Career Pathways for Research Technicians: A Perspective on Recognition and Retention

Authors

  • Hortensia-M Jimenez-Aran Centre for Science Policy, Urgell Laboratory for Ecology and Evolution, Tarrega, Spain Author
  • Irmela Ehrensperger Centre for Research Practice, Schwabische Alb Laboratory for Ecology and Evolution, Munsingen, Germany Author
  • Hanspeter Gschwandtner Department of Laboratory Automation, Ausseerland Institute of Biological Sciences, Bad Aussee, Austria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22672313

Keywords:

Career Pathways for Research Technicians; Biological sciences; Evidence synthesis; Reproducibility; Research methodology

Abstract

There is real interest in career pathways for research technicians right now, and real uncertainty about exactly where it delivers
the most value. We pull together the current evidence for career pathways for research technicians, covering the methodological,
practical, regulatory and cost angles, with an eye on where practice has genuinely settled and where researchers and reviewers
are still largely working it out for themselves. Selective, context-specific adoption looks better supported by the evidence gathered
here than either broad rollout or blanket avoidance

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Published

2026-06-19