Despite a hiring freeze, the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) is seeing an increase in both permanent and temporary staff. The faculty board is investigating how this is happening.
Part of the increase is due to more PhD positions and additional funding for research institutes such as CogniGron. However, this does not explain everything.
‘The working hypothesis is that this is about replacement’, said resources portfolio holder Esther Marije Klop in the faculty council meeting. ‘As the permanent staff decreases, the temporary staff increases.’
Temporary positions do not need to be approved by the faculty board, unlike permanent positions.
Cost-cutting measures
Reducing the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) is of great importance. Like other faculties, FSE must also make significant cuts. This is being done through a hiring freeze, reducing the number of student assistants, and encouraging faster promotions for PhD students.
The measures have already had an effect. In the first quarter, the faculty ended up with a deficit of €2.97 million, which is €68,000 less than expected. But the limits seem to have been reached. ‘The current adopted budget requires an enormous effort from the board and staff. It is almost impossible for the faculty to absorb further deficits.’