Factors Determining Scientists' Job Choice

Talented, young scientists are often internationally mobile. There is however an asymmetric mobility towards prestigious US universities. This brain drain limits Europe's research performance. To shed more light on the determinants of job choice of scientists and on asymmetric mobility flows, an international survey of more than 10,000 scientists was conducted, enabling estimation of the impact of varying job characteristics on the probability of job choice. Young scientists are particularly attracted by a tenure track model, high research autonomy and collaboration with prestigious peers, but also by appropriate salaries.