The Employment Situation of the Mittelbau at Austrian Universities
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This report presents the findings of a comprehensive survey conducted in 2023 to examine the employment conditions of academic staff (Mittelbau) at Austrian public universities. Based on responses from over 2,300 participants, the study highlights the systemic prevalence of precarious employment, characterized by fixed-term contracts and job insecurity, and its detrimental impacts on academic careers, research, and teaching. Key findings reveal widespread lack of awareness about employment-related legal frameworks and limited career prospects due to scarce pathways to permanent positions. The report underscores how precarious conditions compromise teaching quality, hinder research innovation, and disrupt the continuity of academic projects. It calls for systemic reforms to create transparent career paths, stabilize project-based employment, and address structural inequities in academia. These recommendations aim to foster sustainable working conditions that support high-quality research and education in Austria.
