ABSTRACT
The research institutes all came under the umbrella of the Research Councils. The Research Councils were set up as non-departmental public bodies to promote and support high quality research and post-graduate research training. Approaches to organisation and management differ between Research Councils and so the career context for scientists employed in research institutes displays some variability. There are also wide variations in size of institutes which in turn affect their internal organisation and management. Responsibility for the Research Councils lies within the Government Office for Science and Technology. Within this department the activities of the Research Councils are co-ordinated by the Director-General of Research Councils. The research institutes visited demonstrated a variety of approaches to staff appraisal. The issue of training and development for scientists was gaining attention in all the Research Councils. The highest priority was given to the maintenance of high quality output of science through technical training both on the job and by attending conferences.
