneficiaries are required to apply for research project calls or stabilization programs launched at regional, national, or international levels during the tenure of the bridge contract, provided they meet the requirements.
• Final report: Beneficiaries must submit a final report detailing the scientific activities carried out upon completion of the contract.
• Resignation: Securing an external contract or a permanent position as Teaching and Research Staff (Personal Docente e Investigador) will imply the automatic resignation from the bridge contract, releasing the corresponding funds for re-allocation to the reserve list, where applicable.