Scientific knowledge and expertise have a critical contribution to make in supporting societies to make the necessary transformations to mitigate and adapt to environmental change. Technologies can play a role, but behavioural changes will also be necessary and both natural and social sciences are required across multiple sectors of society. The ongoing digital transformation has also increased the onus on digital skills and expertise.

Scientific expertise and training, including PhD training, needs to be more broadly recognized and valued outside of academia.  At the same time, academic institutions need to embrace alternative, non-academic, career options for their young researchers and provide them with necessary training and skills to easily transition into these careers. 

Early-stage researchers - PhDs and postdocs - are often internationally mobile and it can be difficult to track their career paths, particularly if they stop publishing. The absence of comprehensive data on career paths is not only a challenge for policymakers but also a problem for young scientists who want to make informed career choices.

The Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (ReICO) is a new initiative by the OECD, partly funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme. It aims to be the premier source for reliable data and information on careers in research and innovation (R&I). The project's goal is to create a dynamic information hub that tracks and analyses trends in R&I talent, career paths, and mobility in OECD and EU countries, as well as other economies.

The responsibilities for training, supporting and employing scientists and research support personnel are divided among a variety of actors. This includes governments, universities - both as educators and employers, research funders and public research institutions, and a variety of other public and private sector employers. Each of these actors can contribute to strengthening the research workforce and providing satisfying and productive career options for scientists. However, they need to work together, and different policies and actions need to be deployed synergistically.

The majority of those who earn a PhD in science and embark on an academic research career will eventually pursue alternative career paths.  Science is hyper-competitive and post-doctoral positions are precarious and poorly rewarded relative to other professions. The conditions for early career researchers are particularly challenging for women and are an obstacle to attracting under-represented groups into research. 

Policy action is required to improve the conditions for young scientists and diversify their careers within academia. Evaluation and assessment criteria need to recognize and value multiple scientific outputs and proactive measures are required to promote equity, diversity and inclusion.