Trade unions, student and employee representatives are calling for comprehensive innovations for plannable careers in science beyond the planned reform of the so-called Science Time Contract Act. The reform proposals presented by the Ministry of Education alleviate at most symptoms of the fixed-term system, but promise no cure, according to a joint declaration signed by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), among others.

Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) presented proposals for a reform of the science contract law last Friday. Since 2007, it has regulated the issue of fixed-term employment contracts at universities and research institutions. The law has long been criticized because in practice many young scientists have to wiggle from one fixed-term contract to the next.

Young scientists are at risk of losing their jobs much earlier

Stark-Watzinger now proposes, among other things, that employees after a doctorate in the so-called postdoc phase should only be employed for a maximum of three years instead of a maximum of six years. According to the trade unions, without clear guidelines for a permanent position afterwards, young scientists are at risk of losing their jobs three years earlier. For the time after the doctorate, they therefore demand either permanent employment or temporary employment, which, however, is provided with a promise to lift the time limit if certain predetermined conditions are met.

"A comprehensive and well thought-out strategy is needed to create more permanent positions, fair and gender-equitable employment conditions and predictable career paths for teachers and researchers in the German science system," says the statement. The ministry's proposals are not yet the last word. It will be a while before the bill is finalized. According to its State Secretary Jens Brandenburg (FDP), the Ministry of Education has initially invited the associations concerned to a further discussion for next Thursday.