Nearly half of Norwegian postdocs leave academia

Few career options and perception of being ‘cheap labour’ drives talent away

According to a report, 45 per cent of early-career researchers are no longer employed by Norwegian research or higher education institutions four years after completing their postdocs.

According to the study, which was undertaken by the Nordic Institute for Studies in Innovation, Research and Education (Nifu), many postdocs feel they are mostly seen as “cheap labour” rather than potential professors. But they also said that postdoc positions were useful for them to sharpen their skills for alternative careers.