University of Murcia - University of Murcia Predoctoral Contracts

University of Murcia predoctoral contracts

You will receive a salary of paid, full-time job contract to 4 years for carrying out research and writing your doctoral thesis at the University of Murcia in Spain. This is a genuine employment position, not a scholarship. Your salary is based on the collective agreement for academic staff at Murcia’s public universities and will increase over time: at least 56% of the reference salary in the years 1–2, 60% in the year 3 and 75% in the year 4. It will never fall below the Spanish minimum wage. The costs of supervision for your PhD thesis will be covered for the duration of the contract, and you may apply separately for a travel allowance to fund research visits. The university funds 20 contracts annually: 15 for independent academic research across all disciplines and 5 for projects co-funded by an external public or private partner. If you have a disability, you may extend the contract to 6 years.

Who can apply

• Degree: You hold a Bachelor’s degree (at least 300 ECTS), a Master’s degree or an older equivalent qualification (Licenciatura, Ingeniería, Arquitectura).
• No doctorate yet: You do not yet hold a PhD.
• Where you study: You have been admitted to a PhD programme at the University of Murcia or are about to be admitted.
• Supervisor: A permanent academic at the University of Murcia has agreed to supervise your dissertation. They must be involved in a funded research project with a grant of at least 5,000 EUR.
• Field of study: All disciplines are open, ranging from natural sciences and engineering through to health sciences, arts and humanities, and social sciences and law.
• Nationality: Open to Spanish nationals and EU citizens. Non-EU citizens may apply if they are legally resident in Spain and are authorised to work there.
• Language: You know Spanish well enough, or you have English at C1 level.
• No prior full grant: You have not yet used up the full duration of 4 years of another public doctoral scholarship.
• Grades: You will score points here with a good degree at the end of your undergraduate studies. If your average mark is below 6.5 of 10, you will receive zero points for this criterion (6.0 if you have taken a break from your studies to care for a family member, are a victim of domestic violence or come from a disadvantaged background).

How to apply

Applications are made via the University of Murcia’s online platform, and your chosen supervisor will confirm your application there. The closing date for applications for the 2025 contracts was 13 September. The selection process consists of two stages: first, the 50 applicants with the best academic records are shortlisted; subsequently, a committee assesses your achievements, your research proposal and your supervisor’s track record to date.

How realistic are your chances?

With only 20 contracts per year and an initial phase in which only the best 50 applicants are considered, competition is fierce, and your bachelor’s degree grades carry real weight. Your prospects are best if you already have an excellent academic record and have found a suitable supervisor in Murcia with an ongoing, funded project before you even apply. Securing this supervisor at an early stage is the crucial step.