Re:How to support open-source software and stay sane
by nextos on Monday July 01, 2019 @07:34PM
(#20330775)
That sounds bad indeed.
Here it is a bit better. Most positions I know of are de facto permanent. On paper they are not, as most labs go through 5-year funding cycles. So there's a tiny chance of loosing funding. It's quite rare for big labs.
Besides, places like MRC have created permanent research assistant positions. Which are actually permanent and put zero pressure on publications.
As you say, connecting with interested and talented programmers is another problem. I feel that Nature Jobs postings, which were already a big leap forward for rusty uni administrators, are not good enough.
I know sufficiently many good programmers who would love to do scientific programming (because they love science) and would immediately accept less pay.
The problem, in my opinion, rather lies in the non-monetary work conditions. For example, in Germany it is nearly impossible to get permanent employment contract when working at a scientific institute and doing something remotely related to scientific work. Even worse: you are not even allowed to work more than 6+6 years (before and after doctorate) in a fixed-term employment position at a scientific institute If this time is over, you are not even allowed to take any non-permanent contract at a scientific institute (the infamous/insane Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG)).
No programmer (even if (s)he has a great passion for science) will be willing to work under such extraordinarily bad conditions.