Summarizing a recent round table discussion on research careers in which she participated, Jennifer Rohn at Mind the Gap says that although panelists generally agreed on the existence of "significant structural problems and instabilities" in the academic workforce, there were differing opinions on how to deal with the issue. "Some wanted to frame the discussion solely on facilitating the 'graceful exit' from the pyramid — in other words, the shape is what it is, and we should try to work around it," Rohn says. "But others wanted to probe at the shape itself, and whether it could be altered — for example, the feasibility of 'fattening the pyramid' (i.e. creating more mid-level, permanent jobs for highly skilled research staff)."
Hypothetically speaking, Rohn wonders if academic fellowship applications saw a 95 percent drop, how the remaining 5 percent would fare compared to, say, those the 6th to 10th percentile. "Was there a steep step-change at 5 [percent], or was it just a very gradual continuum? Do all quick-off-the-mark superstars who get independence always do well? … Some researchers would rather leave than not be a lab head, but there are probably a large number who would be well suited to a permanent non-PI research job and who would flourish in that environment," she says. "So how big is that latter pool?"
Turning back to the panel discussion, Rohn says participants also considered "ways to equip researchers to leave academia." While some argued that it would serve academic researchers well to spend some time in industry, at her blog Rohn says "industrial stints are not always rewarded in the current system." Rohn adds an unanswered question raised during the discussion: "If we want to encourage leavers to leave early in their career, how can this be enforced?" To that, she says, further discussion lies ahead.
With the current research
With the current research funding levels that developed countries have decided to support through their granting agencies, charitable organizations and private companies, there are too many scientists at present. Moreover, we are training new investigators at a faster rate than ever before, which is exacerbating the problem. While encouraging senior scientists to retire earlier might create more job opportunities for junior investigators, I suspect that the rate of discovery and translation of new knowledge will suffer in the long run. True mastery of a research field can take decades of study and experience. While there may be a decline in cognitive ability and health with age, senior scientists that are dedicated to life long learning represent some of our societies greatest assets for improving the health as well as material and intellectual wealth of humanity. A recent study performed by Drs. Benjamin Jones and Bruce Weinberg published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (November 7, 2011, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1102895108) revealed that in recent years, almost of the Nobel prize winners for scientific research received their awards for work that they undertook after 40 years of age.
One factor that has probably hindered the translation of academic research into practical benefits for society at large is the inexperience of the vast majority of academics in industrial settings. These are the same individuals that we often look to train the next generation of scientists to work in industry, which is where most job opportunities exist. An increase in private-public partnerships is one means to improve the situation, but rising concerns about conflict of interest for academic researchers with more rigorous restrictions will probably render such partnerships even more difficult.
Entrepreneurial scientists commonly emerge from academia, and are often the founders of new technologies and companies. However, building companies is a very risky business that requires a combination of factors that can thwart even the most determined. However, when things go right, the job satisfaction is incomparable. Research for its own sake is a noble pursuit, but when it can lead to the betterment of many others in society, then it is especially meaningful.