Special Report

With traditional taboos receding, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors in flux, some researchers are moving from industry back to academia. Quirin Schiermeier looks at the trade-offs.

The self-reported contentment of researchers with their chosen profession depends on more than just salaries, according to the results of our international career survey. Gene Russo parses the data.

In Britain, organizations award 'chartered status', which claims to validate a scientist's professional credentials. But what are such designations really worth? Nadya Anscombe reports.

Women are still underrepresented in academic science, and universities are struggling to do something about it. But there are efforts afoot, reports Robin Mejia.

Feelings of inadequacy in one's field sometimes plague even the most accomplished scientists, especially women. Karen Kaplan analyses this apparent phenomenon and its impact.

Getting results from experiments can be difficult, especially if the materials you work with decide to fight back. Amber Dance investigates some of the unappreciated risks of being at the bench.

The hiring of US science faculty members has slowed considerably. Karen Kaplan tracks the administrators who are trying to keep programmes intact.

Ricki Lewis reports on biological anthropologists' branching out into crime forensics and science policy.

The government's assessment of UK colleges and universities sets up a waiting game for new funds and recruitment. Karen Kaplan reports.

They may have first been lured by the romance of underwater discovery, but oceanographers are now riding a wave of career growth and recognition, says Quirin Schiermeier.

The demand for science skills in non-governmental organizations is rising. Paroma Basu, Jane Qiu and Kendall Powell report.

This month, all eyes in the high-energy-physics community will be on the long-awaited launch of CERN's new particle collider. But US budget cuts and an uncertain job market mean the field has little else to celebrate. Eric Hand reports.

Graduate programmes are rated by various organizations using different criteria. How much use are these rankings? Genevive Bjorn surveys the options.

As much of the developed world moves to recognize same-sex relationships, gay scientists in some places are swimming against a conservative tide that limits partners' rights. Bryn Nelson reports

Robin Mejia reports on the perils and opportunities of doing scientific work that is funded by private companies.

Young researchers in China face stiff competition as they strive to establish labs or find other scientific careers. Wei Zeng explores what it takes to succeed as a Chinese scientist.

Vaccines are no longer 'worthy but dull'. A heady mix of funding and breakthroughs is bringing this once-quiet area to life, says Virginia Gewin.

US researchers are keen to find ways to address health disparities among minorities. Paul Smaglik reports.

A crop of websites is making networking among scientists easier than ever. Virginia Gewin logs in.

For scientists who want to combine public outreach with research, a museum may be the perfect place to work, says Ricki Lewis.