The reorganization plans, which will be discussed by the faculty council by the end of April, involve the discontinuation of eight research chairs. Sebastiaan Morssinkhof, spokesman for P-NUT: `The biggest problem is the uncertainty and lack of information. Some people are already looking for a new job. Which people? Those in a good position, like professors and supervisors; people who have no problem finding new employment. If another job can offer you more security, you'd be crazy not to take it. But even a considerable number of technicians are worried and looking for something else.'
At a recent meeting with S&T staff, dean Alfred Bliek promised PhD students they would not suffer under the reorganization. Still, Morssinkhof thinks one the biggest problems will be the time lost in finding a new supervisor or a new lab to do experiments in. A conservative estimate says the first aspect could take at least two months, and the second four to six months. `A time-consuming job,' Morssinkhof concedes. `Furthermore, a new supervisor is often not quite as up to speed as your old supervisor. If he is not employed by the UT, communication will suffer as well.' The UT will have to renew contracts of PhD students if they are delayed in their research as a result of the reorganization. P-NUT knows of at least one research group where a supervisor has already left.
TNW dean Alfred Bliek understands the concerns of the PhD students (`I'd feel the same way') but is unable to make concrete promises until the faculty council has decided on his reorganization plan. `After that, we will start talking to all the parties involved.' Bliek says a `generic solution' is impossible and the options will have to be reviewed for every PhD student. `We will have to provide custom solutions.' Renewing contracts for affected PhD students could be a solution, he says. `If there are any delays because of the reorganization then we'll have to compensate that. We have nothing to gain from people leaving the UT without getting their doctoral degree. That is not only bad for the PhD student, but also for the reputation of the faculty. So obviously we will do everything we can to prevent that.'
Bliek points out that the technicians have employment protection. `They will be able to do their jobs undisturbed for another fifteen months. Of course, some people could indeed decide not to wait that long. That is out of our control.'
The dean disputes the fact that some supervisors have already left. `Everyone is still here. Perhaps P-NUT is referring to a professor who left last year, but we worked everything out with his PhD students.'
Trans. Jeroen Latour
