Early career biomedical researchers often spend many years in postdoctoral positions without a chance to pursue their own research goals or establish independent reputations in their fields, the report notes. This “crisis of expectation” may be driving young scientists away from academic positions and stifling creative directions for research, according to Thomas Cech, Ph.D., who chaired the report committee.

“Science would benefit from a system that actively encourages new investigators to try out novel ideas and approaches,” he said. “Our report offers a plan to help ensure the continued vitality of the biomedical research enterprise and its workforce.”

The report recommends a strict limit of postdoctoral positions of no more than five years, after which a researcher should be promoted to “staff scientist” and assume new responsibilities. Grant money to support postdoctoral researchers should be shifted away from the R01 research grants given to principal investigators and put toward individual and independent grants for young researchers, the report also suggests. Cech and his co-authors also recommend that established investigators include more detailed information in their own grant applications on how they plan to mentor postdoctoral researchers.

To read the full report, “Bridges to Independence: Fostering the Independence of New Investigators in Biomedical Research,” go here.