Bright future in UK science

In March at a forum organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), Lord Paul Drayson, minister of state for science and innovation, told 200 young scientists and engineers, including some 80 school students, that despite the economic downturn the Government remains committed to maintaining investment in the UK's science and engineering base. 

Speaking at the Voice of the future meeting held in Westminster's Portcullis House, Drayson emphasised that there has never been a better time to be a scientist or engineer with 2.9 million jobs to be created in science, engineering and technology in the UK by 2017. In response to concerns over job security and career development for young researchers, Drayson said that the Government was looking at the issue of the short-term nature of contracts for postdocs.