Fixed-term contracts harm science, young academics warn

Lobby group calls for better distinction between early career researchers to improve German contracting laws

Germany’s Young Academy has thrown its weight behind nationwide calls to review fixed-term contracts at universities, saying that the term “early career researcher” is too broad to develop proper policies.

The academy said in a statement that “exchange at eye level” is needed in the debate around fixed-term contracts, which is heating up after Germany’s September election gave significant power to parties promising reform. The existing system, where many researchers have to survive for years on one-to-two-year contracts, is damaging Germany’s international competitiveness and image, it said.