Quantized careers : origins and consequences of the preponderance of temporary and junior jobs in academia

A lack of career opportunities and long spells of temporary employment are seen as major problems in science, and are thought to decrease the attractiveness of the scientific profession. In the long run, this could hurt countries’ ability to conduct high-quality research and innovation. This dissertation examines the origin and effects of the preponderance of junior and temporary jobs in science. The research described in the dissertation shows how career prospects and employment conditions have changed in Germany since the emergence of the research university, and how publications careers of PhD graduates have changed in the United States since the 1950s. Furthermore, the dissertation describes how career prospects and employment conditions affect the job choice of recent PhD graduates. Women are more negative about career prospects and employment conditions in science and are therefore more affected by these issues when choosing a job. In addition, the dissertation describes how student status of PhD candidates limits the availability of material research infrastructure. Finally, the research in the dissertation shows that temporary employment decreases job satisfaction and affects the personal life of PhD graduates.