Abstract Europe faces a persistent research brain drain, undermining its ability to compete globally in science and technology. Drawing on the 2024 CESAER Research Careers Survey of 24 universities across Europe, complemented by in-depth case studies of Lisbon, Twente and Bergen, this article provides new empirical evidence on the conditions shaping research careers in European higher education and research institutions. It shows growth in the research workforce, but also highlights widespread reliance on temporary contracts, with significant variation across institutions and countries. While some universities are innovating with long-term career pathways and co-funding schemes, others remain locked into precarious, project-based hiring. This uneven landscape hampers Europe’s ability to attract and retain talent. We propose three strategic priorities to reverse Europe’s brain drain and achieve balanced brain circulation by 2035: (1) establishing an effective European Research Careers Observatory to monitor job quality and mobility; (2) reforming research assessment to emphasize stability and inclusivity; and (3) expanding EU–national co-funding mechanisms to create sustainable career pathways. We argue for a bold ‘Choose Europe’ initiative, led by the European Commission and supported by member states and institutions, to transform Europe into a magnet for global research talent.
Heitor et al. (2026) studied this question.