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Kevin's avatar

Another aspect that complements the considerations presented in this series: the effect that the research university model has on research employment and career opportunities. For the most part, the only way to have a successful career in research is to become a professor and take the "principal investigator" role. There are few of these positions and they're not a good fit for everyone, but the primary alternative is a succession of short-term postdoctoral research positions with very uncertain funding and prospects. Dedicated "scientist" roles for non-professors and non-PIs only exist at a handful of labs. This also means that obtaining a PI position often requires moving to undesirable locations, because the positions follow the geographic distribution of universities. There are political benefits to that, but it certainly does not help retain and promote the best and brightest in research careers.

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Richard Brannin's avatar

Thank you for presenting a very thoughtful discussion of the role of the University and an alternative to its singular role.

Bell Labs produced so many great ideas and turned them into products.

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