Stefanie Eyerich's career went like clockwork: a degree in biology in Munich, a doctorate at the Centre of Allergy & Environment, one year as a postdoc in London and one in Munich, and since the start of the year, leadership of a junior research group at the German Research Center for Environmental Health. Eyerich conducts biological basic research and specialises in allergic reactions of the skin. "I always wanted to know how diseases work," says the 35-year-old. She sees the biggest disadvantage of a career in academia in the lack of certainty. She did not shy from the risk though, and instead confronted it head-on with a great deal of courage and determination. "I was extremely lucky though, and the next move has always immediately presented itself," says the biologist.
Very few have a similar experience to Stefanie Eyerich though. While the number of postdoc positions is growing, Sibylle Baumbach of the German Young Academy warns of setting one's hopes too high: "Latest after the postdoc phase, the prospects are extremely bad. The competition gets even tougher, and the number of positions dwindles." The rise in funding for postdocs emits the wrong signal if opportunities for the time after this are not created at the same time, Baumbach warns.
Fixed-term contracts make planning difficult
One further problem is that the content, duration and parameters for the postdoc phase are not defined. "Post-doctoral studies are academic activity for a limited period of time at a research institution after completing a doctorate," explains university researcher René Krempkow. "It is often a transition phase serving further academic qualification." According to the expert, the postdoc phase ideally should not last more than two to four years, however some young scientists remain stuck in postdoc positions far too long. Krempkow sees the tendency towards fixed-term employment as a major hurdle: "While the law on fixed-term contracts in higher education and research (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz) limits fixed-term employment in academia after completing the doctorate to six years," he says, "at research organisations funded by third parties, it is still possible to be considered a 'young scientist' far beyond the age of 40."
The outcome is an inability to plan and a great deal of uncertainty about the future. "This occurs in the phase in life in which the basis for your professional and private lives is set," explains Anjana Buckow from the German Research Foundation (DFG). The postdoc phase can serve as a useful transition phase though, and does not need to be a "parking" position. "Valuable experience can be gained during this time - through to academic independence," Buckow adds.