Online launch of the Scientific and Teaching Employment Observatory

The Scientific and Teaching Employment Observatory (OECD) is now online as of today, July 6. the Scientific and Teaching Employment Observatory (OECD), a platform launched by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education (MCTES). It consists of a public register that lists all doctoral contracts involved in research (R&D), teaching, or science and technology management and communication activities. The data is collected and disseminated by the Directorate-General for Education and Science Statistics (DGEEC).

The OECD is an analysis mechanism that enables the monitoring of the hiring of PhD researchers and research careers. With this step, Portugal becomes one of the first countries to follow the recommendations of the Council of the European Union, approved on May 28, 2021, during the Portuguese presidency. The aim of this Observatory is to enable free and open observation of mobility, career plans, employment, and scientific working conditions. It also allows the results of the Scientific Employment Stimulus measures, which were designed between 2016 and 2017 and have been applied since then, to be made known.

The data currently shows that, in the period following the introduction of measures to stimulate scientific employment, there was a 9% increase in the total number of permanent contracts (career positions) with teachers and researchers and an increase in the hiring of researchers, the vast majority of whom were previously holders of Studentships, with 6,101 more contracts currently in force than the total number recorded at the end of 2015.

It should be noted that the funding mechanisms provided by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) are the main generators of contractual positions, with 44% of contracts (i.e., 2,635 contracts) being established following Calls integrated into the Scientific Employment Stimulus program.

APPENDICES:
Scientific and Teaching Employment Observatory Manual
New Contract Registration Platform
FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus Program