Grant-holders are considered to be students but they pay taxes and must be exclusively engaged in research. In some situations they lack also basic in-departmental rights such as representation in the elected body of their centres. Under these circumstances, it is noteworthy that several students leave before obtaining the doctoral degree towards a better recognised job. However there is still an important number of students that get their degree every year. This number of doctors greatly exceed the capacity of absorption of the Spanish research system.
Doctoral studies are the first step in the scientific career.
Once the doctor degree has been obtained there are few possibilities to do research in Spain and therefore Spanish doctors usually spent many years working abroad. There are many difficulties to return to the Spanish research system due to the very reduced number of permanent positions opened every year. More than 3.000 senior members of the Spanish scientific community have already signed this manifesto. If you are interested on, look at some pictures in our poster .