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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Dear Postdocs,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">As many of you have already seen, the newly announced federal budget plans foresee
<b>substantial reductions in university funding</b> for 2028–2030, from €16.5 billion to €15.5 billion. Austrian universities estimate that they need about €18 billion just to keep up with inflation and rising operating costs, resulting in a funding gap of
roughly €2.5 billion (about 14%). University leadership has warned that up to 10,000 positions across the sector could be affected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB">For postdocs and early-career researchers, the consequences are expected to be immediate and severe</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">: fewer contracts, hiring freezes, reduced bridge funding, delayed tenure-track opportunities,
and increasing dependence on highly competitive external grants. Temporary and junior positions are especially vulnerable, as they are often the first to be cut when universities face financial pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">These developments directly threaten the future of academic research and scientific careers in Austria. They also risk undermining the international competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Austrian universities
and research institutions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">For this reason, we strongly encourage all postdocs at the Medical University of Innsbruck to
<b>participate in the</b> <b>nationwide protest action taking place in Vienna on 27 May</b>. A strong and visible participation from the scientific community is essential to demonstrate the importance of sustained investment in research, higher education, and
young scientists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">We would also like to emphasize that the Rectorate of the Medical University of Innsbruck is organizing a
<b>bus trip to Vienna for participants</b>. Please make use of this opportunity and
<b>register by Friday, 22 May, at 5:00 pm</b> via the following link: </span><a href="https://events.i-med.ac.at/register/66"><span lang="EN-GB">https://events.i-med.ac.at/register/66</span></a><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Your participation matters, not only for current postdocs, but for the future of science and academic careers in Austria.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Best regards, and see you in Vienna!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Yousra El Ghaleb, Roos Voorn, and Nico Wahl
<br>
for the Postdoc Network<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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