Auf dem Weg zum „Traumjob Wissenschaft“ – Zwischenbilanz und Perspektiven

The employment conditions for scientists in German universities and research institutions, characterised by increasing numbers of fixed-term contracts with ever shorter durations, and the one-dimensionality of career paths focused exclusively on professorships, gave rise to the German Union for Education and Science starting the ‘dream job in research’ campaign in 2010. This article reports on the central demands, the various stages and future perspectives of the campaign. A partial success was demonstrated by the Law on Temporary Employment Contracts in Science (WissZeitVG) which came into force in 2016. However, transferring law into practice still remains a challenge. In addition, legislation and financial commitment on the part of the federal government are not sufficient; individual states must make full use of their creative leeway, and the universities and research institutions must commit themselves to creating better standards for employment conditions and the promotion of young scientists. It is not least a question of trade union scope and assertion whether future successes may be achieved.