November 03, 2022

The Crisis of "PhD graduates and Early-Career Scientists" is "Anomaly in the Anatomy of Academy!?.

The Crisis of "PhD graduates and Early-Career Scientists" is "Anomaly in the Anatomy of Academy!?.

In the latest "Nature Editorial", the following Editorial piece appeared (linked below). While the piece carries grim reality check on PhD graduate students based on results from a recent survey done by Nature,intention sure is a good one, they do not know how to write a title. The title itself is a questionable one, the plight of early career or PhD graduates low pay or living wage according to nature is a Scandal, like a Hollywood movie scandal or Washington DC scandal, is it?,Really Nature?. 

The living wage for graduate students or Post Docs or early scientists is not a Scandal, it is rather endemic, intrinsic system wide corrupt practice, because the academic structure is "Designed" that way?. 

It is not a temporary issue or a scandal between a supervisor or University admin or govt funding agencies, it is a crippling bigotry in "Equitable" treatment of young graduates and PostDocs, and it is a chronic debilitating structural issue of American Universities, Institutions as well as the global academic centers.

It is a Crisis that will deteriorate scientific endeavors and future scientific discoveries, once the young generation of scientists realize what they see or undergo is by design, interest and involvement in such field will take a nosedive, it is too late but still can be repaired and fixed. 

Ofcourse time is running out

Quote:"This year’s survey should set loud alarm bells ringing for anyone involved with recruiting and training the next generation of researchers. It demands swift, decisive action from governments and funding agencies to secure the future of science and the broader economic and social benefits that flow from it"".

fortunately Science still is meaningful and attractive to young minds around the world regardless of so much fakery and political derailing of science and research that recently happened or still happening in the name of Covid-19!?. Massively politicized, manipulated and utterly faked, mane made pandemic that lots of Scientists knowingly participated, events and unscientific approach like this would push the young minds that are already weary of "living wage or pay crisis" away from research..!

However, the fight and protest  

Quote: " On 11 October, a graduate-student group at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, staged a walkout as part of an ongoing protest calling for a guaranteed living wage and for the kinds of rights and benefits that come with academic employment contracts. The group is also looking to form a union, which it wants Dartmouth to recognize"
these young scientists put up to resolve these living wage and benefits issues that catapulted into "Unionization", the union way of fix up sure can help and heal the academic fractures to some extent, some centers like Uconn Health Center (UCHC) where the first Postdoctoral Union was formed prospered, became one of the finest research centers in America contrary to what most thought, unionization will fail, will create rift and not the right path ultimately bow down to the unionization, that is spreading all across US. However, I caution that Unionization works and it is fine to embrace, but the leaders and policy makers and stakeholders got to "overhaul" the way academic and research centers function with regard to "living wages and Pays" to graduates, PhD students and PostDocs, they are the Pillars of Science, medicine and Research!. A nation without best scientists and research will ultimately fail, will be a failed society. 

This Scientific crisis must never be looked at as a temporary or short term issue or a scandal that will go away or carpeted under academic ladder? but this is a pervasive existence of  "anomaly in the anatomy of academy!?.", the pain and endurance among early career students and graduates, PostDocs is not felt only during economic crisis or inflation or wall street crash!!!! 

 Quote:"The resulting financial pressures weigh more heavily on some than on others. They bear down particularly hard on people from low-income households, those who might be first in their families to go to university, and people from under-represented or historically marginalized groups — the very people whom universities are working diligently to recruit and retain.

perhaps little more pain during inflation or economic crisis but like a long lasting chronic pain, living wages and standard of living pain endurance for them continue through any and all state or countries economic condition..!.

Quote: "Institutions need to re-evaluate their approach to PhD support"

Exactly, not just re-evaluate, be proactive and make changes to their policies to lend support and encourage in healthy ways than damn discouraging atmosphere, a "wholesome" academic structural change and upliftment is inevitable to safegaurd the young scientists future, thereby Science's future.

Link to Nature Editorial:

The scandal of researchers paid less than a living wage (nature.com)

This is a system wide structural corruption within the academic

 Link to the Nature Article below:

  • EDITORIAL

The scandal of researchers paid less than a living wage

PS:

THIS IS AN EFFORT TO EDUCATE, UNITE AND VOICE FOR THE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS/POSTDOCS IN USA. ALL THE POSTDOCS AND POSTDOC WELL WISHERS ARE WELCOME TO CONTRIBUTE AND POST YOUR MESSAGE HERE. GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS POSTDOCS.

November 28, 2021

PostDocs, Graduate Students and visitors, use the Contact form, No longer use Nazi run LinkedIN

Hello Postdocs, graduate Students and all visitors to my Blogs, I no longer use or visit the Nazi run LinkedIN, this social network website and the management behind this company is promoting unscientific, fake, false information on many topics and limits real science and real event discussions on LinkedIN. 

Ever Since the Covid-19 Pandemic was unleashed, LinkedIN has done lots of damage to real science and true information by promoting fake info, fake data and false Scientific narratives. Because of that, lots of restrictions, posts removals, comments removal, many linkedIn members accounts restrictions, bans etc. Because of this dictatorial and LinkedINs policy against free speech and free expression, I decided to not use LinkedIN anymore. Unless LinkedIn changes its policy and clean up its corrupt and biased policies etc. Which is unlikely to happen. I urge anyone or all of you on my LinkedIN contacts or network to visit two of my blogs: Neuromonitoring1 and PostDocs UNion, use the contact form on these blogs to reach out if you want to connect with me. 

Thanks, Dr.Muni

Amost 15 years after the First PostDoc Union at UConn Health Center, now UConn main Campus Postdocs unionize!

The University of Connecticut main campus UCONN Postdocs are the latest to seek Unions for their postdocs, this makes one of the dozens of recent postdocs unionization in major Universities including Ivy league one's across USA.

The UConn Postdocs union gets its first contract approved!?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From UConn Postdocs union website!!

FIRST CONTRACT APPROVED!


HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR FIRST CONTRACT
UAW POSTDOCS UNION AND UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

In January 2020, postdocs voted 113 to 1 in favor of ratifying our first contract, an overwhelming 99% margin, with more than two-thirds of all UConn Postdocs voting yes.

Under state law, Connecticut’s legislature must approve contracts for it to into effect and due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the vote was delayed until this Spring. On April 28, 2021, the Connecticut state legislature voted to approve our contract with bi-partisan support, and it is now in effect!

The contract ensures substantial economic improvements and establishes critical new workplace rights for all Postdocs.

 https://uconnpostdocunion.org/

July 03, 2021

PostDocs and Graduate Students Uncertainty during Covid-19 Lockdown, what happened to Jobs?

What is going on with regard to PostDocs, internship, Grants and graduates training supports?. The Covid-19 Lockdown's impacts on PostDocs, early career researchers and PhD graduates is not a mainstream media topic, they would rather go write about some useless topics and not spent time for deserved subjects like PostDocs issues. However, some rare journalists and independent writers continue to highlight and bring attention to the issues, like this one on Graduates plight during lockdown, plight is pretty bad!?.

Uncertainty Looms as Student Jobs are Disappearing During the Great Lockdown

May 15, 2020

Canceled jobs, hiring freezes, and general uncertainty for the future have taken job opportunities from many students amid the COVID-19 pandemic—but this is just a reflection of a larger issue. The U.S. economy is entering a recession that threatens to be worse than any other in the past: the Great Lockdown. Small businesses across the country are in danger of closing, the unemployment rate is the highest it has been since the Great Depression, government responses are slow and hard to access, and experts are unsure of the path for recovery for industries impacted the most.

Check the article Linked to the title (blue)

 

March 03, 2021

Boston Area "PostDocs" collect huge Data about Postdocs from 13 univerisites/instituitions to make changes

Boston city and surrounding area has several universities, research institutions and scientific centers, the local postdoc group called BPDA seems to be collecting comprehensive data about postdoc jobs, postdoc salaries, benefits etc from 13 university/institutions around Boston area!. to help postdocs and improve their plight.

Check out their sites and activities here:

https://bostonpostdocs.org/

We are a regional coalition of postdoc associations and postdoc representatives from 17 Boston area Postdoctoral Associations

Our aim is to foster a sense of community, encourage increased communication, and aid in creating a collaborative environment among postdocs by advocacy efforts and organizing social and career development events to bring together postdocs across the Greater Boston Area

February 22, 2020

Nature: No One is Allowed go to out!, Science and Research around the world affected by Coronavirus!!!

Today's Nature Editorial Reviews the impact of Coronavirus on Scientific community and Scientific Research as a whole in China and around the world!.

A resident wearing a protective mask walks on an empty business street in Wuhan, China
China and the Empty Streets, Image from Nature.com
A Review of the Coronavirus spread and its impact on Scientific community in China and world wide will wake up even the most insensitive and callous politicians around the world, however, many politicians or policy makers in governments in US and around the world living in denial, joining them are the economic pundits and fake heads, who claim Coronavirus has no financial damage to American Economy?.. Well, will you trust these fakers or trust a Scientific Review by Nature. who has no political or other interest to tell the true story. Trumps policy and stand on scientific research already is as worst as Bush's, both of them did a major hair-cut to scientific funding, with that kind of mind set, and zero interest or knowledge about Science, he seems to totally undermine what a Pandemic like coronovirus can do to the local city, country and to the world/
Nature shows us the glimpse of its deadly impact on Research by surveying or listening to about 600 researchers, scientists and university members in China and world wide!.
According to this Nature reviews, as we also heard from various other news and sources, that most cities in China are in lock-down, most streets are empty, so what is happening to all the universities and research institutions in China, its been shut down!. The Chinese Science and Research is in a frozen state, that is horrible for the nation of China, but wait, there is so much interconnection to science/research to various parts of the world, in terms of scientific supply, it is a two way traffic, China needs world scientific supplies and China in turn is a big supplier of tools, technologies, chemicals, reagents to all research products!, and that chain is frozen too as Chinese research is frozen?.
Nature calls it is wrecking havoc!?.. Hey Politicians, Policy makers can you hear that?..
Here is the Review:
‘No one is allowed to go out’: your stories from the coronavirus outbreak

From laboratory closures to equipment shortages, researchers worldwide tell Nature how they have been affected by the epidemic. 
 The outbreak of a new coronavirus is wreaking havoc worldwide. In China, the epicentre of the epidemic, the virus has infected tens of thousands of people and killed more than 2,100. Unprecedented measures meant to contain the spread have brought millions of daily lives to a halt, and the effects have touched economies and global supply chains.

December 28, 2019

PostDoc Unions and Unionization news goes academic mainstream!

It is interesting to observe that PostDocs Union is steadily getting its due attention from scientific community as well from publishers after almost 15 years of the very First officially PostDoc Union established at the University of Connecticut Health Center, UCHC. A new tradition and history was set by us at the UCHC with "PostDocs Union".


An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is elife-05614-fig1.jpg
from the journal eLife, find the Link and article below
This one is particularly special as the report is published by eLife (academic/scientific journal)
and found on PubMed!.
PubMed is a """
US National Library of Medicine. National Institutes of Health. PubMed Central® (PMC) is a free full-text archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM)""""
NIH and PubMed, the main US govts scientific org and publication channel.

As most of postdoc union activities reported as news by various newspapers  seldom one can notice such reports published in research or scientific journals except in Science and Nature that frequently discuss postdoc news but not so much about PostDoc unions, well that trend inside Nature and Science  is also changing rapidly as both these private science publishers are increasingly focusing on Postdoc union and graduate students issues  in recent years.


Here is the report:
Original Article Link:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4238050/

. 2014; 3: e05614.
Published online 2014 Nov 21. doi: 10.7554/eLife.05614
PMCID: PMC4238050
PMID: 25415240

How postdocs benefit from building a union

Abstract

Members of UAW 5810—the union for postdoctoral researchers at the University of California—describe how their union has led to improved terms and conditions for postdocs.
In recent years there has been an increasing amount of discussion about the problems facing the scientific research workforce in the US (). As the number of Ph.D. graduates has gone up (), and the competition for jobs and grants has increased, more and more young researchers are spending longer and longer in postdoctoral positions as they try to secure a permanent job (). Consequently, the way that academia treats postdocs will have a huge impact on the future of research, in universities and beyond.

Featured Post

Univerisity of Washington PostDocs Forming Union- Latest University PostDocs to Unionize!

University of Washington, yet another top notch higher education/research institute known for an impressive history and record setting, rig...

UC System & the Number of PostDocs?

How many PostDocs work at the UC system, this is one of the largest PostDoc group in US and probably in the world, what happens here can be a great event!. When things said and done on the PostDoc unionization, they will join the only Unionized PostDocs, the Uconn Health center Postdocs. Here is the latest numbers from the UC postdoc society website?

Postdocs in Numbers
UC Berkeley 1150
UC Davis 800
UC Irvine 344
UC Los Angeles 1110
UC Merced 20
UC Riverside 200
UC Santa Barbara 300
UC Santa Cruz 148
UC San Diego 907
UC San Francisco 1100
Total 6059

The above numbers are approximate and were correct to within 10 in
March 2008.


NeuroMonitoring- My Professional Blog

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Academic Productivity, a Blog about Academia???

Academics salaries lower than automobile industry worker salary?

Though, a comparision between an academician and a autoworker is not the right choice to do a salary or work related benefits, it certainly brings an issue of importance. What exactly academic people get as a benefits is a daunting task?. Read further about the disparity of salary for academicians and the following thoughtful comments by readers of the blog.


From Mark J. Perry’s blog, I just learned that the average UAW worker with a high school degree earns 57.6% more compensation than the average university professor with a Ph.D. Considering that there are plenty of academic positions that do not enjoy the average salary mentioned in the blog post, this is something to worry about. Average Postdoc salaries according to the NSF are nowhere closer to this figure, and you have to add the uncertainty of these positions (they are always short-term) and mobility demands (expect to move to a different university sooner or later). And of course, academic work longer hours and suffer a lot more psychological stress than car factory workers.

PostDocs Out There!

What PostDocs Favor?

Postdocs favor top biomedical research institutes
Several of the world's top biomedical research institutes--including a couple run by biopharma giants--have made this year's list of the best places for postdocs to work. The annual ranking by The Scientist for the U.S. includes the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (4); U.T.'s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (5); Genentech (6); the Fox Chase Cancer Center (7) and the Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (15). Among the top international institutions ranked, the University of Cambridge in the UK jumped from 9th to first place, largely because of their focus on professional training.
The survey found that institutions which consistently rank at the top of the heap are noted for their ability to listen to postdocs' concerns "about uncertain career opportunities, work/life balance, and the need for first-rate professional development."

Some Science this Week?

cow pic LATEST HIGHLIGHT
Population genetics: Rich pastures for cattle genomics
Nature Reviews Genetics
1 April 2008
Two recent papers show how genomics approaches that are applied widely in humans can be put to use in an important livestock species. This Research Highlight discusses these advances — a new method for identifying large numbers of SNPs in cattle, and the use of SNP-based mapping to study inherited disorders in this species.

Interesting Little Piece on Diversity &

From Nature.com, Postdoc Journal

I'm an alien

Jon Yearsley is a senior postdoc in evolutionary genetics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Finding refuge in my science.

"Naturalisations en masse, STOP," is one of the more startling political posters that I pass as I cycle into work. The poster shows that the rights of foreigners are once more up for debate. This reminds me that I, as a Brit, am an alien in this European society.

When it comes to my research, the environment is as familiar as a decent pint of English ale and BBC Radio 4. The culture of science is truly international, and interesting research is exciting in any language. At the last count, my department was home to 18 nationalities, making it almost as diverse as the flowers in a Swiss alpine meadow. And rather than this turning into a Tower of Babel, science is done, null hypotheses are refuted, papers are published and impact factors are recorded.

My research gives a welcome dose of the familiar in what can sometimes be an unfamiliar culture. I wasn't brought up with alpine cows, wrapping my lips around french vowels or trying the odd yodel. The unfamiliar is fun, but I'm glad that my habitual pursuit, science, is an important one. Arguably, scientific method crosses national boundaries. I like to think that even a bug-eyed alien postdoc from a distant planet would find some common currency with earthling academics.

PostDocs Union: New Minimum Ssalary: $37, 740!!

SALARY AND STIPEND LEVELS

UCSF Graduate Division

Current University of California Office of the President, UCSF Graduate Division, and UCSF Graduate Council policies require that postdoctoral scholars receive a minimum compensation equal to $37,400 (effective October 1, 2009). This salary level was established by the UC Office of the President and was consistent with the NIH salary scale at time of announcement. [IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH PRO/UAW, THE NEW MINIMUM SALARY FOR POSTDOCS WILL BE $37,740 AS OF 9/1/10. SEE THE UCOP WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. PLEASE CONTACT THE UCSF POSTDOC OFFICE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. (jeannine.cuevas@ucsf.edu or christine.desjarlais@ucsf.edu; ph 514-4852)]

UC PostDoc Union Proposal, now Public Document, Read it at the Link?

The union has been working to put together proposal to bring to the University. There was an election for the initial proposal ratification that passed in December. The union and the University have now exchanged proposals which are now public documents: 

(http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/ne
ws_events/0901-heera_notice_px.html). 

There will be opportunity for public comment on these proposals (on both sides) Jan 20th at the UC administration building in Oakland, and also Feb 3rd. Laura encouraged PD to attend and comment. The first bargaining meeting between the union and the University will be held Feb 5th and 6th. The union will be conducting bargaining surveys over the next couple of months to get PD input, however PD must sign a card to give input. They are also conducting campus working conditions surveys to collect information on good and bad practices. The union will also be seeking authorization to go on strike if necessary during the bargaining process. This will be done through an election, no date has been set. PD who would like more information or have questions can contact Laura. Chair’s note: Laura confirmed that signing a card to give input does NOT enroll a person

PostDocs in Canada Unionize, win Union Battle?

Western’s Postdocs Win Union Battle
Postdoctoral associates at the University of Western Ontario will soon be bargaining a collective agreement as the latest in a growing number of postdocs that are unionizing at universities across North America.Western’s administration oppos­ed the union move, arguing that postdocs at the London campus were independent contractors who didn’t meet the legal definition of em­plo­­yees. The issue went before the On­­tario Labour Relations Board that ruled in favour of the more than 200 workers, certifying the Pu­blic Service Alliance of Ca­nada as their bargaining agent on Sept. 30.

PostDocs in India

How often you hear about PostDocs in general, and how often you hear news about PostDocs in India or China?. Which brings a question?, are there PostDoc jobs in India and China?. PostDocs in these countries is relatively a new development, remember the first time PostDoc was introduced in USA during 1870's, it was such a luxury, it was used to gain some special expertise to expand once background and it was not necessary to have a PostDoc in order to get a Job in Academia or in other arena's?. This is not the case today, it became so important to have PostDoc experience to get a decent job, and may be more than a couple of PostDoctoral position and even after such a prolonged procrastination in Academia, there are huge number of PostDocs life is a treacherous one?.... If this is the case in USA, just imagine in India and China?. PhD holders from India and China used to migrate in huge numbers to US, the conditions of PostDocs got gradually worsened in terms of salary, benefits, child care and future career opportunities, it became like a Slavery in Academia?.
PostDoc Salary is the most debated issue of all of a postdoc's life. So much happened in the past 10 years to PostDoc activities in US. The most profound activity was the postdoc unionization of the Uconn Health Center, followed by the unionization by the largest Postdoc campus in US or perhaps in the world the University of California campuses.
No one knows how terrible could be the postdoc conditions in developing poor nations like India and China, but there is certainly no information about many European, African, Asian and South American nations. Most of the postdoc data available thus far are from US, Canada, UK and the rest of the world's postdoc data is simply redundant?.
Two of the most important countries to watch for postdocs concern or PostDoc plights are India and China, these two nations alone bulk produce two- thirds of the PostDoc pool of this world, while most of them used to move out to either west, Europe or Australia, the trend is changing, more Indians look for the green pastures right there in India, I believe the same applies to Chinese youngsters.
But, is the Indian govt or higher education bodies do their jobs to keep postdocs career equitable and respectable?.
The answer is no, there is not even a body to monitor the welfare of postdocs, at least in US, there is NIH standard and there is the National Science Foundation and various other bodies that influence policy making for postdocs. On top of All the above the new found awareness of PostDocs in US catapulted by UCONN PostDocs after they Unionized? Their unionization is greatly helping a sea change in postdocs plight. Hope the postdocs in India and China watch and learn some lessons and start tightening the policy making to benefit the postdocs....!
So, what is happening to PostDocs in India, I could not find much news, but the Nature forum has a little bit of discussion going on......

This is a public forum

Postdoc Salary in India

Saturday, 21 Feb 2009 18:36 UTC

Hello All
I am Arun, pursuing postdoc in India. I am personally not satisfied with the postdoc stipend offered in India and I believe that the handful of students doing postdoc in India might concur with my view.

The low salaries offered to Postdocs in India is one of the major factor which is impelling Indian students to either pursue postdoc abroad or to join private R&D establishments. This is slowly devolving the scientific future of India.

Read Further:

The Plight of Japan's PostDocs?

The Fate of Japan's Postdocs and their obscure future?

Japan's postdocs open to alternative work

Toshiyuki Misu1 & Akira Horoiwa1

The government and universities must highlight non-academic careers and nurture a diverse skill set, say Toshiyuki Misu and Akira Horoiwa.

Postdocs in Japan have had a tough time finding permanent positions, either in academia or in the private sector. In a 2005 survey by the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) to identify postdocs' career intentions, we investigated people's awareness of and desire for non-traditional science jobs (NISTEP Report 161). We asked about 10% of the postdocs in Japan to participate, 66% of whom responded.


Rutgers PostDocs are on their way to Unionize successefully, FAQ!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get involved with a postdoc union when I don’t plan on being around in a year?

If not you, then who? The postdocs who are currently employed at Rutgers have a vote over whether they and future generations of postdocs get to have a meaningful voice in determining their pay and working conditions. Also, any improvements we can make here can serve to raise standards for postdocs at other institutions across the country.

PostDoc Message Group

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© 2006 Dr.Muni Global Education Foundation [MGEF]

UCLA PostDoc Union Negotiations with University?

Subject: Update on Postdoctoral Scholar Negotiations
UCLA Graduate Division

Dear Deans, Directors, Chairs, and Faculty:

As of November 3, 2008, the University of California recognized the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) as the exclusive representative for addressing wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for the following Postdoctoral Scholar title codes:
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (Title Code 3252)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Fellow (Title Code 3253)
• Postdoctoral Scholar – Paid Direct (Title Code 3254)
• Postgraduate Researcher – FY (Title Code 3240)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY State Funds (Title Code 3243)
• Postgraduate Researcher – AY Extramural Funds (Title Code 3245
• Visiting _________ - Postdoc (Title Code 3370)

The University and the UAW have commenced negotiations on an initial collective bargaining agreement for the postdoctoral scholars unit. Below is a short summary of negotiations currently in progress.

UPDATE ABOUT POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR NEGOTIATIONS – APRIL 3, 2009

SUMMARY INFORMATION

Today's PostDoc & their Plight?

A man of his stature with the title “the NIH director”, supposed to be the highest and most respectable government authority and policy maker on issues in science/medicine writes “we should not eat our seed corn but protect it”?.

his writings underlies the fact that even this high and mighty NIH director knows the problem of the young scientists of today?, especially the postdoctoral fellows. But yet, neither he nor the scientific committee's at the NIH has taken necessary measures to help improve the current NIH funding system. This area is grossly/largely ignored or deliberately let loose without much restructuring.

The whole academia or higher education system in USA needs a careful reorganization, otherwise what you see will continue, a single faculty of 65 or 70 years old will have all the funding available and sit on it for years until his/her demented brain kills all the funding with as many as 32 grants (MOST OUTRAGEOUS DISPARITY) and

our most valuable and efficient young scientists will be struggling to meet the ends between the academia, lab and their family commitments.

What our current academic policies and atmosphere does to our young scientists is to chase the potential scientists out of labs and academia. Why blame these youngsters if they seek green Pasteur elsewhere like a “biotech job or an industry job”, they have no choice than to look elsewhere for their future.


STEM EDUCATION

Plight of the Postdoc

Is Modern American Science Strangling Its Young Talents In the Cradle?

In some cases, one can even single out

an apparent hoarding of research funds.
In 2007, two hundred scientists received six or more NIH grants, and a single investigator won 32 grants, while many others got close to ten.
An NIH advisory panel has recommended that grant awardees devote at least 20 percent of their time to each, but these numbers show a clear disconnect between intentions and reality. These multiple awards are going to established investigators—who are certainly not spending one fifth of their time per study—while younger scientists would probably devote more energies to the work. Thus, laboratories around the country are fostering a “survival of the oldest” dynamic.