PhD, postgraduate and early career

Several Australian universities pause applications from Iran but say government unclear over whether students from sanctioned countries banned

Neuroscientist Claudia Schrauwen says doctoral students are too eager to apologise for the limitations of their research rather than celebrate what they have found

Lecturers say they lack support in working with students to develop their academic writing

Slow winding down of one of the country’s longest-running programmes has been poorly handled, students claim

Germany’s plan to extend the length of academic contracts will do little to relieve precarity in researchers’ early careers, experts say

Doctoral student says hours spent battling unwarranted energy bill consumed his research time

Supervisors should involve doctoral students with conducting, writing up and publishing experiments straight away, says Adrian Furnham

Universities urged to reassess how they provide professional development amid shift away from academic jobs

Analysis of staff data finds skew to teaching-only roles in entry-level positions, with scale of cuts not reflected at more senior levels

But subsidised postgraduate opportunities at risk, as demographics and funding changes favour undergraduate emphasis

If the government implements only half of the accord, it will kill off postgraduate options for low-SES students, says Jesse Gardner-Russell 

Some universities may step back from offering industry-focused qualifications amid doctoral funding pressures, explains new study

Research organisations warn against introducing thematic priorities for prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Gaps in understanding between universities and their external partners leave students in a ‘vulnerable position’, report finds

Only 8 per cent of early career physicists would advise others to pursue career in UK research after downturn in postdoc funding, survey finds

More than 300 social sciences programmes lost in past year, figures show, as critics bemoan decisions made on enrolment numbers alone

Anonymity of social media posts highlights the subjects that doctoral candidates feel unable to discuss publicly, researchers say

High-level declarations pledging not to misuse metrics in research assessment are important, but they are far from enough. Senior academics, in particular, must use their influence to ensure institutions, funders and publishers translate pledges into concrete action, say six senior academics  

Funding and affordability significant barriers for UK students hoping to progress to postgraduate study, says report

Public science sector at risk of disappearing in next decade without big injection of funds, politicians warned

Academy of Management to move event in future years as regular attendees stay at home owing to visa fears and opposition to president’s research policies

Proposed ‘minimum standards’ for research careers argue scholars should expect the same living standards across the continent

Students currently need to find at least £10,000 from somewhere else to cover the cost of living. This is beyond the reach of most, says Alexis Gkantiragas

Researchers fear wider changes to country’s immigration system will put off international talent

Universities struggling to compete with the opportunities offered by the private sector as potential doctoral candidates question value of PhDs, summit hears

Mandatory reporting of retractions to Indian science funding agency will force researchers to think harder about perpetrating fraud or working with serial offenders, says integrity champion

Nearly 40 doctoral students enrolled in UK institutions left in lurch by funder, with many facing being unable to complete their studies

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