The unequal, insecure plight of PhD researchers across the EU

The future of scientific progress and knowledge in the EU looks young but precarious.

At the start of their research careers, Europeans with a bachelor's and master's degree face different forms of insecurity depending on which member state they are in.

In the EU's less research-intensive countries poor salaries, low public-private investment and a lack of formal contracts prevail, while in those with more research activity there is high competition among candidates for a permane...