New postdoctoral research contracts at the UOC: 2027 call for applications
The UOC's Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee has approved a new call for applications for three-year postdoctoral research contracts starting in 2027. The call includes up to five positions for postdoctoral researchers to join the university's research groups. Successful applicants will also have access to on-site facilities and the UOC Labs, where they can use the scientific infrastructure and laboratory equipment needed for their projects.
Proposals must be aligned with up to two of the UOC's strategic research missions. Applications can be submitted from 10 November to 15 December 2026.
Boosting interdisciplinary research
The UOC is placing a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research in this year's call, which offers two application routes: standard and interdisciplinary. Both introduce changes to research group affiliation, strategic alignment and assessment criteria.
- Affiliation with two research groups under the standard route: Applicants following the standard route must submit a proposal linked to one UOC research group or, in a new option introduced this year, two different groups. In the latter case, the project must be jointly supervised by one member from each group.
- Alignment with research missions: Applicants must now align their proposed project with up to two of the UOC's strategic research missions.
- Expanded criteria for research stays: In addition to postdoctoral research stays undertaken in the last five years in a country other than the one in which the applicant obtained their PhD, the assessment criteria will now also take into account research stays completed before obtaining the PhD, provided they took place within the same five-year period and in a different country.
Who can apply?
The programme is open to researchers who obtained their PhD after 1 January 2020 and before the application deadline. This eligibility period is extended to those who obtained their PhD after 1 January 2018 if, before the deadline for accepting their position, they can provide evidence of maternity, paternity or parental leave, long-term medical leave, caring for children under six, or caring for people with disabilities or dependent adults over 65. Researchers who obtained their PhD from the UOC are also eligible, provided they have completed at least two years of postdoctoral research at other universities or research centres.
In addition, applicants must not have had an employment or commercial contract with the UOC in the two years immediately preceding the publication of the call, nor have previously held a postdoctoral research contract at the university.
The provisional decision will be announced on or after 2 April 2027, followed by the final decision on or after 26 April 2027. Successful applicants will then be able to formally take up their positions at the UOC from 1 June 2027.