PhD Survey

The doctoral phase is a key stage of qualification in the academic system, but for many doctoral candidates it is characterised by structural deficits. This dossier identifies four key areas of action in which targeted measures are needed to improve doctoral conditions: (1) structural discrimination, (2) supervision and academic quality assurance, (3) equality and diversity, and (4) social and labour law conditions.

In the area of discrimination, there is a lack of low-threshold, independent complaint structures and effective protection mechanisms. A key concern is therefore the establishment of a functioning anti-discrimination culture at universities and research institutions.

The supervision situation is often opaque, random and characterised by power imbalances. The dossier calls for binding, quality-assured supervision agreements, supplemented by mandatory training opportunities for supervisors and regular evaluations.

To promote equality and diversity, systematic data collection is recommended in order to highlight structural barriers. At the same time, target agreements, support programmes and institutional incentives should ensure diversity-oriented personnel development and fair selection procedures.

In terms of social and labour law conditions, the high proportion of precarious employment relationships is criticised. There are calls for a minimum contract term based on the planned duration of the doctorate, as well as equal treatment of doctoral candidates with scholarships and employed doctoral candidates in social and labour law matters.

Overall, the survey concludes that there is a concrete need for action with regard to doctoral conditions. The university offers a solid basis for this, but there is room for improvement at almost all levels. In addition to non-discriminatory cooperation, this also includes work on structural challenges. No doctoral programme is without its problems, and addressing these problems is a joint task. Only in this way can the university maintain and expand its appeal to young academics.

The dossier underlines the urgency of an overall strategy for structural improvement of the doctoral phase and presents differentiated, implementable proposals for measures to this end.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version), edited by Eberhard Gade