1. 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. Fredérique Voisin-Demery, Pierre-Eric Poble Confédération des Etudiants-Chercheurs (CEC)- http://garp.univ-bpclermont.fr/cec/ - March 2001 Doctoral Studies in France Offers training for PhD resaercher. post-thesis period preparation conferences foreign languages, … Problems: lack of organization (new structures) Doctoral School 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 PhD students. Current Situation Fundings 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 PhD preparation, include high school teachers preparing a thesis. More than 60% in Humanities or Social Sciences. 40% of PhD thesis will not be achieved One doctor out of 4 is a foreigner, 30% coming from North Africa, and 14.5% from Europe PhD Preparation Charte des thèses This document binds the PhD 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 PhD Researcher belongs to is part of is protected by Doctoral studies begin with DEA (one year diploma), followed by PhD preparation. PhD 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. 66 000 PhD researchers in France. 11 000 PhD defended each year. 63% have a funding dedicated to their PhD preparation. PhD Researchers’ Future 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. 27% postdoc, 27% tenure positions, 25% companies