The Invisible University: Postdoctoral Education in the United States. Report of a Study Conducted Under the Auspices of the National Research Council. [Richard B. Curtis, Study Director] (1969) / Chapter Skim
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IMPLICATIONS FOR NONACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
IMPLICATIONS FOR NONACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
Pages 194-204
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From page 194... ...
Although the distinction is usually made between applied and basic science, the director of a nonprofit laboratory was probably close to the core of the problem when he said: "I believe the strongest bias of most new PhD's is not for basic and against applied research, but for research problems of their own choosing and against research problems they are directed to study." How this bias is to be overcome or how mission- or product-oriented research can use this bias to maximum benefit is of critical importance to the 194
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From page 195... ...
PhD's from the same institutions and fields regardless of their subsequent employment. The other category includes, in addition to those who return to a foreign country,2 1 National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Science and Public Policy, Applied Science and Technological Progress, V
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From page 196... ...
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From page 197... ...
Research Funds and Recruitment of Postdoctorals It has been alleged, for example, that the involvement of universities in missionoriented research and the use by universities of postdoctorals has created a competition between universities and nonacademic research organizations, both industrial and nonprofit, for federal funds and for superior young PhD's. Two questions immediately arise.
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From page 198... ...
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From page 199... ...
For the nonuniversity research institution the effects include increased competition for men with training at the doctoral level, increasing unavailability of professors for consulting, lectures, etc. The director of research for an optical company sees postdoctoral appointments as a significant factor in the competition: It is not only apparent that competition has developed between universities and other research organizations for funds, it is also apparent that the funding policies have led to a competition of all the research organizations for candidates for postdoctoral appointments.
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From page 200... ...
I don.t think postdoctoral experience can ever be justified simply on the basis that the new PhD would like to spend a year in California, or Europe, or wherever, before he settles down to a regular job. Neither do I think that postdoctoral fellowships can ever be justified merely by the fact that a professor needs a couple of new PhD.s to help him carry out a government-funded research program, although I am certain that this is not infrequently the case.
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From page 201... ...
We find that many PhD's have a completely erroneous view of the nature of applied research within industry, and that this ignorance appears to start with the student.s instructor at the university. It appears on occasion that this instructor himself has developed an imaginary view of the nature of industrial research, and this deters the student from leaving the more basic research of the university.
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From page 202... ...
Harvey Brooks, in the lead article of the National Academy of Sciences report to the House Committee on Science and Astronautics5 on applied science, cites a number of the problems that face a university in providing the appropriate environment for applied research and suggests a number of criteria that should be prerequisites for research of that kind in the university. However, not all who perceive an academic aloofness from the "real world" agree that it is a serious problem, or even that it is a problem at all.
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From page 203... ...
... I do not believe that the university experience of a young PhD in motivating him away from applied research and toward basic research is bad.
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From page 204... ...
He goes on to say: I have the feeling that most of the individuals taking postdoctoral work believe that today, to obtain good academic appointments, postdoctoral experience is required or, at least, is an asset in looking for a job. It is my impression resulting from our interviewing PhD candidates that those who have already developed an interest in industrial research feel that one or two years in the university will not be of much assistance to them in furthering their career.
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