The article, Recognising the importance and impact of Imaging Scientists: Global guidelines for establishing career paths within core facilities, was published in the Journal of Microscopy in a special open access edition on core facility management.
Despite the crucial role imaging scientists play in core facilities, the article highlights challenges such as acknowledging their contribution, aligning performance metrics, and ensuring career progression and job security. These stem from a disconnect between traditional academic career paths within Universities and the service-oriented roles that imaging scientists often undertake.
It also addresses issues related to sustainability, dedicated training opportunities, and the recruitment and retention of talent. The paper presents a set of recommendations that aim to provide solutions benefiting not only imaging scientists, but other professionals working in core facilities.
The article is a collaborative effort led by the Global BioImaging Career Path for Imaging Scientists Working Group following the release of their whitepaper International Recommendations for Imaging Scientist Careers in Core Facilities. To continue the conversations sparked by the publications, and to highlight success stories and initiatives towards building sustainable career paths for imaging scientists in core facilities, the Working Group is now launching the Global BioImaging Spotlight Series. Lisa will host the first of these along with A/Prof. Jamie Riches from QUT and Sach Jayasinghe from QCIF in a talk entitled Mapping and influencing career pathways for core facility staff in Australia.
May 28, 2024
