Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lhe) – According to a reform proposal, young scientists should no longer have to shimmy from one fixed-term position to the next. However, when reforming the science contract law, one must also keep an eye on possible negative effects of the current proposals and name them, says the President of Frankfurt’s Goethe University, Enrico Schleiff.
“Very high, not to say too high, expectations are placed on the law. It will not solve the fundamental problems,” says Schleiff of the German Press Agency. He would also be “very depressed” by chain contracts. Employing young people only on a monthly basis is “irresponsible”. However, one should not lose sight of the actual goal of the reform. “And that means creating good conditions for young scientists to start a university career.”
The Science Time Contract Act regulates the issue of fixed-term employment contracts at universities and research institutions. The law has long been criticized because in practice many junior staff have to wiggle from one fixed-term employment contract to the next. Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) has now presented proposals for a reform. Among other things, it is planned that employees after a doctorate may only be employed for a maximum of three years.
“The problem is that the law means that there is not a single permanent position anymore,” said Schleiff of the dpa. Anyone who calls for young scientists to be employed immediately must also say how new positions can be financed. Without that, every permanent position means “that the position is occupied for the next 30 years”. As a result, fewer young researchers would have a chance of working at a university than today. “And that means more good people are going into the industry.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:230520-99-758410/2
2023-05-20 14:16:59
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