In January, Science Magazine asked young scientists this question: “Do publications (number and impact) convey the true value of an early-career scientist?”

Here is my answer in full length (they published a shorter version)

Quantification of work published during the PhD candidacy does not convey the true value due to the large impact of the guidance of the advisor. Therefore, in the years after the PhD, many more postdoctoral and early career researchers should be funded directly from the national agencies. This would allow them to be more independent and able to prove their ability to set own research goals, manage their work and lead others in pursuit of new scientific discoveries. Only after this period, their independently achieved results can be quantified the same way as that of their more established peers.

Jernej Zupanc
Seyens Ltd., Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia.

All published comments: Science NextGen Voices: Measures of success