The personal costs of researcher precarity report is released

C‑DICE has published The Personal Costs of Researcher Precarity: A C‑DICE National Survey of Researchers on Fixed‑Term Contracts in UK Higher Education. The survey finds the personal and financial costs of researcher precarity stack up over time. The UK‑wide survey of 256 researchers on fixed‑term contracts shows precarity is not a brief stage but a repeating pattern across roles and institutions, with costs and risks borne largely by individuals.

What researchers are paying out of pocket

Respondents reported footing a wide range of bills that are structurally tied to short, project‑based role — visa fees, relocation and temporary housing, professional costs, and the unpaid gaps between contracts. Average self‑reported direct costs were: visa fees £3,418, gap periods £2,995, relocation £2,213, temporary housing £2,185, professional fees £1,324, and conference participation £826.

“Each move comes with costs that aren’t fully covered. Over time, it just erodes any financial stability you might have built.”

Day-to-day bills vs, long term security

Most respondents said they could keep up with everyday bills, but far fewer felt secure about the future. Only 29% reported feeling financially secure in their current role, while 52% felt insecure, and 74% said fixed‑term contracts limit long‑term goals such as buying a home, saving for retirement, or planning family life.

As one participant put it: “You can survive month to month, but you can’t build a life.”

The precarity cycle

The report highlights the temporal nature of these costs: pressures recur as researchers move between institutions and locations, often preparing for the next transition before the current contract ends, leaving little time to recover financially.

“Even after years in the system, you never feel settled. You’re always planning for the next contract.”

Who is most affected

The burdens are uneven. Migrant researchers face additional, often unavoidable costs and heightened risk linked to immigration status — particularly around visa fees and the consequences of contract gaps. Early‑career staff and those on very short contracts (under one year) also report higher financial strain and stress than peers on longer terms.

“Visa costs are unavoidable, and if your contract ends, everything is at risk.”

Wellbeing at work

Financial insecurity and uncertainty take a toll on wellbeing. Many respondents reported anxiety, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating at work as contracts near their end—with knock‑on effects for personal relationships, housing decisions, and family life.

“Reaching the end of each contract is physically and mentally draining.”

Why this matters for the research system

The findings raise questions about how current funding and employment practices distribute risk across the UK research ecosystem. While national frameworks like the Researcher Development Concordat emphasise fair and sustainable careers, short‑term, grant‑dependent employment continues to externalise costs onto individual, with consequences for equity, retention, and the efficient delivery of research.