Young scholars should not be required to move institutions or countries to advance their job prospects, according to proposed “minimum standards” for research careers that also recommend harmonising salaries across Europe.
Organisations that fund or carry out research should also encourage career breaks and time away from academia, according to the document put together by Science Europe.
James Morris, a senior policy officer at the advocacy group representing research organisations across the continent, told Times Higher Education that research cultures in Europe often encourage PhD and postdoctoral students to relocate or change institutions for career progression, but he warned that this can push out young academics who want to start families.
“Mobility is seen as an important component of a researcher’s CV. It’s valued in assessment processes, which is great, but there is a need to look into the details,” Morris said.
“It’s important to ask, what were the experiences you gained through mobility? And also to not discount researchers who have stayed at one institution because they might have had equally important experiences gained through other ways, rather than mobility.”
