Navigating treacherous water: Exploring the dual career experiences of European Research Council applicants

Careers of scientists do not unfold in a social vacuum. According to the

concept of linked lives (Moen, 2003), the career of one partner has implications

for the career of the other. Using a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews

we explore the experiences of navigating dual careers for a sample of scientists who

applied for a European Research Council (ERC) grant. While the notion of an ideal

scientist is built on an individualistic model of unrestricted international mobility

and dedication, our quantitative analysis shows that the majority of ERC applicants

have an employed partner, who is often also a scientist, and children. The majority

of ERC applicants with an employed partner say both careers are equally important,

but the proportion is higher among women ERC applicants. These scientists expe-

rience difficulties in coordinating and combining dual careers, even if their own

career is considered more important. This is evident for established scientists as well

as for scientists who are in the ‘rush hour’ of life. From the scientists’ lived experien-

ces it becomes evident that the ERC applicants want to comply with the notion of

the ‘ideal’ scientist but face limitations, especially when mobility opportunities are

constrained by the portability of the partners’ careers. Dual-career cycling dilemmas

are raised by mobility events, often resulting in priority shifts through a competing

rather than synchronic process. These dilemmas arise for both men and women

scientists, but some of the consequences–where and with whom the children live

and who has primary care responsibilities–are quite gendered. We conclude with

recommendations for employers and funders in supporting dual careers in science.