The Tough & Uncertain Life of a Postdoc

An interesting column from Jennifer Rohn in Nature yesterday. She lifts the lid on the difficult and insecure career path of postdocs, particularly in the life sciences, which is her area. The uncertainty and relatively poor terms and conditions for postdocs is wasting generations of scientists, she argues. What we need instead is a different kind of researcher position, a permanent post with the security and conditions that go with it. Whilst this may appear to be the expensive option, it would have considerable benefits for labs, which won't lose the knowledge and experience every 3 or 4 years.
The idea is supported by the various comments that follow the piece, although all question if and how such a concept would work in practice. Do take time to have a read through to get an insight on the difficulties that postdocs face as they make their way into academia.

March on London 9 Oct: Science is Vital

A Facebook group already numbering 1,707 members is planning to organise a rally in central London on 9th October to challenge the Government's plans to cut spending on science and innovation. 'At a time when other countries are investing in science to rejuvenate the economy, funding for science and innovation here will have to be slashed,' they state. 'Only the best will be funded, and the rest can leave the country or flip burgers.'

The group was set up by Jennifer Rohn, a post-doc cell biologist at UCL. Details are still to be confirmed, but as well as the rally they plan to lobby Parliament on Tuesday 12th October, 10-12, Committee Room 10.

'Membership of this group is open to everybody who wants to support science in the UK,' they say. 'Whether you're a scientist or not, please join up, spread the word, and get involved.'