THE BODY advising the Government on science and technology policy has recommended a major restructuring of science careers in Ireland.
The move from the Advisory Council on Science, Technology and Innovation comes as the Government and business attempt to foster greater interest in science among students.
The report acknowledges that an increasing number of world-class researchers are being trained in Ireland.
But it says a more defined career structure is required to ensure industry and higher education colleges can take full advantage.
The report, Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers, was produced by a taskforce of the council after months of consultation with stakeholders including academics, industry and the public sector and researchers. It key findings include:
An appropriate career structure enabling the professionalisation of careers in research.
Researchers in third-level institutions at similar levels should have comparable terms and conditions, including pension provision.
These levels should also be comparable to those prevailing in enterprise and in the public sector.
Researchers should be taught business skills such as how to commercialise research results, as well as receiving management and marketing training.
Master's and PhD students should also receive training in planning their careers. They should be given improved career information, and should be directed towards gaining international and enterprise/public sector experience during their graduate studies.
Greater mobility, with continued research funding should the researcher go overseas for a period to continue this work.
Dolores Cahill, the leader of the taskforce, said increased funding for research had greatly increased the numbers of researchers employed in third-level institutions.
But she warned: "Many of these researchers, however, are being retained in third-level institutions which simply will not be able to continue employing these numbers."
"Researchers will develop their full potential and the economy will benefit fully only if researchers move easily between academic institutions and the private sector, and between Ireland and other countries.
"A defined researcher career structure within third-level colleges will better prepare researchers for roles in enterprise and the public sector.''
