Aging scientists and what to do about it

[Editor]

Just letting you all know there's a nice discussion going on over at my latest blog post about how frustrating it is for mid-career researchers to get scientific funding. Somewhere along in the comment thread, I wondered if it was worth starting a mini-revolution over. I mean, do you think the likes of major funding bodies would consider a petition - especially if a case could be made that the current "expiry dates" for postdocs could be discriminating against people who have primary responsibilities for children? Feel free to comment there or here and let me know what you think.

[tideliar]

In the US NIH system this discussion, or variants thereof, has been raging for a while. The consensus seems to be that no, there's nothing we can do. Too much money in the hands of the people that benefit from the staus quo :/

[Editor]

It strikes me that if proof could be brought to bear that it was de facto discrimination against, say, women, that this is the sort of legislative issue at which the European Union excels.

Just sayin'.

Not that it would help you (us?) Yanks, though.

[Octavia]

Is it just me or are the forums suddenly on amphetamines?

I think this could be an EU-sensitive issue but I'm guessing it would consume the life/lives of whatever postdoc(s) decided to challenge the rules. (Class-action suit, high profile celeb solicitor working pro-bono, perhaps? Get Max Clifford to do PR? ) Which would sort of defeat the purpose of doing this to have a shot at a scientific career.........

[tideliar]

nail on the head there I think. I decry postdoc apathy but at the same time I understand it - your bench career is dependent on your lab skills and publication record. I too was far less ambitious about 'changing the world" or at least the system until I realised I had to leave the lab. now I have an increased impetus to change because it now directly affects my career.

[Editor]

More blogpost responses to this here - http://occamstypewriter.org/athenedonal ... e-is-fair/
and my response here - http://occamstypewriter.org/mindthegap/ ... and-ideas/

I think it's very hard for the two sides - established PIs and older postdocs - to reach an agreement on this fraught issue. I guess we each have to fight our corner; as long as we stay congenial and respectable, I don't see a problem with it.

[tideliar]

In the US NIH system this discussion, or variants thereof, has been raging for a while. The consensus seems to be that no, there's nothing we can do. Too much money in the hands of the people that benefit from the staus quo :/

[Editor]

I know it's not a popular stance, but I still think it's worth considering asking the private sector to contribute more money to science (and therefore, science positions), seeing as how they skim off so many highly trained people - people they don't have to train. More money in the pot might ease a lot of the pressure points.

[Dr Mike]

I am guessing that some industries already do this - such as pharma, giving project grants and fellowships. But I guess it's the more oblique companies that aren't paying their way. I hear that the banking sector slurps up lots of disgruntled PhD/postdocs - and they, arguably, could afford to contribute to their training.