Online launch of the Observatory of Scientific and Teaching Employment

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

The OECD is an analysis mechanism that makes it possible to monitor the hiring of doctoral researchers and careers in research. 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. This Observatory aims to enable free and open observation of mobility, career plans, employment and scientific working conditions. It also makes it possible to publicize the results of the Scientific Employment Stimulus measures, which were designed between 2016 and 2017 and implemented since then.

The data currently shows that in the period following the introduction of the Stimulus to Scientific Employment measures, there has been a 9% increase in the total number of open-ended contracts (career positions) with teachers and researchers and an increase in the hiring of researchers, the vast majority of whom were previously Studentships holders, with 6,101 more contracts being implemented today than the total numbers recorded at the end of 2015.

It should be noted that the funding mechanisms made available 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 FCT Calls as part of the Stimulus to Scientific Employment program.

ANNEXES:
Manual of the Observatory of Scientific and Teaching Employment
New Contracts Registration Platform
FCT Stimulus Program for Scientific Employment