Science reforms in the standstill: Where are the new career paths?

Science reforms in the standstill: Where are the new career paths?

The traffic light coalition has set itself ambitious goals to promote alternative career opportunities in the academic field. In one of his coalition contracts, a federal-state program refers to reducing waiting times and uncertainties for scientists. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether these measures will still be effective within the current legislative period, since the progress is rather slow.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) recently pointed out in a report that not only national but also international standards for career development in the scientific field are required. To achieve this, the ministry has initiated an informal dialogue with various interest groups. It was emphasized that the introduction of more permanent positions cannot be considered isolated, but that fundamental changes in the personnel structure are necessary. These changes are up to the countries, but at the same time uniform standards are necessary nationwide to minimize the diversity and inconsistency of the positions.

Reform process stalls

In a joint meeting of the federal states, there was no agreement on the desired reforms. At the meeting of the Joint Science Conference (GWK) on July 12, 2024, Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger put an open reform process for discussion. But the countries rejected this, which again caused the BMBF to push the failed initiative to the countries.

At the request of "research & teaching", representatives of the federal states replied that no substantial reform proposal had been presented to them. Jakob von Weizsäcker, the Saarland Minister of Science, criticized the information that the information was inadequate and incomplete. This is also not used enough for an effective discourse.

In Lower Saxony, advice is already being discussed internally about which new job categories can be integrated in the universities. Minister of Science Falko Mohrs said that there was a common agreement with the universities to improve the conditions for employees in the science area. A code for "good work" is developed for this. In the course of the planned amendment to the Lower Saxony University Act, new job categories should also be under discussion.

Future of the reforms in the waiting loop

The first meeting of the Science Ministers' Conference is scheduled for November 21. This will offer the opportunity to discuss the first approaches to the desired reforms. However, there could still be delays. Minister Markus Blume from Bavaria said that there can be no advice on the long -term positions before the recommendations of the Science Council. According to the BMBF, these recommendations should not be available until spring 2025, which speaks for a hiatus in the reforms, while younger scientists still have to wait for clear perspectives for their careers.

The current situation leads to an intensive debate about the future of science careers in Germany and asks the question of whether the desired reforms can be implemented in good time. It remains to be seen how the further conversations between the federal states and the federal government will run, As reported www.forschung-und-lehre.de.