Junior researchers play an important role in the knowledge economy, both in terms of knowledge development and knowledge transfer within and beyond the academic sector. Approximately 9 out of 10 junior researchers at the Flemish universities are conducting doctoral research. The Flemish government monitors the performance, well-being and career choices of junior researchers with the aim of optimizing skill and knowledge development, ensuring the successful completion of (doctoral) research and promoting the sustainable employability of acquired expertise within the Flemish economy.
Findings concerning the careers of junior researchers are based on the Human Resources in Research Flanders (HRRF, annual since 1991), the Survey of Junior Researchers (SJR, conducted every five years, 2008-2013-2018-2023), and theme-specific studies (e.g. added value of a doctorate, entrepreneurship). Optimal use is also made of other databases, including Careers of Doctorate Holders, the Belgian Labour Force Survey and the SERV Workability Monitor for Employees. Particular attention is paid to gender and diversity.
Research topics related to junior researchers include:
- Funding for doctoral students (ECOOM-briefs 3, 5 and 26)
- Success rates in doctoral research (ECOOM-brief 33)
- Time-to-degree in doctoral research (ECOOM-brief 24 and Flemish indicator book)
- Added value of a PhD (ECOOM-brief 41 and interview series)
- Career interests and career prospects/opportunities (ECOOM-briefs 31, 36, 37, 38, 43 and 65 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Skills/competencies (ECOOM-brief 4 and 67 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Job satisfaction (ECOOM-briefs 13, 18 and 68 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Mental, social and physical health (ECOOM-briefs 12, 21, 22, scientific publication, 69 and 70 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Turnover and turnover intentions (ECOOM-briefs 14, 19, 20, 61, 62 and 63 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Leadership and working relationship with the supervisor (ECOOM-Brief 46, ECOOM-Brief 7, 71 and 72 - at the moment only available in Dutch)
- Interdisciplinarity (ECOOM-Brief 52)
- Entrepreneurship (ECOOM-Brief 23 and interview series)
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Inappropriate behavior (ECOOM-Briefs 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58)
- Personality (ECOOM-briefs 73 and 74 - at the moment only available in Dutch)