New Niches for Life Scientists

Abstract

We write in response to the National Research Council (NRC) report ([1][1]), which outlines the difficulties that many new recipients of life-science doctorates have in securing research positions in the traditional arenas of academia, government, and industry. This report has stimulated considerable discussion in Science (C. Holden, “Report paints grim outlook for young Ph.D.s,” News of the Week, 11 Sept., p. [1584][2]) and other international journals ([2][3]). Asserting that traditional Ph.D.s must retool their skill sets for a changing job market, the NRC report recommends that new programs should train researchers for emerging fields. At least one such program currently exists. In 1996, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established Post-doctoral Fellowships in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Education (PFSMETE) to provide recently graduated Ph.D.s with “the opportunities to develop expertise in facets of science education research that would qualify them for the new range of educational positions that will come with the 21st century.” With this innovative allocation of funds, the NSF encourages promising scientists to study and contribute to education, thus positioning fellows to assist educational reform efforts at all levels. Simultaneously, the industrial sector is providing funding for initiatives that fellows with precisely this training can facilitate (J. Couzin, “A record grant for college programs,” News of the Week, 18 Sept., p. [1779][4]). Such opportunities encourage valuable new collaborations among scientists and educators. Current fellows are working cooperatively with teachers and education researchers to develop and rigorously evaluate novel curricula, software, and a variety of learning materials that stimulate critical thinking in diverse classroom settings. Programs like PFSMETE give scientists the opportunity to create new niches in the academic and private sectors. Although still in its infancy, the PFSMETE program exemplifies the type of initiative that will allow doctoral recipients to adapt to the changing employment environment. We encourage other private and public funding agencies to contribute to these creative efforts. 1. [↵][5]Trends in the Early Careers of Life Scientists (National Research Council, Washington, DC, 1998) (available at [www.nas.edu][6]. 2. [↵][7]Nature 395, 101 (1998). [OpenUrl][8][CrossRef][9][PubMed][10][Web of Science][11] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.281.5383.1584a [3]: #ref-2 [4]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.281.5384.1779a [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [6]: http://www.nas.edu [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [8]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNature%26rft.stitle%253DNature%26rft.issn%253D0028-0836%26rft.volume%253D395%26rft.issue%253D6698%26rft.spage%253D101%26rft.epage%253D101%26rft.atitle%253DYoung%2Bscientists%2Bdeserve%2Bbetter%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bsystem%2B%2528yet%2Bagain%2529%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1038%252F25794%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F9744254%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1038/25794&link_type=DOI [10]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=9744254&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F282%2F5392%2F1265.5.atom [11]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000075829900001&link_type=ISI