This email serves to introduce to the ECOLOG community a unique new organization, The Scientific Investigator's Alliance, Inc., whose sole purpose is to provide opportunities for independent, under-, and unemployed scientists to develop their research programs and support themselves as independent investigators. The organization's articles of incorporation became official May 19, 2014. It expects to have 501(c)(3) status by the end of the summer 2014.
Do not mistake this for a marketing campaign or scam. The founders are scientists who are concerned with the system that currently exists in which PHDs graduate and find the job market abusive, trapped in never-ending postdocs or other temporary positions. Rather than write editorials or broadcast complaints to politicians, news outlets, on this listserv or via other venues, we decided to take real action to assist these people. That action was to establish this organization whose entire focus is to re-invent how the system works. If you are someone who is waiting for an opportunity, this is your opportunity to make your own. That was the sales pitch, but SIA is not selling anything. If you are interested in funding your research and even becoming a self sufficient scientist then you will be interested in what is being offered. The early focus of SIA will be U.S. citizens who have advanced training in education, ecology, environmental science, and organismic biology including field biology, wildife, &c. The reason for this focus is entirely due to the expertise of its members. SIA does not provide funding or employment, but provides an avenue for the above described scientists to provide a living for themselves and their family by furthering their already existing research and educational interests, thus becoming more competitive on the job market. Some may find this opportunity sufficiently rewarding to remain independent. This is realistic. If you desire further information, or even if you are simply curious, you may contact the organization through this email. This is very early in the process and the website is not even up yet. SIA will continue to send updates on progress during the next year. A lot of details are being left out of this announcement because much of the process is still being developed. In fact, the bylaws are not completed yet. So, this is only the beginning. The Scientific Investigator's Alliance, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. It is currently registered with the State of Missouri, and is in the process of filing for 501(c)(3) exempt status.
