Anyone know if lecturers will be hit by gov cutbacks?

L

lola1979

Registered User
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Hi All

Just wondering if lecturers will be hit by government cutbacks. Apparently the only sector in education that will be cutback is third level education, anyone know if its going to effect lecturers (i.e. front line staff).

Thanks
 
As far as I understand, the cutbacks mainly affect admin posts. New posts and replacement of staff in old posts will not be approved until it can be demonstrated that they are providing a critical service. Lecturers posts are still being approved and as far as I know, paycuts are not on the cards.
 

I think these fears are very realistic. Universities have a poor track record on the treatment of temporary staff. Either of the scenarios above are possible.
 
A friend who works as a senior adminstrator in UCD has told me that she got a mail telling her that all vacant posts were now subject to a 'recruitment pause' unless externally funded by reaerach money, except for Professorships. All other posts have to be approved individually by college finance.
 
The problem is 'it depends'.

Firstly it depends on the institution how it will react to the impending cut backs. Today our Universities essentially have financial management independence from the Government. What I mean is that they get a budget and it is up to the institution to spend it as the see fit. So public sector recrutiment embargos do not apply. However, the individual institution could implement a full or partial embargo as they see fit.

The second key issue is where in the University the post is and what is driving the creation of the post. Where in the University is important as some departments/schools may grow where as others may not (it is not a one fits all playing field).

The other element of this is what is driving the creation of the post. Is it research income i.e. a Lecturer pulled in €1.5m in funding and as part of the deal they get to create a 3 year contract so as to release them to conduct the research. The likelyhood of this converting to a permanent post is very slim. Even worse due to EU legistation and to avoid having to issue a CID (contracts of indefinite duration) the HR department will see to it that you are tossed out before you hit the magic 3years (or whatever it actually is).

On the otherhand if the post is being created by a new degree programme that will lead to a steady stream of future income then there is a better chance that the posts might convert to a permanent position. But it is a big risk which will only be exasperated by the current economic conditions.

Now comes the big however. Even if you/your friend takes the post and is a brilliant lecturer the only real currency at the interview table, for the permanent post, will be a completed PhD and a list of publications to go with it. What can happen is that a department needs a lecturer to deliver the teaching on a new programme. The programme is successful and the department apply for the post to become permanent which is granted. Now out of the woodwork come a load of PhD's with publications who apply for the post and poor old Mary or Mick who spent the last 3 year teaching and handling all the administration associated with the new programme don't stand a chance.

So in summary:

1) you/your friend should find out as much about the postion and the department offering that position as possible.

2) be prepared to start a PhD yesterday and have it completed by the time the post might become permanent

3) publish

4) publish

5) oh and did I say publish
 
CrazyWater

Thanks for a great reply!!! Do you know if the same applies to Institutes of Technologies. Secondly, I thought that lecturers acrus rights and so HR departments can't kick them out and not issue CID's?

Have you done a PHd yourself and if so how long did it take, something I'm thinking about myself, not sure if I could commit to it though.

Thanks
 
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