Is it Beneficial to Be a Scientist in Latvia: How to Build an Academic Career 0 12

Where You Can Earn

There is no mandatory distribution, as in the times of planned economy, in Latvia. However, there is an extensive and quite self-sufficient, beloved environment.

The fields of academic work include scientific activities, including conducting scientific research and creative activities, which involve innovations, performing work in artistic creativity, education and enlightenment of society (lifelong education), organizational work, such as experience in participation or leadership in editorial boards, expert groups, councils, project evaluations, etc., as well as the "third mission," for example, developing educational programs in collaboration with scientific institutions, representatives of cultural sectors, and the national economy.

But Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens ("New Unity") ordered the government in November regarding the procedure for introducing a new academic career in Latvia. Opportunities are opening up -- exciting ones.

Hold on to Your Tenure

Academic staff in Latvia, according to the regulatory framework effective in 2025, are employees elected to academic positions: professors, associate professors, leading researchers, associate professors, researchers, lecturers, assistants, and research assistants -- in accordance with the Law on Higher Education Institutions, the Law on Vocational Education, and the Law on Scientific Activities.

Until recently, only Latvia and Slovakia were EU member states where work in the academic environment was time-limited. Now we have changes: professionals who decide to tie themselves to institutions of the Ministry of Education and Science will now be able to expect tenure. The Ministry of Education and Science is inviting people to work, stimulating this "system of predictable academic careers."

The new procedure informs about vacant basic positions in academic roles and provides scientific institutions with the opportunity to attract the best academic staff: "The overarching goal is to improve the quality of higher education, scientific activity, and artistic creativity, to promote excellence, and to strengthen academic freedom."

The tenure system typically covers the 2nd to 4th stages of an individual academic career and provides for the employment of academic staff in core academic positions with tenure status. A review is due after 3-4 years. However, not passing it will not be a disaster: "In the case of a negative final assessment of work, - the Ministry of Education and Science promises, - the scientific body may provide the opportunity to offer an additional tenure period, not exceeding two years, as a justified exception."

Thus, all teaching and research staff receive a sort of rank list.

Alas, if you thought about creativity and know-how -- nothing is new under the sun: in Tsarist Russia, all university teachers were civil servants of corresponding classes. For example, since 1884, an ordinary professor was equated to a state councilor, from this position one could claim a post as vice-governor, and it was promised that one would be addressed as "Your Excellency."

Loyalty Factors

Of course, tenure is also about loyalty, as the prospect of a lifetime contract, which will only go up, does not allow for ideological fluctuations. In this regard, it is clear that our universities have long rid themselves of discrepancies on ethnolinguistic issues, but as for the attitude towards the Istanbul Convention or regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict -- there is still some leeway.

There Is Never Enough Money (As Always)

"Key directions of science, technology development, and innovation" in Latvia are planned until 2027. However, the state has not found much money: a couple of years ago, they managed to find only 3 million euros additionally.

But even for mastering very modest scientific funds, many figures have rushed in - all our state universities, the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the Latvian Association of Young Scientists, and even the unique private enterprise SIA Fontes Vadības konsultācijas. Mandatory recommendations took into account the advice of the World Bank.

Yes, science is clearly not a financial priority for us – only 33% of the average level in the EU. For comparison: Latvia's military budget for 2026 will amount to 4.91% of the gross domestic product (GDP) or 2,157,907,137 euros. Here we are among the leaders in NATO.

But if there were no happiness, misfortune would help. Part of the funds for defense will likely be distributed among departments that will carry out contracts for the military-industrial complex – conceptually, at least 30% of all orders for the National Armed Forces must be covered by Latvian manufacturers. And if our manufacturers are unable for objective reasons to produce anti-aircraft missiles, then shelters for them, as well as barracks for personnel, will be designed and built at the expense of local companies.

Science on Heels

A positive aspect in Latvia is that all gender stereotypes in the educational sphere have been completely broken. Data from the state information system on education regarding elected academic staff in higher education revealed that the share of women is 54.8%. In this sense, Latvia has been leading in the EU for 10 years!

However, despite the high proportion of women, they still occupy relatively low academic positions. For example, 65.6% of those working as lecturers are women, while at the highest academic positions, the share of women is lower than that of men: women hold 44.4% of professor positions and 46.3% of leading researcher positions.

But at the highest level of "long-term international researcher," our girls and young people will be able to achieve this already 10-15 years after their doctorate, that is, by the age of 35-40. So there are all the incentives to grow and behave well.