The young ones and the old: past & future of science

[摘要] During recent years the scientific landscape has quickly changed due to technological advances and an explosion of ways to communicate. This new scientific landscape requires scientists to change their attitude from a mostly individualistic approach to collaboration within a group. The pace at which scientific research is performed has increased leading to a highly competitive environment characterised by the words innovative and excellence. To survive in this competitive world one needs to be multitalented and willing to invest time and energy, in particular at the start of one’s career. The optimal research career in the Netherlands requires publications in high-ranked journals and international training experience. However, one cannot stay abroad for too long, since the deadlines to apply for excellence grants (Veni innovation grant and Dekker programme of the Netherlands Heart Foundation) are strict and the young ones need to return to the Netherlands within a relatively brief period (2 to 3 years). The rather strict system was highlighted in the article ‘Science on the move’ [1], which illustrates that many Dutch people work abroad and may never come back to the Netherlands, as after several years they no longer fit into the career structure of the Netherlands. We should realise that this rather rigid system may discourage excellent young researchers from pursuing their career in the Netherlands. Cardiovascular training systems in the Netherlands and USA are not complementary as fellowships of the American Heart Association provide funding for a 5-year research project; a person who stays in the USA for this period would not be able to apply for the initial excellence grants in the Netherlands as they could not comply with the deadlines. Surviving in research is even more complex for the young ones in the clinic as they are supposed to keep their scientific output at an excellent level while doing their clinical training.

[学科分类] 心脏病和心血管学