Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) 2009’ was launched at the recent Vitae researcher development conference. Though I haven’t read the survey yet, according to the press release, it found that overall most research staff feel valued and are satisfied with their work-life balance, with an improvement in engagement with induction, appraisal and training opportunities. The report does call for more recognition of the wider contributions of research staff and encourage them to be more realistic and broader in their career aspirations and more active in their own career development planning.

I thought it was quiet timely that shortly after this came out, the following article was published: Real Lives and White Lies in the Funding of Scientific Research by Peter A. Lawrence. The Article has the tag line – The granting system turns young scientists into bureaucrats and then betrays them – and follows the trials and tribulations of a young research trying to get funding.