Shaping a research career in Spain: 5 principles I follow as a young professor

As a young professor in Spain beginning my research career, I’ve been reflecting on the key principles that can help me feel both comfortable and successful. I’ve identified five essential ones:

1. Selecting problems that matter and that motivate you

One of the most important lessons is that choosing the right problem is decisive. This should combine three dimensions: relevance, feasibility, and personal motivation. A relevant problem is one that matters not only for my immediate field but also has the potential to influence other areas. Feasibility is equally important. Select problems that maximize both feasibility and interest, rather than going for those that are impressive but nearly impossible. At the same time, it must be something that really drives you, because otherwise it is hard to maintain motivation in the long term. Such problems are those that keep coming back to your mind, the ones you feel excited to explain even to non-scientists. In Spain, evaluation panels also look carefully at originality and long-term vision, so this balance is essential.

2. Defining a clear research identity

Committees do not hire or fund for what you have done in the past, but for what they expect you to do next. That is why you need a clear research identity: why this topic matters now, and why you are the right person to carry it forward. Identity is not only written in documents. If you want to be seen as someone leading a specific niche, people in the field must recognize your name and connect it with that topic. To achieve this, you must also make yourself visible to the leaders in your field. In practice, this means presenting at conferences, contacting colleagues abroad, and ensuring your work is recognized. At the same time, I think research identity must be coherent but not rigid. It is good to show continuity, but also some capacity to open new directions.

3. Publishing with strategy, not just quantity

Quality is more important than quantity. A well-structured paper, with solid data and methods, is worth more than many weak publications. In the Spanish system, journals indexed in JCR are still crucial for ANECA and sexenios. Still, I believe that credibility and visibility should guide your choices more than just the impact factor. A paper in a visible and credible journal can help me much more than several papers in obscure venues. I also see the importance of aiming for journals that are read by the community I want to influence, even if their impact factor is not the highest. On the other hand, publishing is not the final step of research, but also a part of building your research identity. If your papers consistently address the same big questions, evaluators and colleagues will more easily associate you with that line. If instead your publications are scattered across many different topics, you may look less focused, even if the work is technically good.

4. Building networks and asking for help

An independent career is never completely independent. Science is a collaborative effort. Networking and mentoring are essential. Asking questions at conferences, inviting senior researchers, or joining collaborations are not just extras; they are strategic moves. In Spain, international contacts are highly valued, and particularly for me, they are also a source of learning and support. On the other hand, asking for advice from more experienced colleagues is not a weakness; it is part of the culture of academia. I realized that having one or two mentors who understand my situation in Spain and who can give me feedback on my proposals or career moves is invaluable. Their support can save you from wasting time and help avoid mistakes.

5. Planning a funding path aligned with each stage

Finally, resources are critical. Without funding, there is no science nor independence. No matter how good your ideas are, without funding, you cannot hire students, buy equipment, or create the conditions for a group to grow. You need to adapt your funding strategy to your career stage: start with smaller regional or foundation-level calls, move to national leadership projects, and aim at ERC or big consortia later. Another practical lesson is that negotiation matters. When you sign a contract or accept a fellowship, you must be very clear about what start-up package you will receive, what laboratory space you will have, and what your teaching load will be (in Spain is very high!). Having these points in writing is essential because a lack of resources or excessive teaching can undermine all your scientific plans.

Closing remarks

Becoming independent in Spain is not only a matter of scientific talent. It is also about choosing wisely, being visible, and managing resources with strategy. I see it almost like running a small company: the research niche is the product, publications are the presentation, and networks and funding are the capital. With this mindset, I believe building a sustainable group that can grow in Spain and Europe is possible.