Well-being and career instability across genders in the Spanish Astronomical Society

Abstract

We present the results of a comprehensive survey conducted among members of the Spanish Astronomical Society (Sociedad Española de Astronomía, SEA) to assess the well-being, professional satisfaction and family–work balance of researchers in astronomy. The survey addressed multiple aspects of professional life, including happiness, career stability, publication pressure and access to childcare services during scientific meetings. Responses were examined across gender and career stages to identify trends and sources of dissatisfaction. Although most participants reported a generally positive happiness index, significant concerns persist regarding career instability, family–work balance and the pressure to publish. The time required to obtain a permanent position has increased dramatically, from a median of 3 years after a PhD before 1993 to a median of 11 years by 2025, affecting men and women alike. Nevertheless, women, particularly postdoctoral researchers, show a higher tendency to consider leaving academia, with family–work imbalance emerging as their main source of dissatisfaction. An overwhelming 90% of participants support the use of SEA funds to provide childcare services during SEA scientific meetings, while ~23% (51 researchers) expressed the need for such support, with an almost equal gender distribution. Despite this strong consensus, childcare services are not yet available at SEA conferences. The Women and Astronomy Commission of the SEA is actively advocating for their implementation, and we hope that these findings will help advance this initiative.