Recruitment and Careers of Early Career Researchers:

Results from the CRESTPeer Learning Activity

Diane BoulayRapporteur, CREST Working Group on universities and follow-up PLA Activities

CHE Forum / Cologne / 12 April 2011

Presentation Overview Introduction Context (CREST*) Format (OMC & PLA) Focus Main Outcomes:« Dublin PLA Charter » Main Outcomes: Good Practices The Way Forward

*CREST ERAC – the European Research Area Committee

Introduction Global Shifts-growing need for qualified researchers-strategies needed to attract and keep the « best » researchers -financial and legal provisions -Anglophone influence…(US/Britain)-…and the Emerging Giants (China/India)

European Context-rapid increase in PhD candidates & Early Career Researchers (ECRs)-need for political commitment to build up competence-lag in the perception of roles and prospects from industry and employers-Employment often difficult-reforms needed to provide better support:

broader research ecosystems (outdated career structures) change rigid frames for fixed term contracts & precarious

conditions remove obstacles to mobility lack of flexibility & harmonization across Europe

Context CREST: -scientifc expert advisory committee to the Commission-assists with tasks in research and technological development-set up in the early 1970s-name change to ERAC : 26 May 2010

4th OMC Working Group:‘mutual learning to approaches to improve the excellence of research in universities’ (Feb 2008-March 2009)

Follow-up: Peer learning activity series with a focus on policy instruments and reform initiatives within the research and university area (Sept 2009-Dec 2010)

CREST 4th OMC Working Group Final Report

Format Open Method of Coordination (OMC) – in

the form of Peer Learning Activities (PLAs) (learning from each other to improve R&I policies)

5 PLAs across Europe (Feb–Sept 2010) covering topics relevant to improving the excellence of research in universities:

-reform of the institutional structure-world class excellence-capacity building-costing of research activities-early career researchers

Focus

Early Career Researchers: Recruitment & Careers

Ireland (Dublin), 8-11 June 2010

Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

Focus

Discussion Topics

1. how to enhance researchers’ skills & career development

2. how to improve status & employment conditions

3. how to ensure transparent researchcareer development

Main Outcomes

A) The « Dublin PLA Charter »

B) Good Practices: Country ExamplesBelgiumIrelandNorwaySwitzerland

Main Outcome: The « Dublin PLA Charter »

Based on the idea of the European « Charter and Code » (2005)

Researchers (people) need to be the focus Identified policy messages in these areas:

Optimal skills development & training of PhDs

Career development and links with industry Best practices in recruitment Status & conditions for ERCs

The « Dublin PLA Charter »: Policy Messages

Optimal Skills Development & Training of PhDs

-Skills & training should be: integral part of PhD, with support & systematic approach to developing professional qualifications

-Keep RESEARCH at the core of training-HEIs should offer appropriate recognition of skills-Structured PhDs should be promoted-«Inverted-T» is a good general model to align PhD

skills development with the needs of the economy

Inverted-T Model for Researcher Skills

Crowning pillar: Special expertise

Bottom base: Broad discipline skills

Middle cushion: Transferable (generic) skills

The « Dublin PLA Charter »:Policy Messages

Career development and links with industry-transparency of career paths (qualification contracts)-researcher involvement in insitutional governance-support of researcher associations-incorporate EU « Charter and Code »-empirical data on career outcomes needed-recognition of PhD value added (communication with

the private sector; -industry involvement early on)-career guidance improvements-mentoring models

The « Dublin PLA Charter »:Policy Messages

Career development and links with industry-right mix of skills for employment-establishment of competence centers-open and diverse career paths; systematic HR

development with a view of careers outside academia

-PhD programmes co-funded by industry (IE)-improved interaction between HEIs and industry and

mutual exchange mechanisms

The « Dublin PLA Charter »:Policy Messages

Best practices in recruitment-active and targeted recruitment-demonstration of the added valued of a PhD-framework conditions improved-task & research related conditions improved-conditions related to future prospects

The « Dublin PLA Charter »:Policy Messages

Status & conditions for ERCs-status of researchers within HEIs-introduction of more flexible contracts-give PhD candidates employee & student benefits-limit unstable career perspectives & employment

insecurity-post docs: opening of access to funding programs-intra-university flexibility-mobility information more transparent -support mechanisms for PhD candidates

Good Practice: Belgium

Employment Conditions

- Good level of scholarships and salaries

- « researcher status » of young post docs

- Entitles to both employee and studentbenefits

Good Practice: Ireland

Targeted funding instrument: PRTLI

Collaboration with Industry-Irish Enterprise Partnership Scheme: involves

industry in the PhD training process

Structured PhD-enhances researchers’ skills and development-important for the ERA to attract foreign researchers,

support the knowlege & innovation society-alternative models should be developed

Good Practice: Norway

Recruitment Procedures-active and targeted during open calls-talented individuals are headhunted

Career development(bottom-up practices at University of Oslo):-development of researcher «hot houses »-new HR strategy / action plan

Good Practice: Switzerland

Skills and Training-doctoral education as a key concern,

multidisplinarity and diversity valued as assets

-model for mentoring: PhD candidates are both mentored and learn to mentor others

(« Teach the Teachers »)-supervision (co-direction)

The Way Forward

Greater harmonization across EuropeImproved researcher conditionsOpen recruitmentSkills trainingIncreased flexibility Opportunities for (international) mobilityDevelopment of strong research and mentorship skills Collaboration with industry for career developmentResearcher presence in the policy development process

For a robust and sustainable early career researcher system:

Thank you for your attention!

Report & further information(currently on the website of the Danish Ministry of

Science, Technology & Innovation):

www.ubst.dk/en/international-cooperation/eu-crest-peer-learning-

activities-on-universities