Hi there,

So I've just got offered a CAST position - which at first sounds like a good thing... That is unless you're on an AST reserve list lik I am.

What happened was that following my interview they informed me that they chose someone else but that there is this other option called a contract agent.

I've read up on the details since (1-year period renewed no more than 6 times, lower payroll, internal competitions limited to SC positions etc.). I get that it's more convenient for the institutions.

The question is: Is this nowadays the only way to get to a permanent staff level? Or is it only 'dangling carrot' situation that's never going to materialise into anything more substantial (i.e. permanent staff position)?

My reserve list is valid for another year or so and no one knows if it gets renewed. I have no obligations, nothing to tie me down. I just don't want to get sidetracked in a bureaucratic maze.

I'd appreaciate any useful advice.

Cheers.