ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a qualitative study of career management among research bioscientists and chemists employed in four research contexts: industrial R&D, government research laboratories, research institutes and academic departments in higher education institutions. It examines the relationship between gender and the career management of scientists. In addition, the question of how personnel initiatives might be used to improve the career management of scientists helped to guide the research. A fundamental conclusion to be drawn is that insufficient investment in, or co-ordination of, career management takes place in science. The chapter explores the position of women in contemporary science careers. In spite of strong articulation of equal opportunities policy in almost all the organisations in the study, there was little evidence of equal distribution of women throughout the grading structures of any of the organisations visited. The qualities and management skills required in career management by both individuals and their line managers could be further explored.
