Advancing research careers across Europe

The leading universities of science and technology united within CESAER have today published a new report ‘Advancing research careers across Europe’, presenting case studies from CESAER Members that illustrate concrete actions to strengthen research career stability, improve recruitment practices, and enhance support for early-career researchers.

• The report is available here for download and dissemination (PDF).

Ena Voûte, Vice President of CESAER and Pro Vice Rector International Affairs at Delft University of Technology, said:

"Across CESAER Members, universities of science and technology are already demonstrating what effective research career systems look like in practice. From structured career development and transparent recruitment to integrated support for mobility and wellbeing, these examples show that improving research careers is not an abstract ambition, it is an operational reality. The priority now is to scale and sustain these approaches across Europe."

Manuel Heitor, CESAER Envoy on Research Careers 2023–2025, Co-Chair of CESAER Task Force Human Resources 2024-2025 and Full Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico, said:

"Europe faces a persistent research brain drain, undermining its ability to compete globally in science and technology. Evidence shows the research workforce is growing, and universities are innovating with long-term career pathways and co-funding schemes. On the other hand, others remain locked in precarious, project-based hiring, as reliance on temporary contracts still exists widely, with significant disparities across countries and institutions.

This uneven landscape limits Europe’s ability to attract and retain talent. To reverse this trend, three priorities are essential: an effective European Research Careers Observatory to monitor job quality and mobility, reform of research assessment, and stronger EU–national co-funding mechanisms for sustainable careers. In this context, a bold “Choose Europe” initiative is crucial to make Europe a magnet for research talent from within Europe and globally."

Vincent Klein Ikkink, Advisor for Research at CESAER, said:

"The case studies highlight that strong research careers are built within dynamic ecosystems, where universities, industry and public actors work together to create diverse career pathways. Enabling researchers to move seamlessly between sectors, and recognising a broad range of career outcomes, is essential to unlocking the full impact of Europe’s research and innovation system and ensuring that talent thrives within Europe."

The report builds on and complements CESAER’s 2024 report ‘Research careers: A critical choice for Europe’.

For more information, please contact the CESAER Secretariat.