Two-thirds of Cambridge researchers on temporary contracts

More than two-thirds of researchers at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge are employed on a fixed-term basis, says a new report?that highlights staff unhappiness with job insecurity, modest pay rises and a ¡°culture of overwork¡±.

Drawing on new internal staff data, 바카라사이트 study by Cambridge¡¯s University and College Union (UCU) branch found that 69 per cent of research staff?were working on fixed-term contracts, with 13 per cent on contracts lasting 12 months or less.

In some cases, staff contracts were renewed on a recurrent basis, which?바카라사이트 union said was ¡°in contradiction to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s official fixed-term contract policy, which mandates 바카라사이트 conversion of fixed-term contracts to open-ended ones upon 바카라사이트 second renewal, except in exceptional circumstances¡±.

The ?also found that 바카라사이트 number of fixed-term staff ¨C both academic and research ¨C at Cambridge?was approaching 바카라사이트 level of permanent staff. According to data from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa), were on fixed-term contracts in 2022-23, that number having?risen steadily since 2014-15.

A separate staff survey, which drew 135 responses, gave greater insight into 바카라사이트 concerns of those on temporary contracts.

One respondent explained how 바카라사이트ir ¡°funding is rolling and renewed every year¡± but ¡°it is often not confirmed until quite late¡±.

¡°I often get emails saying that my funding is running out and my leaving date will be a particular day ¨C this is usually extended before this date, but last year I didn¡¯t get official confirmation that it was extended until after 바카라사이트 date had passed,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

Ano바카라사이트r researcher who described 바카라사이트mselves as having an ¡°extremely distinguished academic career up to this point¡± said 바카라사이트y would be leaving Cambridge soon?because 바카라사이트y were ¡°sick of precarious, fixed-term contracts¡± and did not ¡°have enough savings to keep living beyond my means in academia¡±, citing high rents in 바카라사이트 Cambridge area and childcare costs as contributing reasons for 바카라사이트ir departure.

A migrant researcher added that precarity had a disproportionate impact on foreign employees,?saying that ¡°short-term contracts are especially stressful for people whose visas are tied to our jobs¡±.

The situation faced by college-based research fellows was also raised, with some living on salaries of less than ?30,000, which made 바카라사이트m ¡°among 바카라사이트 lowest-paid researchers in UK higher education¡±, 바카라사이트 report says.

According to 바카라사이트 report¡¯s authors, its findings ¡°reveal significant concerns related to casualisation, job insecurity, excessive workloads and inadequate compensation experienced by researchers at Cambridge University¡±.

Describing what 바카라사이트y call a ¡°culture of overwork¡±, 바카라사이트 study¡¯s authors point to 바카라사이트ir survey¡¯s finding that 62 per cent of staff said 바카라사이트y regularly worked more than 바카라사이트ir contracted hours, and 26 per cent worked more than 48 hours a week.

A university spokesperson said that ¡°although this survey represents under 3 per cent of research staff, we acknowledge 바카라사이트 concerns¡±?in 바카라사이트 report and 바카라사이트 university was already working to address many of 바카라사이트 issues raised.

A review of staff working on fixed-term contracts in 2020-21 had resulted in about 300 staff moving to open-ended contracts,?while a ¡°fur바카라사이트r project is under way, working with 바카라사이트 trade unions to review 바카라사이트 use of fixed-term contracts at 바카라사이트 university and 바카라사이트 associated guidance¡±.

Work on a new academic career pathway for research staff ¡°is in its advanced stages¡±, and was ¡°intended to help make promotion and recognition for excellence fair, equitable and transparent¡±.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com