Alumni of the Forschungszentrum and the current labour market
In this issue, we want to take a look at the current labour market. In doing so, we will focus specifically on the labour market for young researchers. This is currently characterised by a discrepancy, arising on the one hand from a shortage of skilled workers and on the other from the large number of graduates who cannot find employment.[1]
The high number of advanced degrees – and the consequences
Recent developments show that, for several years now, there has been a trend towards higher school qualifications as well as a greater inclination to pursue higher education.[2] However, a large proportion of these students leave university without a degree. In an interview with Tagesschau, a researcher at the ifo Institute for Economic Research explains the high number of unfilled apprenticeship places, which pose a significant risk to the German economy, as apprentices play a crucial role there.[3] A study by the German Economic Institute showed that those with vocational qualifications who have undertaken further training, such as a master craftsman or technician, are less likely to be unemployed than graduates, earn similarly well and are in high demand on the labour market.[4] Furthermore, the German Economic Institute also highlighted the growing skills shortage, particularly among skilled workers with completed vocational training.[5] A look at the labour market also reveals that 15% of the working population under the age of 35 are formally overqualified for their jobs, as they hold a higher educational qualification than is required for their current role.[6]
The economic situation in industry and science
In industry, the weakening economy is leading to the loss of numerous jobs. At the end of September 2025, the number of employees was 2.2% lower than 12 months earlier.[7] This industrial crisis is having a significant impact on young graduates. On average, around 45,000 young, well-educated graduates were unemployed in 2025. Almost twice as many as in 2022. Furthermore, it took those under 35 an average of 112 days to find employment after graduating. That is 19 days longer than in 2023. These developments are reflected, among other things, in an increase in the demand for career guidance.[8]
Consequently, non-academic careers are becoming increasingly important in academia, as there are not enough positions to offer long-term prospects to all interested parties.[9] When looking at the labour market for postdocs and PhD graduates, unemployment rates remain low at around 1–2% for PhD graduates.[10] However, contracts are often fixed-term and do not automatically lead to an academic career, as the fixed-term nature of these contracts has a significant impact on whether researchers remain in academia. Consequently, many postdocs move into other sectors.[11]
Conclusion – What helps with the job search?
Young researchers now face the challenge of dealing with these developments. Firstly, it can be noted that they have better long-term prospects on the labour market if they are flexible and also consider roles outside the traditional academic sector.[12] A career change, particularly through further training, is a good option for gaining qualifications in sectors where there is high demand.[13]
Furthermore, selection in recruitment processes is increasingly based on skills rather than just formal qualifications; therefore, transferable skills should be demonstrable on the CV.[14] Against this backdrop in particular, transferable skills and flexible career paths are becoming increasingly important. The requirements regarding applicants’ skills and qualities are currently undergoing significant change.[15] All in all, however, it can be said that graduates already demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, which is why they are unemployed for a comparatively shorter period and return to employment relatively quickly.[16]
In the STEM labour market, the skills gap remains significant and, despite the economic slowdown, there are still a considerable number of vacancies.[17] Forecasts also point to a persistently high demand for skills in this sector.[18]
[1] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitsmarkt/akademiker-jobsuche-100.html
[2] https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Statischer-Content/Statistiken/Themen-im-Fokus/Juengere/Generische-Publications/AM-kompakt-Herausforderungen-junge-Menschen.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
[3] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitsmarkt/arbeitsmarkt-fachkraefte-100.html
[4] https://www.iwkoeln.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/susanne-seyda-meister-braucht-das-land.html
[5] https://www.iwkoeln.de/studien/jurek-tiedemann-lydia-malin-jahresrueckblick-2022-fachkraeftesituation-angespannter-denn-je.html
[6] https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/Zahl-der-Woche/2026/PD26_05_p002.html
[7] Podcast: Handelsblatt Morning Briefing “Outlook: Economy cautiously optimistic”
[8] Spiegel article: Young, highly trained – and no longer in demand
[9] https://www.jmwiarda.de/2024/06/12/tenure-track-sechs-milliarden-und-ein-weiter-flaschenhals
[10] https://germanpostdoc.net/national-report-on-early-career-researchers-2025-key-findings/
[11] www.jmwiarda.de/https-www.jmwiarda.de-2025-02-03-arbeiten-in-der-wissenschaft-wie-kann-deutschland-fuer-forscher-attraktiver-werden/
[12] https://www.jmwiarda.de/https-www.jmwiarda.de-2025-02-03-arbeiten-in-der-wissenschaft-wie-kann-deutschland-fuer-forscher-attraktiver-werden/
[13] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitsmarkt-stellenangebote-jobsuche-wird-schwieriger-100.html
[14] https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.11942
[15] https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/arbeitsmarkt/akademiker-jobsuche-100.html
[16] https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/DE/Statischer-Content/Statistiken/Themen-im-Fokus/Berufe/AkademikerInnen/Allgemeiner-Teil/Generische-Publications/1-7-Arbeitslosigkeit.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2&
[17] https://www.wveb.de/mint-herbstreport-2025
[18] https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor/en/comparative-report/chapter-1.html
Author: Sina Simon, Alumnimanagement & Career Center - Forschungszentrum Jülich