tokyo

Japan's Science and Technology Agency (STA) has asked the government to reduce restrictions on scientists who work at national research institutes as part of its efforts to create a more flexible, open and competitive research environment.

The request, submitted last week to the government's personnel office, asks for ‘research bureaucrats’ — as researchers at national institutes are called — to be given more freedom to work in different sectors, such as industry and the academic community. At present, such external activities are strictly regulated by civil service law.

The move is in line with the 1996 Basic Law for Science and Technology, which calls for the promotion of collaborative research between industry, government and universities. It also reflects the thrust of last year's administrative reform drive, which called for a substantial shake-up of management styles within nationally run research centres.

The STA also intends to explore the possibility of turning national research institutes into ‘independent administrative agencies’.

One of the main reforms being requested by the agency is that researchers be allowed to take lengthy sabbaticals, during which they could take up research different from their normal work, such as projects at profit-making organisations.

The STA hopes that, by reducing bureaucratic obstacles, researchers at national institutes will be able to experience different research environments and improve their standards by carrying out independent research activities.

At the same time, the agency wants the introduction of a system to assess laboratory technicians to allow them to respond to the rapid diversification of scientific fields. The aim is for technicians to be assessed and classified according to their experience and scientific knowledge. The current system merely distinguishes between ‘administrative staff’ and ‘research staff’, placing both in one of the lowest salary categories.

The goal is to increase the number of skilled technicians by making it more attractive for them to work in national research institutes. Such a move would be welcomed by scientists, who have long complained about the shortage of skilled technicians.

The STA is also seeking a revision of researchers' salaries to balance them with those of companies and universities, as part of an effort to attract talented researchers.

Scientists welcome the STA's requests. A survey by the agency last year showed that 67 per cent of researchers at national laboratories wanted more freedom.