MCFA survey on training of complementary skills

It is becoming increasingly clear for the growth and expansion of science in Europe that in addition to the excellent training already received during their PhD studies, further pertinent skills need to be acquired by the scientists. Historically, this has occurred slowly throughout the career of the scientist to the extent that many important skills are only learnt in the later half of the scientists career. In other professional circles, this multi-disciplinary perspective requirement is recognised significantly earlier in the career of the individual, who is then exposed to and encouraged to participate in further training. The complexity of science and its requirements, further clouded by the limited career prospects facing the great majority of highly skilled scientists earlier in their career warrants that the extra skills needed to be successful, particularly in a continent as diverse as Europe need to be installed as soon as possible.

A recent survey by the MCFA, in collaboration with PI-net and Eurodoc, illustrated that the majority of scientists did not receive further career development, but would have liked to. This survey represents a natural continuation of the previous survey in which we ask you what you consider important to learn, and how you think best to learn it. The survey results will be communicated to the European commission and EARMA, both of whom have already expressed an interest in the outcome. This will therefore serve the potential creation of further training either by the European commission, and give the MCFA and EARMA food for thought on how best to help develop scientists in Europe. Your participation is very important as it will directly affect you, and your involvement is highly appreciated.

Only members and affiliates of the MCFA took part in the survey.

The results of the survey are available here. An analysis of the results has been carried out by Magda Lola, Jonathan Dando and Winfried Meining. The corresponding article can be downloaded here.

If you would like to make further comments on the survey or the topics treated in the survey, please post these in the MCFA discussion forum at http://www.mariecurie.org/discus.