Demand for researchers in Australia will be greater than the supply during the next decade, since China and India are attracting greater numbers of the world’s top researchers, making it increasingly difficult for Australia to counter a looming researcher shortfall, says Allen Consulting in a report to the government.
After interviewing 72 companies and universities the report is upbeat about future demand for researchers by business, industry and research institutions during the next decade.
It highlights an Australian Council for Educational Research finding that demand for employees with higher degree by research qualifications will expand by 50 per cent to 2020. Seventy per cent of respondents - including Woodside, Cochlear, Dupont Australia, Baker IDI and Geodynamics - anticipate growth in their annual demand for researchers during the next five years.
Source: The Australian