PhD, postgraduate and early career
Early career publishing success is a reliable guide to whether scientists will succeed long term, concludes international study
Lacking profile or career reward, higher doctorates are being mothballed by UK universities. That is a pity for a credential that helps scholars build on the research potential of their PhD, says Andrew Shenton
How we describe research groups can shape how we lead them. It’s time we abandon images that normalise exploitation, says Anders Bach-Mortensen
Female early career scholars found to be ‘largely absent’ from higher-level governance structures in many European countries
‘Motherhood penalty’ sees female academics who have children less likely to secure a tenured position than their male counterparts, finds LSE study
Early data from Germany, France and elsewhere show rising interest from international researchers but experts warn that a lack of career progression could hamper efforts
In principle, permanent positions are awarded to the most deserving – but perceptions remain that, in reality, many universities value connections over merit. Phillip Haubrock describes his struggles to find a permanent position in Germany, while João Conde recounts how he finally secured one in Portugal
Pushing doctoral students to credit more senior academics on early publications has contributed to ‘ethical scandal hiding in plain sight’, says education professor
Leaders more qualified now than decade ago, with many boasting international experience, study finds
Proportion of doctoral graduates remaining in UK academia has fallen substantially as more enter industry or move abroad, according to a major longitudinal survey
As lay-offs continue elsewhere, postdocs’ inability to land permanent roles will block the pipeline of future faculty, Cambridge academics argue
UK-wide survey of university promotion policies reveals emphasis on PhD recruitment and completions, rather than the need for high-quality support
Major survey finds overall satisfaction levels rising despite pressures but concerns around financial difficulties, research culture and feedback remain
Country to vote whether to restrict immigration if numbers continue to grow, potentially affecting international students and researchers
Only 9.6 per cent of applicants awarded coveted Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowships, with many postdoctoral researchers saying the programme has become too competitive
National funder commits to another above-inflation increase of almost 5 per cent
English system that provides funding for less than cost of third of degrees, with repayment thresholds frozen below minimum wage, ‘no longer fit for purpose’
Ian Chapman tells MPs that some funding streams will be back online ‘in weeks’ amid uncertainty over impact of research changes
Quarter of institutions admit they don’t know if PhD candidates are working with AI, while only a small proportion say they are coming up with guidelines on its use
Doctoral candidates offered hybrid ‘stipend and salary’ studentships with significant teaching hours will struggle to balance competing pressures, union fears
Trump-imposed economic pressures should prompt us to confront the mismatch between PhD admissions and academic jobs, says Joshua Snider
‘Cynical’ seasoned scholars advise younger peers to pursue alternative employment, signalling ‘sustainability crisis’ for universities
Practice seen as a way to boost participation at higher levels of academia but critics say it could have the opposite effect
The fact that now-established academics survived a system built on overwork does not make it fair or well designed. We must change it, says Yu Tao
No evidence that people with a doctorate experience ‘significant wage penalties’, finds committee’s review of key visa route
Norwegian government celebrates fall in temporary employment rates but academics say they don’t reflect reality
Beijing’s drive for technological self-reliance blamed for high-pressure academic environment as data suggest more academics are struggling to cope
Decades-long freeze on London weighting is making PhD study unaffordable despite recent record stipend increase, student groups warn
Researcher says course at Sorbonne did not require clearance, but university decided to conduct screening anyway
Dean hopes new model for postgraduate study in Asia will influence education in the region more broadly
An open approach to knowledge and a kind, enabling manner help students go their own way but never feel alone, says Andrew Chadwick
Academic life was a lot simpler in the humanities and social sciences when simply finding a document guaranteed originality, says Disha
Aston and Leeds plan to create resources and training tools for students, supervisors and examiners
Responding to early-career researchers’ honest questions with accusations of misconduct is a travesty of open science, says Madeleine Pownall
Honest and open-ended conversations over how AI can be productively used in the learning journey are needed, not ChatGPT bans, says Ava Doherty
Failure to acknowledge how class operates within academia means many students still feel uncomfortable on campus, says Beth Johnson
Churning out so many PhD graduates into a weak academic labour market and marginalising innovative doctorates is immoral, says Ianis Matsoukas
Failure to explain how AI-aided academic writing is a form of plagiarism leaves graduate students horribly compromised, says E.M. Wolkovich
Economic reform begins with injecting order into the hotchpotch of research programmes, and enticing more locals into higher study, according to Australian body
Internal modelling released under Freedom of Information enquiry reveals extent of PhD scholarship cuts, with academics fearing impact could be greater still
Facing a thesis whose bibliography alone was longer than any essay I’d ever written, I was convinced that this time I’d gone too far, says Polly Penter
Teaching assistants have demanded fair pay for years but industrial action has made little progress. AI offers a significant raise, notes Michael Buehler
Around 200 doctorates funded across 10 university consortia in new model for arts and humanities postgraduate research funding
Leading university to review admissions policies and scholarships as part of institution-wide focus on postgraduate participation
Blurred line between staff and students could leave postgraduate researchers at greater risk
Doctoral schools, quality assurance and supervision guidelines all on the rise but question of staff or student status still not resolved, survey finds
UKRI’s largest proportional spender on PhDs will ensure transparency, access and geographical equity via its new schemes, says Christopher Smith
Better to remind candidates that a doctorate is an opportunity to find and articulate their own thoughts on what they care about most, says Les Back
Finnish researcher Sulo Roukka’s Europop dance anthem won the long-running contest showcasing scientists’ musical and dance talents
Stagnating government funding means tuition fee rises may be inevitable, says Japanese university leader
‘A poor communicator who ghosts me’: disaffected research students and supervisors have similar grievances about each other, survey reveals
Survey of UK doctoral examiners reveals disquiet over problematic PhD examiners keen to initiate emotionally charged intellectual exchanges
Average losses on doctoral training of over 50 per cent seen as ‘underestimate’, with gaps plugged by overseas student fees and quality-related funding
Reforms to boost opportunities for those just starting out could have the opposite effect, observers warn
Employment rates for PhD holders reach record low in South Korea, with younger researchers most affected
Australian department ‘not aware’ of computer ‘bug’ that applicants blame for torpedoing their PhD dreams
Regular breaks, mock vivas and introducing an online option among other recommendations made by review that aims to combat ‘gladiatorial approach’
Domestic postgraduate provision looms as an alternative to out-of-favour international education, but it’s a tough market with questionable returns
‘Endless stress’ confronts Iranian doctoral candidates who worked for a year just to cover the application fee
Collating information from LinkedIn, ORCID profiles, Hesa and HMRC could solve data black hole over PhD careers, says research director
