The Spanish National Hydrogen Centre Opens Seven New Recruitment Processes under the Castilla-La Mancha Investigo Programme 2026

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The Spanish National Hydrogen Centre (CNH2) has opened seven recruitment processes to incorporate new researchers, technologists and research support staff into different units and laboratories of the Centre.

The job vacancies are aimed at unemployed young people under the age of 30 and cover areas such as electrochemical technologies, thermochemical and biological processes, catalytic materials, hydrogen system integration, engineering and control, as well as the technical management of R&D&I projects.

The calls include five positions for candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree (MECES Level 2) and two positions for candidates holding a university Master’s degree (MECES Level 3). The required qualifications are mainly related to Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Renewable Energy and Environmental Studies, depending on the characteristics of each position. Certain vacancies also accept equivalent or related qualifications, as established in their respective terms and conditions.

The recruitment processes are carried out within the framework of the Castilla-La Mancha Investigo Programme 2026, aimed at promoting the labour market integration of unemployed young people through their participation in research, technological development and innovation activities.

This funding is intended to finance seven employment contracts for a period of 24 months and is 85% co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), within the framework of the Castilla-La Mancha ESF+ Programme 2021–2027, Priority 5 – Youth Employment.

Vacant Positions

Programmes, Projects and Communications Unit

Electrochemical Technologies Unit

Advanced Technologies for Eco-Fuel Production Unit

Consultancy and Training Unit

Simulation, Control and End-Use Applications Unit

General Requirements and Application Deadline

As a general rule, candidates must:

  1. Be between 16 and 29 years of age, inclusive.
  2. Be unemployed and registered as non-employed jobseekers at the Emplea employment offices of Castilla-La Mancha on the day preceding their recruitment.
  3. Meet the legal requirements applicable to the type of employment contract to be formalised.
  4. Hold the qualification required for the position on the day preceding the start of the employment relationship. If the degree certificate has not yet been issued, candidates must provide proof that they have applied for its issuance and paid the corresponding fee or are exempt from payment.
  5. Provide documentary evidence of compliance with the required conditions, as established in each call.

The contracts will have a duration of 24 months, on a full-time basis, with a two-month probationary period.

The gross annual salary will be €23,561.46 for the five Bachelor’s degree positions and €26,958.68 for the two Master’s degree positions. In addition, CNH2 will offer a training plan tailored to the duties of each position.

The specific conditions, required qualifications, duties, assessable merits and documentation to be submitted can be consulted in the individual calls.

The application period will remain open until November 15, 2026, at 23:59.

All information and access to the calls are available at: www.cnh2.es/empleo/

About the Investigo Programme

These recruitment processes are carried out pursuant to Decree 41/2026 of July 21, regulating the direct award of grants under the Investigo Programme, eligible for co-financing by the European Social Fund Plus, published in the Official Journal of Castilla-La Mancha on July 28, 2026. The project has received a total grant of €484,774.80.

The programme aims to promote the recruitment of young people as researchers, technologists and research support staff, contributing to their integration into the science, technology and innovation system and to the development of new scientific and technological capabilities.

The activities fall within priority research areas linked to Pillar II of Horizon Europe and the Smart Specialisation Strategy of Castilla-La Mancha (S3), contributing to the strengthening of research and innovation in the region.

This initiative is funded by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha, through the Regional Ministry of Economy, Business and Employment, and 85% co-financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), under the Castilla-La Mancha ESF+ Programme 2021–2027, Priority 5 – Youth Employment.