The European Framework for Research Careers (2011) describes four general profiles (R1, R2, R3 and R4) on the career development of researchers, which are independent of any particular sector (universities, research institutions, companies or NGOs).

Level R4: Leading Researchers - Researchers who are leaders in their area or field of research.

• Catedrático o catedrática de universidad (R4) - Full Professor
  This is the permanent category that corresponds to the most advanced stage of the academic career. This is a person who leads his or her area or field of research.

• Catedrático contratado o catedrática contratada (R4) - Full Professor
  This is the permanent category that corresponds to the most advanced stage of the academic career. This is a person who leads his or her area or field of research.

• Director o directora de investigación (R4) - Research Director
  This is a category that may be of a permanent or temporary nature linked to a project, and corresponds to a person who leads his or her area or field of research.

Level R3: Established researcher - Researchers who have developed a level of independence.

• Profesor o profesora titular de universidad (R3) - Associate Professor
  This is a permanent category corresponding to a person who has developed a level of independence in teaching and research.

• Profesor agregado o profesora agregada (R3) - Associate Professor
  This is a permanent category that corresponds to a person who has developed a level of independence in teaching and research.

• nvestigador o investigadora senior (R3) - Senior Researcher
  This is a category that may be of a permanent or temporary nature linked to a project, and corresponds to a person who has developed a level of independence in research.

Level R2: Recognized Researcher - Holders of a doctorate who have not yet established a significant level of independence, and researchers with an equivalent level of experience and competence.

• Profesor lector o profesora lectora (R2) - Assistant Professor
  A temporary category corresponding to a person who has not yet established a significant level of independence in teaching and research.

• Investigador o investigadora junior (R2) - Junior Researcher
  This is a category that may be of a permanent or temporary nature linked to a project, and which corresponds to a person who has yet to establish a significant level of independence in research.

Level R1: First stage researcher. Persons doing research under supervision in industry, research institutes or universities. Includes doctoral students.

• Ayudante  (R1) - Assisstant Researcher
  This is a temporary category corresponding to a person undergoing training in both teaching and research.