Resources
To assess the impact of the new migration reform on non-EU/EEA researchers working in Sweden, the Doctoral Students Committee of the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS-DK), the Swedish Network of Postdoc Associations (SNPA) and National Junior Faculty of Sweden (NJF) surveyed the current residence status, Swedish proficiency, and employment conditions of doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, senior researchers, and junior faculty members within academia. The full survey report can be found here.
Precarious conditions are not just a professional concern – they also harm scientific excellence, according to Mathew Tata, who suggests that HEIs that cannot recruit researchers on decent conditions should not hire at all.
Written by Mathew Tata for Universitätsläraren in May 2021.
Universitetsläraren is the members’ magazine of SULF, The Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers. The magazine is editorially independent from the labour union, and covers all types issues relevant to Swedish academia: higher education and research policy, working conditions, career paths, pedagogy, academic freedom etc.
If this interests you, please sign up here for Universitetsläraren’s monthly newsletter in English starting February 11th.
The Swedish government and higher education authorities must provide clearer policies to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on postdoctoral students, according to the Swedish Network of Postdoc Associations (SNPA).
Written by Paul Connolly for Research Professional in February 2021.
Many postdocs are affected by the corona pandemic. The short contracts mean that delays in work hit extra hard. Others are doing relatively well and have found ways to deal with the problems, but more and more people can end up in a critical situation the longer the pandemic continues.
Written by Per-Olof Eliasson for Universitätsläraren in January 2021.
This second part of the survey concerning the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on postdocs in Sweden examines different trends based on demographic or academic background. Specifically, we explore responses based on gender, nationality, institution, contract type, discipline of research and career stage. Read more in the report here.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected postdocs in Sweden. Major issues for postdocs in Sweden include the expiration of current contracts and grants, as well as arrested career progression. Based on our report, we outline a short set of recommendations for institutions, funders, agencies and stakeholders in Sweden to implement, to support researchers’ projects and careers. Read more insights in the full report here.
Establishing oneself as an independent researcher is considered the primary target in the academic career path. In this survey, postdoctoral researchers in Sweden highlight difficulties in establishing independence from limited grant funding, inadequate guidance and unequal support. Read more in our report here.
Invisible within the system. That’s how several postdocs describe themselves in Swedish academia, The SNPA, KIPA, SLUPA, UUPA, and others speak to Universitetsläraren about the widespread issues and what we are doing to make our voices heard.
Written by Kajsa Skarsgård for Universitetsläraren in May 2020. Illustration: Robert Hilmersson
The Postdoc X-ray in Europe was featured in Nature Careers News in February 2019.
SNPA, with its partner, the ENPA, conducted this survey of postdoctoral researchers from across Europe. It revealed that low pay, long hours and contractual barriers to obtaining outside work could jeopardize or hamper scientists’ future employability.