Part 1: Creativity of Japan's Science and Technology
Chapter 2 Current State and Issue of Japan's Science and Technology
Section 1 Human Recourses for Science and Technology
6. Improving Mobility of Researchers
(Researcher's Awareness of Mobile Environment)
It is important to recruit researchers and in particular young
researchers on the basis of fixed-term appointment and to create mobile research
environment. In the U.S. where such system is generally rooted, it is told that
the system is playing a great role in vitalizing R&D activities.
In our country, the Second-term Science and Technology Basic
Plan is encouraging efforts to establish and disseminate the fixed-term appointment
system to enable researchers to perform their activities in competitive environment.
(The State of Mobility of Researchers)
Looking at the mobile experience of young researchers in the
age bracket of up to 40, we find that the number of institutes they have worked
at (to be referred to as "experienced institute") increases as their
ages advance. That is an indication of the fact that receivers of the young mobile
researchers are being increased along with the development of mobility environment
( Fig. 13 ).
Fig. 13 Number of Experienced Institutes, by age bracket
(Postdoctorals)
To boost the mobility for researchers, the support for young
researchers and in particular, the postdoctorals is important. Based on the "Program
for Supporting 10,000 Postdoctorals and Others" advocated under the First-term
Science and Technology Basic Plan, relevant ministries and agencies have developed
multiple backing systems to support the postdoctorals on the scale of 10,000
individuals.
In our country, along with the growth of the postdoctorals
as well as increasing mobility, the issue of securing multiple career paths and
developing their recipient institutes will become progressively essential in
the future.
(Career Paths)
It is expected that administrative institutes will also expand
recruiting opportunities to enable young researchers to choose from a wide variety
of future possibilities. Private businesses are also expected to be active in
recruiting capable young researchers such as those who have completed doctor
courses, and those of experienced postdoctorals.