‘With a rope around their neck’: grant researchers living in suspended time

Abstract

This paper identifies the relevance of developing further studies of academic/scientific identities at work. Qualitative analysis of interviews with junior researchers and contextual statistical data are used to examine the processes of identity construction in the pursuit of establishing both recognised status in scientific and research systems and a more rewarding and stable professional life path.

Developing human capital and research capacity: Science policies promoting brain gain

“…3 do not include doctorate researchers independent of traditional academic careers. These doctorate holders have been critical for the development of Portuguese research capacity and the increasing scientific productivity of most research units and institutes, despite their temporary and insecure employment situation [31]. It is clear that they are liable to move from one institution to another and help to reduce levels of inbreeding in the oldest university schools [32].…”

The generational gap of science: a dynamic cluster analysis of doctorates in an evolving scientific system

“…This also suggests the traditional academic labor market in Portugal is becoming increasingly constrained (Araújo 2009), even if the teaching staff qualification at Portuguese higher education institutions is still low (Heitor et al 2014). Another example of the relevance of the postdoctoral positions is that most Mobiles of 1996-2005 who did not maintain their Mobile membership (63.96 % of them) went on to the ''hybrid'' Mobile Post-Docs cluster (19.94 %).…”

“…Cluster 2 ''juniors'' is comprised of relatively recent doctorates who have never left academia, most of whom are on their first job. Cluster 4 refers to the ''post-doctorate'' cluster, that is, those with a much longer postdoc duration due to extensions in the time of the first postdoc or from moving from one postdoctoral position to another, waiting for a more stable position (see Araújo 2009). This is reflected in the longer time (save for cluster 7) taken by these doctorates to complete their PhD degrees.…”

The project (management) discourse and its consequences: on vulnerability and unsustainability in project‐based work

“…For example, projectification often tends to result in rebureaucratisation rather than procedural freedom (Clegg and Courpasson, 2004;Räisänen and Linde, 2004;Hodgson, 2005), control rather than trust (Hodgson, 2004), masculinisation rather than femininisation (Lindgren and Packendorff, 2006;Styhre, 2011), and short-term delusion rather than long-term usefulness (Flyvbjerg et al, 2003). Success and prosperity in the projectified society become closely linked to being available, flexible and connected, while sacrificing lifelong plans, stable conditions and social predictability (Chiapello and Fairclough, 2002;Araújo, 2009).…”