Madam, - A report in your Health Supplement of July 5th on the opening of Trinity College's Neuroscience Institute states that the new institute will enrol "60 PhD postdoctoral students" and also cater for "additional postdoctoral students".
It appears that the writer has confused postgraduate students with post-doctoral researchers. The two are not equivalent. Post-doctoral researchers are professionals who have completed their studies.
This error underlines a widespread lack of recognition of the key role played by post-doctoral researchers.
The Irish Government is attempting to develop a knowledge-based economy through excellence in research. Most of the research and training in Irish third-level institutes is conducted by the post-doctoral sector.
Yet post-doctoral researchers are maintained on short-term contracts with few benefits. We believe that the decline in the numbers choosing science and technology at third level is influenced by such factors.
If the Government's goal is to be achieved, research careers in Ireland must be made more attractive. Rhetoric must be matched by action. - Yours, etc,
ALISON DONNELLY,
Chairperson, Trinity
Research Staff Association,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.