Female Scientists Turn Their Backs on Jobs at Research Universities

Many say liberal-arts colleges provide a better place for women to thrive

By ALISON SCHNEIDER

Deborah S. Gross doesn't have a fancy lab, a $1-million grant, or a bevy of graduate students to do her bidding. But she doesn't consider herself an also-ran as a scientist, even if a lot of big-time researchers might disagree.

As an assistant professor...