Universities need to take better care of their young researchers

“The position of postdoc researchers is vulnerable. They need support”, concludes Rathenau Institute in a study into young researchers working at universities and university medical centres.

The report echoes previous conclusions by the OECD. In 2021, the international organisation for economic collaboration and development observed that young researchers are often working under temporary contracts. The pressure is high to publish results and acquire research funds. Otherwise, they are not able to stay in academia.

Supervision
In the past few years, the Dutch government has strived for more fixed funding and more permanent jobs in higher education. Whether starting researchers are already noticing this in practice isn’t made clear in the report. 

Rathenau Institute previously researched what drives researchers and teachers (report in Dutch, Ed,). Based on the results, the institute stated that academia needs to pay more attention to young researchers. Apart from postdocs,  Rathenau Institute also involved PhD candidates and researchers in higher vocational education in the study. 

Postdocs and PhD candidates would benefit from better supervision and more clarity concerning the demands they must meet. Rathenau cites previous research showing that good supervision contributes to fewer mental health problems among PhD candidates and postdocs.

Recognition and rewards
Universities should also “offer more contract extensions to postdocs in case their project is delayed by causes such as pregnancy or disease”, the report reads. 

Insecurity about career perspectives is taking a heavy toll on postdocs' private lives, affirms Rathenau Institute. Many delay or give up on plans to buy a house and women delay having children. Even social contacts, sports activities and hobbies are put on the back burner. 

Postdocs and PhD candidates say they haven’t the Recognition & Rewards scheme hasn't yet trickled down to them. Launched in 2019, this project aims to ensure that scientists feel less pressured to publish. It also aims to properly recognise activities other than research, such as teaching. Half of the PhD candidates surveyed by Rathenau are not even aware of the scheme's existence. In some cases, their supervisors tell them that Recognition & Rewards doesn’t apply to them.