The Uncertain and Shifting Future of Ph.D.s in Science
Research funding cuts may lead to shrinking Ph.D. classes, raising concerns about impacts on the science-driven economy.
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Science's 'Gollum Effect': PhDs Bear Brunt of Territorial Behaviour
Survey respondents at all career stages report colleagues engaging in territorial and possessive behaviours - but early-career researchers are most often affected.
Max Planck Bullying Scandal Highlights Vulnerability of Young International Researchers
Max Planck Bullying Scandal Highlights Vulnerability of Young International Researchers
Networks demand government and EU intervention to raise standards at universities and research institutions.
The Chaos of NIH Cuts Has Left Early-Career Scientists Scrambling
The Chaos of NIH Cuts Has Left Early-Career Scientists Scrambling
As graduate programs lose spots and labs face shutdowns following Trump administration cuts to science funding, students and researchers are left to figure out what's next.
Postdocs and PhD Students Hit Hard by Trump's Crackdown on Science
As US federal grants remain frozen and budget cuts loom, anxiety and fear grip early-career researchers.
The double-glazed ceiling: new PIs face continuing precarity
Early career researchers’ path to independence is unnecessarily bumpy
Blind Application Process Helps Swiss Spark Grants Back Unconventional Research
Blind Application Process Helps Swiss Spark Grants Back Unconventional Research
The Spark grants scheme, run by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), anonymises applications. This has meant a more diverse range of winners, particularly younger scientists and those new to SNSF funding.
Postdocs Demanding Better-Together
Columbia University's postdoc union tackles bullying and financial disparities so that researchers can focus on science.
Choose Europe Research Careers Pilot Set to Begin in 2025
An initiative intended to tackle the brain drain and precarity in research careers in Europe is to be tested during 2025, according to a draft work programme for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in Horizon Europe.
Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research
Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research
Global scientific reports about climate change are largely written and reviewed by older researchers from the global north.
Students and Research Mentors Can Navigate Career Conversations Together
Students and Research Mentors Can Navigate Career Conversations Together
This article offers advice for graduate students and research mentors on how to have better conversations about career planning.
Universities Push for Research Careers Pilot in Horizon Europe
The CESAER university association is calling on the European Commission to pilot a 'Choose Europe for a research career' programme to tackle brain drain and precarity in research careers.
Teamwork is Good for Science - but Maybe Not for Young Researchers' Careers
Teamwork is Good for Science - but Maybe Not for Young Researchers' Careers
As teams of scientists get larger, young researchers have become less likely to earn tenure and secure research funding.
Funding Radar: This Week's Ten Most Interesting Calls Targeted at Young Researchers
Funding Radar: This Week's Ten Most Interesting Calls Targeted at Young Researchers
The EU recognises the role of young researchers in shaping the future research and innovation landscape and throughout the years policymakers have pushed for better career paths and put in place specific funding programmes in support of this.
Hunger on Campus: Why US PhD Students Are Fighting over Food
Graduate students are relying on donated and discounted food in the struggle to make ends meet.
Misconduct’s forgotten victims
Addressing the link between poor treatment of early-career researchers and academic misconduct.
Understanding the EU's €270M Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme
In April, the European Commission will open its annual MSCA postdoctoral fellowships call to help connect excellent researchers with host institutions around the world.
‘Kangaroo Time’ Hops Into top Spot of Science’s Latest ‘Dance Your Ph.D.’ Contest
‘Kangaroo Time’ Hops Into top Spot of Science’s Latest ‘Dance Your Ph.D.’ Contest
Runners-up in Science’s annual competition include dances of streambank erosion and moth mating.
New Study Shows EU Funding for Industry-Based Doctoral Training Can Foster Innovation
New Study Shows EU Funding for Industry-Based Doctoral Training Can Foster Innovation
Funding doctoral training can be a driving force for innovation, especially if it involves industry, according to a new European Commission study.
I Couldn’t Move For A Postdoc. Fellowship Reviewers Shouldn’t Have Penalized Me For It
I Couldn’t Move For A Postdoc. Fellowship Reviewers Shouldn’t Have Penalized Me For It
I wasn’t surprised to learn I hadn’t been selected for a prestigious postdoc fellowship. I had applied mostly hoping for feedback that would improve my application the following year. But comments from two reviewers made me rethink my plan to apply again—and even whether to continue in academia.
Falling Behind: Postdocs in Their Thirties Tire of Putting Life on Hold
Falling Behind: Postdocs in Their Thirties Tire of Putting Life on Hold
Temporary contracts, low salaries and cost-of-living hikes force many researchers to put off parenthood and other big decisions.
Europe Eyes Closer Research and Innovation Cooperation with Africa
Europe Eyes Closer Research and Innovation Cooperation with Africa
Africa is fast becoming a key priority on the EU's foreign policy agenda and research and innovation has a role to play in deepening the partnership - but investment and integrated strategies are needed to encourage more cooperation.
Being a Scientist: In the Name of Perseverance
Between honoring her immigrant family and making her children proud, a first-generation PhD student fights for her place in academia.
Among U.S. postdoc applicants, researchers of color often fare worst
Among U.S. postdoc applicants, researchers of color often fare worst
Many researchers of color are at a disadvantage when applying for postdoctoral positions. That’s one of the main findings of a new study of 22,098 applications for 769 scientific postdoc positions at nine U.S. universities.
EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition
EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition
The European Commission's long-awaited proposal to improve career pathways for researchers put forward last week is viewed an important step in the right direction, but advocates want to see more ambition and political pressure to usher in change.
EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers
EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers
The European Commission has announced three new measures aimed at improving career paths and working conditions for young researchers in the European Research Area (ERA). The proposal, put forward today by the Commission, includes a new European framework for research careers, a new charter for researchers and a new European competence framework for researchers.
Being a Scientist: Fleeing Iraq with Nothing but a Dream
Being a Scientist: Fleeing Iraq with Nothing but a Dream
Facing the harsh realities of life as a refugee in Jordan and the United States, an ambitious young man holds to a conviction: that he will, one day, get a PhD.
Fight Against Insecurity of Research Careers is About to Enter the Spotlight
Fight Against Insecurity of Research Careers is About to Enter the Spotlight
Half of postdocs say they don’t have access to social security and many don’t have permanent contracts either. Now campaigners are putting pressure on the EU to lean on member states to improve working conditions for Europe’s young scientists.
Little Transparency and Equity in Scientific Awards for Early- and Mid-career Researchers in Ecology and Evolution
Little Transparency and Equity in Scientific Awards for Early- and Mid-career Researchers in Ecology and Evolution
An analysis of the eligibility rules, assessment criteria and potential gender bias in best researcher and best paper awards from broad-scope ecology and evolution journals and societies shows a lack of assessment transparency, few attempts to foster equitable access and minimal consideration of open science.
Academia's Culture of Overwork Almost Broke Me, So I'm Working to Undo It
Academia's Culture of Overwork Almost Broke Me, So I'm Working to Undo It
For young immigrant women like me, the pressures of early career research are even greater than for most. But it doesn't have to be that way.
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