Research for the Department of Health and Aged Care reports everything you suspected is true.
How many: there are 39,000 health and medical researchers. 65% work in universities and research institutes, 33% in “non-traditional” roles (private sector, clinical space) and the rest are in both.
Plus the departed: There are 20,000 or so ex-HMRs, 30% are in the public sector, 20% in universities “possibly in non-research capacities.” Most inactive researchers are in healthcare and social assistance (31%) or PST services (27%). Over five years 47% of post doc fellows who change jobs leave research.
Where they are: 50% in Victoria
Where they come from: 35% of traditional researchers moved to Australia for a job.
Here’s hoping it was worth the trip: 55% of researchers in the traditional health and medical research areas, which are mainly university sector, are on fixed-term or casual contracts.
Gender: 52% are women but they make up 25% of senior positions. 56% of women have career interruptions, mainly for parenting.
Love of the work cuts both ways: “Passion for research and impact on society attract and retain researchers but funding and job security are key challenges and reasons for leaving.”
Where the cash comes from: The three big grant sources for traditional researchers are National Health and Medical Research Council (68%), Medical Research Future Fund (42%) and Australian Research Council (12%).
And (who would have thought!): The lack of funding is the most challenging part of research, followed by job security.
