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IS THERE LIFE AFTER THE POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP?
28 March 2007

The careers of Australia's talented mid-career scientists are a focus of concern for the nation's peak science body, the Australian Academy of Science.

Australia's looming skills shortage can only be addressed if career paths are improved to attract talented scientists in to research and teaching, and most importantly, to keep them there.

Some of Australia's leading scientists across 20 scientific disciplines met at the Shine Dome last week, and agreed that the careers of many young Australian scientists are in a holding pattern.

The lack of suitable, secure positions, with remuneration on a par with what can be obtained overseas, is attracting and keeping our best talent off-shore. This creates a cycle of fewer people studying the fundamental science subjects, finding a career in research, or becoming science and mathematics teachers to train and inspire the next generation.

The solution is the creation of schemes to offer security and pay parity for scientists who have completed one or two post-doctoral fellowships. There is an urgent need for more mid-career fellowships, especially in the ARC.

Academy President Professor Kurt Lambeck says: "Career structure is a large issue, especially for young post-docs. The academic world can be seen as a pyramid, where there are numerous places available on the lower rungs, but where higher positions become scarcer. Where do post-docs go?"

The group identified the issue of Australia permanently losing many valuable post-docs internationally, and suggested a scheme (the "Boomerang Scheme") to tempt Australians back to the country before they became too settled overseas. The scheme would involve substantial start-up funds, a salary equivalent to Australian peers, and job security. In addition, the scheme may also be used to attract international top scientists from around the world to Australia.

Notes for news editors

For more detailed information on the Academy of Science, including the Meeting of Chairs of National Committees, go to http://www.science.org.au/natcoms/index.htm