BuWiK 2025

Introduction

Early career researchers contribute significantly to scientific and societal progress and innovation even during their qualification phases, such as doctoral and post- doctoral studies. At the same time, their qualification is essential to meet the growing demand for highly skilled professionals in the modern knowledge society. It is thus especially important to report on the situation of early career researchers.

The purpose of the National Report on Early Career Researchers (Bundesbericht Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler in einer frühen Karrierephase – BuWiK) is to process and analyse current findings and data relating to early career academics in Germany and to make such data available for research. This report serves as a source of foundational empirical knowledge for the academic community, as well as a resource for Germany’s federal and state governments, scientific institutions and funding organisations. Furthermore, this report offers a valuable point of reference for early career researchers themselves.

The National Report 2025 comprises four sections (A to D). Section A outlines the general conditions for the qualification of early career researchers and describes the methodologies used in the report. Section B presents statistical data and the latest research findings on the number of early career researchers (Chapter B1), their working and employment conditions (Chapter B2), qualification requirements during their doctoral studies and transitions into further training (Chapter B3) and the career paths and prospects of young academics after completing their doctorate (Chapter B4). It also covers fixed- term contracts in academic employment (Chapter B5), the compatibility of family life and an academic career (Chapter B6) and the international status and international mobility of early career researchers (Chapter B7). Finally, Chapter B8 examines the impact of the pandemic on early career researchers.

Previous National Reports each focused on a different aspect of early career researchers:

• International comparison of professional qualifications (2008)
• Career prospects and career trajectories following doctoral studies (2013)
• The compatibility of family life and an academic career (2017)
• Career paths pursued by doctorate holders (2021)

The central topic of the National Report 2025 is “Establishing tenure track professorships”. Section C of the report describes the development of the joint programme by the federal government and federal states and the corresponding science policy discourse (Chapter C1). Subsequently, it examines the impact of introducing and establishing the tenure track professorship in Germany on the following:

• The staff structure and career system at universities (Chapter C2),
• The further development of the regulatory framework (Chapter C3) and
• Established decision- making processes and procedures at universities (Chapter C4).

Furthermore, the attractiveness of the tenure track professorship career path is examined in an international comparison (Chapter C5), contrasting the situation in Germany with that in Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Section D concludes the report by identifying research desiderata (Chapter D1), outlining perspectives for the further development of data and concepts (Chapter D2) and proposing ideas for expanding the report in the future (Chapter D3).

As this is a national report, the following statements focus on developments throughout Germany. As in previous reports, the perspective of individual universities, non- university research institutes (NURI) and the specific situation in Germany’s federal states can only be considered on a case- by- case basis. Typically, data on the universities and NURI is presented in summarised form. Where feasible and appropriate, the findings continue to be shown separately by sex, training and career phase, and subject group.