Dual-career couples in Germany
Dual-career couples in academia: challenges, programmes, tips
Some universities set up dual career offices to help the partners of top researchers to find a job © PeopleImages / iStock.com
Couples in which both partners are pursuing careers in academia or research face particular challenges in the job search, finding housing and establishing a healthy balance between work and family. Dual-career services, programmes and networks offer support.
Updated: 2024-11-11
Dual-career couples in academia: definition
Dual-Career Couples in academia are partnerships in which both partners possess an academic background and are actively pursuing careers within the scientific community. These couples, however, face a multitude of challenges, particularly when it comes to striking a balance between work and family life.
Challenges for dual-career couples in academia
One of the most significant difficulties for dual-career couples in academia is the limited availability of positions that allow both partners to be employed at the same institution or within the same region. It is frequently the case that one partner must put their career on hold or even abandon it altogether, leading not only to professional frustration but also to strain on the relationship.
Relocations are also common in academia, particularly due to the prevalence of temporary contracts. This adds to the uncertainty that many families face and places additional stress on relationships. While some of that stress can be alleviated through the careful planning and coordination of careers, perfect alignment isn't always possible. When one partner accepts a new position, for example, the other partner may be unable to find an attractive position or a position that is commensurate with their academic standing.
Societal expectations and the need to balance work and family life exacerbate these challenges. Women in dual-career couples are particularly affected, as they often bear the primary responsibility for coordinating work and family life. According to the “Second Gender Equality Report” released by the German government in 2024, women spend 44.3 percent more time on care tasks than men each day.
Dual- career programmes – essential for the attractiveness of Germany as a science hub
Special dual- career programmes and support services offered by universities are essential for addressing these challenges. They aim to promote the career prospects of partners of newly hired academics. These programmes are often situated within equality offices or dedicated service centres of institutions and offer a variety of services to facilitate the integration of partners into the local job market.
Typically, dual- career programmes offer the following support services:
- Individualised career counselling: Assistance in developing a tailored application strategy and coaching to improve application documents.
- Relocation assistance: Advice and support in finding housing and childcare in addition to, for international academics, assistance with visas and residence permits and with language courses.
- Job search assistance: Help in identifying potential employers and job openings that match the partner’s qualifications and interests.
- Networking: Access to networks and events that promote exchange between dual- career couples and facilitate contacts with companies and institutions in the region.
- Work-life balance counselling: Support in balancing professional and family life, including information on childcare and educational facilities in the area.
An exemplary dual-career programme in Germany is the the one offered by the Technical University of Munich (TUM): The Munich Dual Career Office offers a comprehensive programme that includes not only individualised career counselling, but also workshops for networking. This enables partners to exchange ideas with other academics and establish valuable contacts.
The Dual Career Netzwerk Germany (DCND)
Founded in 2010, the Dual Career Netzwerk Germany (DCND) aims to support scientific institutions and their dual-career centres in optimising the quality and professionalism of the services they offer dual-career couples. Doing so improves their “strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, promoting families and ensuring equal opportunities” based on common quality standards, such as targeted training for staff. The DCND now unites more than 50 regional and several supra-regional networks. Members include universities and other institutions of higher education, research institutes and academic associations, as well as organisations from the non-profit sector and the public sector.
Tips for contract negotiations with employers
When being hired or undergoing contractual changes, academics should not hesitate to proactively negotiate with their employer regarding the needs of their partner. The following aspects should be considered:
In addition to individually negotiable performance or research allowances, flexible working hours for research and teaching obligations, the possibility of working from home, and support in the partner’s job search can also be included in the negotiations. Mentoring programmes or special workshops on career development or time- and self-management can also be discussed.
Good preparation for the discussion and open communication during it are essential to adequately address the needs of the academic couple. Employers are often willing to find solutions if they understand the challenges faced by dual-career couples and recognise how specific measures can contribute to an attractive working environment. Employers, after all, are eager to retain good academics in the long term and promote employee satisfaction. It should be clearly argued which measures are necessary and what benefits the employer will gain from them.
Strategies for successful career planning for couples in academia
It is inevitable that every working couple will have to consider questions pertaining to career planning and sharing child-care responsibilities. This is particularly relevant for couples in academia. We have assembled a few tips:
Joint goal setting: It is essential to hold regular discussions to define both individual and joint career goals. Academic ambitions, research interests and potential teaching commitments must be considered. Furthermore, it is crucial that such discussions also look at long-term perspectives, such as plans for third-party funding applications, the prospect of a professorship or even the desire to have children.
A clear division of household and childcare responsibilities can help reduce stress levels. Couples in academia should discuss and agree on a division of tasks to ensure that both partners have sufficient time for research, teaching and writing publications. In certain cases, the use of external support, such as domestic help or childcare, may be a viable option.
Effective time management is essential. Digital tools, such as shared calendars or project management software, can assist in tracking appointments and commitments.
Networking: Exchanging ideas with other dual-career couples in academia can provide valuable insights and support. How do other academic couples organize themselves? Where might there be good support or advice? Participation in relevant network meetings – at the university, regionally or even (inter)nationally – can not only provide valuable impetus at a private level, but also offers the opportunity to network with potential employers or cooperation partner
An overview of dual-career networks
Dual Career Service Region Stuttgart: This network supports companies in the Stuttgart region in providing assistance to professionals and their partners with professional integration. It offers advice, information about the regional job market, networking events, and application training.
Dual Career Service – Karlsruhe: Initiated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), this network provides help with the job search and support for integrating into the Karlsruhe region. It includes numerous local educational institutions and research institutes.
Dual Career Network Hamburg + der Norden: This network consists of almost 30 scientific institutions in the Hamburg metropolitan area and aims to attract top talent to the region.
Dual Career Network Rhineland: This is an association of 14 scientific institutions in the Rhineland region in western Germany. It supports dual- career couples by providing individualised career and application advice, information on employment opportunities with network members and in the regional job market, and the mediation of job-related contacts.
Dual Career Netzwerk Region Passau: The relatively young network, which includes the University of Passau and the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, offers dual-career couples support in the job search through job matching, individualised counselling, access to a network of companies and institutions in the region, as well as regular networking events to promote exchange among members.
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