The Financial Impact on Staffing in the Academy Sector of the Ukrainian R&D

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of preserving human resources the national research and development (R&D) sector, in particular its Academy component, which had long been vital for Ukraine, but it came to the spotlight after the break out of the war, thus making this theme even more topical. The essence of transformations in R&D staffing and financing in independent Ukraine is revealed, with underlining the mismatch between the current financial status of R&D and the legally fixed obligations of the government on R&D financing. Estimates of the losses in research personnel of the national R&D, resulting from researchers’ retraining and moving to jobs in other economic sectors or emigration, are given. The forms of emigration processes are shown, with estimating the impact of the large-scale Russian invasion on their pace. It is argued that the only efficient way for staff replenishment in the national R&D sector has to be the policy for support of young talents, encompassing all the levels of education and research process: from early finding of able students to setting up the required conditions for realization of creative capacities of researchers. It is substantiated that the system for support of talents has to build on three integrated principles: identification, development, retention. It is emphasized that in time of war, the government’s role as sponsor should be added by the role of coordinator when it comes to support of talents and professional training for the national R&D sector. Results of the author’s analysis of the salary rate in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Ukraine are given; the schemes for professional training within the NAS of Ukraine through implementing budget programs “Scientific and Science & Technology Activities of Research Institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”, “Training of Staff on Priority Areas of Research and Promoting Innovation Activities of Research Institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”, and “The Arrangements for Official Appraisal of Research Staff in the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” are outlined. Quantitative indicators of these programs’ efficiency are given. Financial and social measures aimed at preservation, increase and development of research personnel in the national R&D sector are provided.