Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (UFPS), located in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia, is a prominent public university founded in 1962. Named after the Colombian general Francisco de Paula Santander, it serves as a key educational hub in the border region with Venezuela. UFPS has grown into a comprehensive institution with over 20,000 students across multiple campuses, offering programs in engineering, health sciences, economics, law, education, and agriculture. Jobs at Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander attract professionals passionate about regional development, research on binational issues, and community impact. The university's commitment to innovation positions it as an employer of choice for academics in Colombia.
Understanding jobs at UFPS starts with recognizing its role in higher education. Faculty and staff contribute to teaching, research, and extension services, often addressing local challenges like agribusiness and public health. With a focus on quality accreditation, UFPS invests in its workforce, providing stable careers in a dynamic academic environment near the international border.
Established as a regional response to educational needs, UFPS began as the Instituto Técnico Industrial de Cúcuta and evolved into a full university by 1973. Today, it operates four campuses: the main one in Cúcuta, plus Ocaña, Cúcuta Norte, and San José de Cúcuta. Its mission emphasizes integral human formation, scientific research, and social projection, particularly in Norte de Santander's context. This history shapes jobs at Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander, prioritizing roles that advance sustainable development and intercultural dialogue.
Over decades, UFPS has secured high rankings in Colombia for employability and research output, with over 50 undergraduate programs and numerous master's degrees. For those seeking university jobs, this legacy offers opportunities to join a forward-thinking institution.
UFPS organizes into faculties like Engineering, Health Sciences, Economic and Administrative Sciences, Law and Political Sciences, Education Sciences, and Basic Sciences. Popular programs include Civil Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Business Administration, and Agronomy. Jobs at UFPS are concentrated here, with faculty openings in high-demand areas like biomedical engineering and environmental management.
Research groups, such as the Group on Materials and Processes or Border Studies, drive hiring for specialized roles. Administrative jobs support these faculties in areas like international affairs and technology transfer.
Common positions include full-time professors (docentes de dedicación exclusiva), part-time lecturers (cátedra), research assistants, lab technicians, and administrators. Tenure-track faculty jobs require balancing teaching loads of 12-18 hours weekly with research. For a full breakdown, explore university job types.
Remote higher ed jobs are limited but growing in online program coordination.
To secure jobs at UFPS, candidates need specific credentials. Faculty typically hold a master's degree (maestría), with PhD (doctorado) mandatory for senior roles per Colombian regulations (Decreto 1075 de 2015).
Required Academic Qualifications:
Research Focus or Expertise Needed: Align with UFPS priorities: agrotech, renewable energy, border economics, tropical medicine. Colciencias-recognized groups favor applicants with publications in Scopus-indexed journals.
Preferred Experience:
Skills and Competencies:
Docente de Planta: Permanent full-time faculty with tenure rights after evaluation, handling teaching, research, and admin duties.
Cátedra: Hourly or part-time lecturing contract, ideal for adjunct roles.
Convocatoria Pública: Open public call for positions, ensuring transparency in hiring.
Colciencias: Now MinCiencias, Colombia's science ministry funding research projects.
The process follows national norms: Monitor UFPS website or Función Pública portal for convocatorias. Submit digital dossier with CV, diplomas, publications list, and interview proposal.
Tips: Network via academic congresses in Colombia. Use our free resume template and customize for regional context. Reference how to write a winning academic CV for edge.
UFPS promotes equity through the Vicerrectoría de Bienestar, offering scholarships for underrepresented groups and gender parity policies. Initiatives include programs for Wayuu indigenous faculty, Afro-Colombian researchers, and women in STEM. Annual diversity reports track progress, with partnerships like UNESCO for inclusive education. These efforts create welcoming jobs at UFPS for diverse candidates.
Cúcuta's campuses feature green spaces, gyms, libraries, and cafeterias. Faculty enjoy 30 vacation days, sabbaticals every 5 years, and remote work options post-COVID. Proximity to beaches and mountains aids balance. Cultural events, sports leagues, and family support programs enhance life. Salaries include health insurance, pensions, and housing allowances, competitive for Colombia.
UFPS offers impact-driven careers amid Colombia's vibrant academia. Contribute to regional growth while accessing funding and collaborations. Salaries average COP 10-18 million monthly for faculty, per recent data.
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Jobs at Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander blend teaching, research, and service in a supportive setting. Ready to apply? Browse higher ed jobs, get advice from higher ed career advice, search university jobs, or post a job if recruiting.
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