Exzellente Hasardeurinnen. Beschäftigungsbedingungen, und Geschlechterungleichheit auf dem wissenschaftlichen Arbeitsmarkt

The number of qualified researchers in fixed-term positions has been growing, while at the same time the number of professors has remained more or less stable. This mismatch is especially challenging in terms of gender relations. Changing career and working conditions affect women scientists to a much greater degree than their male colleagues. Based on quantitative and qualitative data, the article explores gender specific inequalities of employment conditions and the persistence of these inequalities in the German “Excellence Initiative”. This prestigious research funding programme is aimed at promoting gender equality and it does offer attractive working conditions for women scientists. However, women suffer disadvantages even in funded institutions because the employment conditions lead to unequal opportunities. The uncertain predictability of an academic career is one of the main reasons for leaving the scientific career track and it is women who are especially dissatisfied with this aspect. Thus, a critical appraisal of the employment policies of universities is necessary, especially in the context of the “Excellence Initiative”.