Miért (nem) pályaelhagyók a(z agrár)kutatók?

The aim of this study is to expand our knowledge about researchers' career abandonment by answering the following questions: Which are the segments where researchers are most likely to leave their research careers? What are the factors that facilitate or hinder career abandonment? I examined the responses of 117 researchers in a primary standardized questionnaire survey in the winter of 2022, which showed that those under 45, representatives of agricultural and biological sciences, and women are most likely to consider career abandonment. Based on the questionnaire survey, it can be confirmed that personal financial difficulties are the most discouraging factors for researchers. Representatives of agricultural and biological sciences also identified the lack of research resources and an unfair system as reasons. In addition to these three pressing problems, researchers highlighted 8 additional factors that have a moderately strong impact on their intention to leave their careers. With the help of factors supporting career abandonment, a line describing the career abandonment potential of both representatives of agricultural and biological sciences and respondents can be determined. In addition to the researchers, we explored the experiences and opinions of a total of 7 leaders of 3 agricultural research-oriented higher education institutions and research institutes on the topic in the framework of standardized in-depth interviews. The leaders also identified financial reasons as the primary reason, and they also identified gaining experience and the need for policy tasks as the main reasons for their intention to leave their careers. The leaders also discussed why, in their opinion, researchers remain in their careers despite the many negative factors. Although it is clear to managers that a researcher starting out on a career has an extremely bumpy path to follow, the opportunity for advancement, funding opportunities, internationalization, the institutional atmosphere, and regionality still keep most researchers on track.