Problems exist in research career development in the EU but these are being addressed, writes CONOR O'CARROLL
ONE OF THE great disadvantages for Europe in global research is the lack of coherence across borders. The US federal system means that, despite the high level of individual state autonomy, the research system is uniform. There is a common currency, no barriers to movement, common federal funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and a common career structure for researchers.
In contrast, Europe does not have this level of coherence despite many good efforts. There has been a sustained effort since 2000 to create the European Research Area where knowledge and people can move freely. Much has been achieved towards these goals through hard and soft law. The 2005 Third Country Directive required countries to introduce a fast-track immigration scheme for non-EU researchers. Although Ireland is a non-Schengen country we have signed up to this directive and it has been a very effective means to attract international researchers to universities and companies.
The 2005 European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their Recruitment lays out the rights and responsibilities of researchers. It takes the soft-law approach and invites universities, funding agencies and companies to adopt and implement the charter. This has been less successful, principally due to the fact that it covered a large number of issues from open and transparent recruitment to intellectual property rights. It was difficult to persuade organisations to sign up to such a wide range of requirements.
Since the partial failure of the charter and code, attention has turned to specific issues where agreement can be reached. There are no comparable research career structures across Europe. The labour market for researchers is fragmented nationally and there is segregation between careers in academia, industry and other sectors. Researchers, especially PhD students, may not be aware of the range of opportunities open to them in different employment sectors. Employers are not always aware of the competences that researchers possess and the benefits they could bring to their company.
Over the past two years there has been ongoing work with the European Commission to develop a pan-European career framework for researchers. I chaired a working group with participants from the European University Association, European Science Foundation, League of European Research Universities, Microsoft, Siemens and BMW.
Along with representatives from all EU countries and the EC, we have recently agreed a European Framework for Research Careers with four categories. The purpose of the framework is to capture the essential and necessary competences of researchers at different career stages. The First Stage Researcher is for doctoral candidates, followed by Recognised Researcher for those with a PhD but who are not yet considered fully independent (often called “postdocs”). The category of Established Researcher is for those who conduct research independently and publish as lead author. The fourth category, Leading Researcher, is reserved for those with an international reputation based on research excellence. The full details will be available soon on the Euraxess Ireland website (euraxess.ie).
In Ireland, we do not have a single national research career structure. There are clear recommendations from the Higher Education Research Group and the Advisory Service Council. They all map directly to the agreed European Framework.
The framework is intended to apply to all researchers, independent of where they work in the private or public sector. Its purpose is to provide a reference point for researchers and employers. This is not an attempt to create a new uniform career structure across Europe. For example, the framework could help researchers identify job opportunities close to their individual profile in different countries and diverse employment sectors.
Although the framework has just been agreed by all European countries, it is still in a pilot phase. Much information needs to be gathered which will provide examples of research careers across Europe. The target for achieving the free movement of researchers and knowledge is set for 2014. While there is still much to be done, the European Framework for Research Careers is a step in the right direction.
Conor O’Carroll is research director in the Irish Universities Association iua.ie