What chemistry grads do in Academia

BlindWilly
Thu, 28 Apr 2011 08:39:15 +0000

A main point of the article in Nature is that the research funding allows for hiring of graduate students and post docs but not permanent PIs. This creates a distortion in the preparation of scientists, so that there is a ‘PhD bubble’. It also implies that the universities are complicit by accepting the funding to generate more degreed scientist than can be gainfully employed.

I’ve seen this at the lab where I work. Over the past decade, PI positions have declined by 25%, technical positions have shifted from permanent to temporary, and PIs compete for sufficient funding to hire post docs.

While I agree with Inmotion12 that it is a ‘buyers beware’ world and students bear some responsibility in defining a successful career. I do worry as a father to a budding scientist that universities are upfront with students about career prospects.

I don’t necessarily agree with Inmotion12’s ‘adapt or don’t’ argument. I think that is too simplistic.