10 December 2015 – Parallel Session “Careers pathways and histories: Excellence in context”

Postdoc funding schemes in Europe – a survey

Anjana Buckow, DFG

“Synergies to fuel Researchers’ Careers”Luxembourg, 10 – 11 December 2015

organised by

The Postdoc phase is the period after being awarded a PhD when the PhD holder is still not fully independent.It can vary in terms of length, mentoring, supervision, the degree of leadership and the type funding etc.The postdoc can have a permanent position, however, temporary appointment is prevalent.

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The Mapping: Definition of “postdoc”/target group

• Template with 26 questions sent to European research organisations

• Funding schemes in which the postdoc can apply for his/her own salary (mainly R2, but also R3)

• Minimum length of funding: 6 months• 104 programmes in our survey

The survey is by no means exhaustive!

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The Mapping

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Survey of Results: Working Conditions

Example: Salary and length of fundingMobile high performers go where the conditions are bestOversupply of postdocs unattractive conditions

78

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14

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Position vs. Stipend

position (usually with social coverage)

stipend (social coverage included/optional)

stipend (social coverage not included/not reported)

mixture (for stay abroad)

not answered

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48

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Length of funding period

0-2 yrs 3-4 yrs 5yrs + no answer

• Period abroad = good for research career, but problems involved

• 41 (of 104) schemes expect mobility as prerequisite or support it.• Experience, Collaboration

• Repatriation, attraction of foreign talent

• Some include funding for return phase

• Evaluation reports reveal:• Integration at host institute not good

• Social security should be provided

• Return only if/when good positions offered

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Survey Results: Mobility

• Funding seen as career promoting element as such

• Support for career development/ planning: rare

• Little information about what really works.

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Survey of Results: Career Perspectives and Career Development

• Around ¼ of programmes insurvey have been evaluated

• Feedback/Results• Flexibility• Transparency • Host institute and status of grant holder• Support during and after grant• Networking• Marketing of programmes• Competition

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Survey of Results: Monitoring / Evaluation

The results of the study, including conclusions and recommendations will be made public in Spring

2016.For more information

http://www.scienceeurope.org/

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Conclusions & Recommendations