The following survey by ERA-Instruments aims at investigating the difficulties that post-doctoral researchers running mid-size instruments face during their career development in Europe.

Mid-size instruments (here defined as instruments in the range of 0.5-20 M Euro) play a major role in bio-analytical research. Often highly skilled post-docs are responsible for running these instruments. It can be difficult to get publications and build up a track record when your main role is running equipment and assisting others to use it. In order to learn about these problems and possible solutions, ERA-Instruments is asking for your input.

ERA-Instruments aims to analyse the current funding procedures and access regulations to instrumentation in relation young scientists’ careers: Does the use of expensive equipment induce dependence on senior scientists? What changes in funding policies could promote young careers? What improvements are possible on the national and the European level?

The outcomes of this survey may help to improve national and European funding schemes and the career prospects of young researches.
Please take some time (no more than 15 min) to fill in the questionnaire. Your contribution to this effort will be very much appreciated.

The survey is conducted by the National Hellenic Research Foundation in the framework of the ERA-Net project “ERA-Instruments, Infrastructure Funding in Life Sciences”, funded by the European Commission contract no 211928.