A generation of junior faculty is at risk from the impacts of COVID-19.

Louise Dyson,Tiffany M Lowe-Power,Abigail M Polter

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3001266

Abstract

For junior investigators starting their independent careers, the challenges of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extend beyond lost time and are career threatening. Without intervention, academic science could lose a generation of talent.

Highlights

The past year has been a period of lost time and slow pArUog:rePslse.aTshenisotethatCOVID time has been exceptionally stressful for investigators in the early stages of their career, such as postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and junior faculty
We are cognizant that funding bodies and academic institutions are working with limited budgets, it will be critical for scientists and administrators to advocate to the government and their institutions that increased research funding for junior investigators is critical to recovering from the pandemic and ensuring that the investments already made in junior faculty are not lost
As the COVID-19 pandemic fades into memory, it is essential that the senior scientists making career-defining decisions on hiring, tenure, and funding for junior academics do not forget the impact the pandemic has had

Summary

Introduction

The past year has been a period of lost time and slow pArUog:rePslse.aTshenisotethatCOVID time has been exceptionally stressful for investigators in the early stages of their career, such as postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and junior faculty. Junior faculty are not the only group whose careers are threatened by the pandemic; many of these same hardships impact early career researchers such as postdoctoral fellows who have not yet obtained an independent position. These researchers will need concentrated efforts to ensure that their careers can be maintained past the pandemic.

Results

Conclusion