Fears are growing in the science community that the lack of a proper career structure for researchers could result in some principal investigators withdrawing from major projects that are currently being assessed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
However, rumours that SFI will baulk at paying high salaries (as much as £150,000) to research high-fliers has been denied by a SFI source. SFI is to fund up to 10 world-class research projects in biotechnology and ICT - five in each area - to the tune of £1 million per annum over five years. In its invitation to researchers to apply for funding, the SFI says that it will fund researchers who have made outstanding contributions to research at an international level. Clearly, people of such calibre will not come cheaply.
Up to 80 proposals have been submitted by researchers from a number of countries, including the US and Britain. In order to obtain the cash, all applications must be supported by a public organisation involved in research in Ireland.
It is understood that up to 14 projects, from TCD (eight), UCC (four), NUI Maynooth (one) and the DIT (one) have been shortlisted by the SFI. The SFI is in the process of making site visits to these institutions. The final decision is expected to be announced later this month or in early April. It is unlikely that all of these projects will be awarded funding in this first round. It has been suggested, however, that the SFI could have a second call for research proposals from less experienced investigators. Some of the current shortlisted projects could be funded in a new round.
"We have received proposals from a number of principal investigators from a range of origins," the SFI source says. "We will be assessing their proposals and looking at the remuneration they require." It is understood that no specific pay levels have been set down and inevitably some researchers will earn more than others.
Salaries in the university sector are tied to public sector pay levels. However, an agreement between the HEA and the universities allows for the recruitment of staff on short-term contracts at higher salaries. Principal investigators already employed in the third-level sector here will remain on their present salaries. If they wish to avail of higher pay rates they will have to resign their jobs and be re-employed on contract. The SFI projects are being funded up to 2006. The question some researchers coming from abroad to take up jobs are asking is: What happens after five years, will there be any more funding available? Unlike the US, say, Ireland has no track record in providing rolling research funding.
On the other hand, if these researchers wish to opt for permanent jobs in the university system, they would have to be prepared to take salary cuts. Sought-after high-flyers, who could get jobs anywhere, may be less interested in joining the system. "Continuity, rather than permanence, may be the issue for these researchers," says an academic source.
"We are," says this source, "in a completely different ball game. Ireland is now competing internationally for talent. The SFI has put Ireland on the world stage and we are competing with universities like Stanford and Oxford which have huge endowments. The worry is that places like these could counter-offer." Although the universities say they are satisfied with the SFI programme, scientists remain concerned about the level of science funding available.
"The SFI is like trying to bring Roy Keane into the League of Ireland," says one source. "We are bringing in superstars, but we are not able to do anything to help people on the ground who have been starved of resources and cash yet expected to play in the premier league."
Scientists also foresee difficulties in recruiting staff at postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. Already, such people are in high demand. SFI's proposed 10 projects could suck up to 100 post-grads out of the system, they fear.
Although TCD appears to be doing well in the SFI competition, it's worth remembering that it fielded some 30 proposals. Instead of using a selection process, TCD allowed any interested researcher to go ahead with an application, arguing that the invitation to apply for funding was made to individual researchers. Other institutions used selection panels to determine which proposals to submit. UCD sent in six proposals, DCU eight, UCC five, NUI Galway nine and UL seven.
