September 21, 2007

The Real Science Crisis: Bleak Prospects for Young Researchers

By RICHARD MONASTERSKY

Tight budgets, scarce jobs, and stalled reforms push students away from scientific careers

It is the best of times and worst of times to start a science career in the United States.

Researchers today have access to powerful new tools and techniques — such as rapid gene sequencers and giant telescopes — that have accelerated the pace of discovery beyond the imagination of previous generations.

But for many of today's graduate students, the future