A survey of early-career researchers in Australia
Early-career researchers (ECRs) make up a large portion of the academic workforce and their experiences often reflect the wider culture of the research system. Here we surveyed 658 ECRs working in Australia to better understand the needs and challenges faced by this community. Although most responde...
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eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
2021-01-01
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| Series: | eLife |
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| Online Access: | https://elifesciences.org/articles/60613 |
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doaj-9619b41525af45bc8cffa7f1e50bfd8a2021-05-05T22:40:23ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2021-01-011010.7554/eLife.60613A survey of early-career researchers in AustraliaKatherine Christian0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9690-1417Carolyn Johnstone1Jo-ann Larkins2Wendy Wright3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3388-1273Michael R Doran4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5876-4757School of Arts, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, AustraliaSchool of Arts, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, AustraliaSchool of Engineering, Information Technology and Physical Sciences, Federation University Australia, Churchill, AustraliaSchool of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Churchill, AustraliaSchool of Biomedical Sciences and Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Mater Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia; Skeletal Biology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United StatesEarly-career researchers (ECRs) make up a large portion of the academic workforce and their experiences often reflect the wider culture of the research system. Here we surveyed 658 ECRs working in Australia to better understand the needs and challenges faced by this community. Although most respondents indicated a ‘love of science’, many also expressed an intention to leave their research position. The responses highlight how job insecurity, workplace culture, mentorship and ‘questionable research practices’ are impacting the job satisfaction of ECRs and potentially compromising science in Australia. We also make recommendations for addressing some of these concerns.https://elifesciences.org/articles/60613ECRresearch culturecareer developmentscientific integritypostdocsjob security |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Katherine Christian Carolyn Johnstone Jo-ann Larkins Wendy Wright Michael R Doran |
| spellingShingle |
Katherine Christian Carolyn Johnstone Jo-ann Larkins Wendy Wright Michael R Doran A survey of early-career researchers in Australia eLife ECR research culture career development scientific integrity postdocs job security |
| author_facet |
Katherine Christian Carolyn Johnstone Jo-ann Larkins Wendy Wright Michael R Doran |
| author_sort |
Katherine Christian |
| title |
A survey of early-career researchers in Australia |
| title_short |
A survey of early-career researchers in Australia |
| title_full |
A survey of early-career researchers in Australia |
| title_fullStr |
A survey of early-career researchers in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed |
A survey of early-career researchers in Australia |
| title_sort |
survey of early-career researchers in australia |
| publisher |
eLife Sciences Publications Ltd |
| series |
eLife |
| issn |
2050-084X |
| publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
| description |
Early-career researchers (ECRs) make up a large portion of the academic workforce and their experiences often reflect the wider culture of the research system. Here we surveyed 658 ECRs working in Australia to better understand the needs and challenges faced by this community. Although most respondents indicated a ‘love of science’, many also expressed an intention to leave their research position. The responses highlight how job insecurity, workplace culture, mentorship and ‘questionable research practices’ are impacting the job satisfaction of ECRs and potentially compromising science in Australia. We also make recommendations for addressing some of these concerns. |
| topic |
ECR research culture career development scientific integrity postdocs job security |
| url |
https://elifesciences.org/articles/60613 |
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