More than two-thirds of researchers at the University of Cambridge are employed on a fixed-term basis, says a new report?that highlights staff unhappiness with job insecurity, modest pay rises and a ¡°culture of overwork¡±.

Drawing on new internal staff data, the study by Cambridge¡¯s University and College Union (UCU) branch found that 69 per cent of research staff?were working on fixed-term contracts, with 13 per cent on contracts lasting 12 months or less.

In some cases, staff contracts were renewed on a recurrent basis, which?the union said was ¡°in contradiction to the university¡¯s official fixed-term contract policy, which mandates the conversion of fixed-term contracts to open-ended ones upon the second renewal, except in exceptional circumstances¡±.

The ?also found that the number of fixed-term staff ¨C both academic and research ¨C at Cambridge?was approaching the level of permanent staff. According to data from the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Statistics Agency (Hesa), were on fixed-term contracts in 2022-23, that number having?risen steadily since 2014-15.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

A separate staff survey, which drew 135 responses, gave greater insight into the concerns of those on temporary contracts.

One respondent explained how their ¡°funding is rolling and renewed every year¡± but ¡°it is often not confirmed until quite late¡±.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

¡°I often get emails saying that my funding is running out and my leaving date will be a particular day ¨C this is usually extended before this date, but last year I didn¡¯t get official confirmation that it was extended until after the date had passed,¡± they added.

Another researcher who described themselves as having an ¡°extremely distinguished academic career up to this point¡± said they would be leaving Cambridge soon?because they were ¡°sick of precarious, fixed-term contracts¡± and did not ¡°have enough savings to keep living beyond my means in academia¡±, citing high rents in the Cambridge area and childcare costs as contributing reasons for their departure.

A migrant researcher added that precarity had a disproportionate impact on foreign employees,?saying that ¡°short-term contracts are especially stressful for people whose visas are tied to our jobs¡±.

The situation faced by college-based research fellows was also raised, with some living on salaries of less than ?30,000, which made them ¡°among the lowest-paid researchers in UK higher education¡±, the report says.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

According to the report¡¯s authors, its findings ¡°reveal significant concerns related to casualisation, job insecurity, excessive workloads and inadequate compensation experienced by researchers at Cambridge University¡±.

Describing what they call a ¡°culture of overwork¡±, the study¡¯s authors point to their survey¡¯s finding that 62 per cent of staff said they regularly worked more than their contracted hours, and 26 per cent worked more than 48 hours a week.

A university spokesperson said that ¡°although this survey represents under 3 per cent of research staff, we acknowledge the concerns¡±?in the report and the university was already working to address many of the issues raised.

A review of staff working on fixed-term contracts in 2020-21 had resulted in about 300 staff moving to open-ended contracts,?while a ¡°further project is under way, working with the trade unions to review the use of fixed-term contracts at the university and the associated guidance¡±.

³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ

Work on a new academic career pathway for research staff ¡°is in its advanced stages¡±, and was ¡°intended to help make promotion and recognition for excellence fair, equitable and transparent¡±.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com