Doctoral Studies in France Fredrique VoisinDemery PierreEric Poble

Doctoral Studies in France Fredérique Voisin-Demery, Pierre-Eric Poble Confédération des Etudiants-Chercheurs (CEC)- http: //garp. univ-bpclermont. fr/cec/ - March 2001 Ph. D Preparation Doctoral School is part of Offers training for Ph. D resaercher. • post-thesis period preparation • conferences • foreign languages, … Problems: • lack of organization (new structures) belongs to is protected by Charte des thèses This document binds the Ph. D student, his superviser, the laboratory director and the doctoral school director. It describes the rights and duties of each part. Problems: • no legal basis • difficulties in controlling its application Ph. D Researcher He is still considered as a student, though research is a full time job. He has to pay university registration fees (300 €) and student social security if he has no funding, or just a grant. Laboratory It is supposed to provide: • desk, computer access, . . . • means for research • conferences participation funding, … Problems: • Humanities, Social Sciences do not have such structures • do not always provide good research conditions for Ph. D students. Doctoral studies begin with DEA (one year diploma), followed by Ph. D preparation lasts between 2 years and a half and 5 years, the average being 3 years and 4 months. In order to get his diploma (the doctorate) the young researcher has to write a report reviewed by 2 confirmed researchers, and to perform an oral presentation of his work in front of a jury. Current Situation 66 000 Ph. D researchers in France. 11 000 Ph. D defended each year. More than 60% in Humanities or Social Sciences. 40% of Ph. D thesis will not be achieved One doctor out of 4 is a foreigner, 30% coming from North Africa, and 14. 5% from Europe Fundings Ph. D Researchers’ Future 63% have a funding dedicated to their Ph. D preparation. 27% postdoc, 27% tenure positions, 25% companies • Allocations : french Ministry of Education funding (915 €/month); teaching is posssible through 3 years contract (monitorats) payed 215 € / month in addition to allocation. CEC is currently trying to get a raise of the allocation amount. • CIFRE : business company funding with help of french governement (at least 1360 €/month). • Research institutions : as allocation or more in case of co-funding. • Ministries, regions : around the allocation amount. • Wages : other than those dedicated to the Ph. D preparation, include high school teachers preparing a thesis. • Postdoc: include french 2 years position ATER (half research, half teaching). Postdocs ’ coming back to France is a problem: not enough positions available, too old to enter companies. • Tenure positions: either in universities (half research, half teaching), or in research institutions. Until recently, it was the natural future of a doctor. • Business companies: French doctors have trouble finding jobs there. French « Grandes Ecoles » graduate are supposed to be better trained. But 30% of french doctors will have to find their job in firms. Trainings offered by Doctoral Schools should help them, as well as the better economic situation.