Marie Curie Actions: Inspiring Researchers - Imdea

more likely to leave once they are in. The research sectorsuffers from abnormally high attrition rates – the so-calledleaking pipeline effect.In order to stem this exodus, action must be taken to makescientifi c research a less biased profession. The MarieCurie Actions work to encourage Europe to professionalisethe fi eld and thus make it more appealing to promisingapplicants. Efforts to tackle the instability of researchcareers, which is linked to the fact that researchers oftensubsist on grants rather than benefi ting from salaries withperks comparable to those offered by other sectors, areexpected to go a long way in this respect. Increasedfi nancial stability, relevant social security provision andgreater fl exibility, for example on parental leave andworking time arrangements, will help to make researchcareers more attractive to men and women alike.Still a way to goThere is still a lot of work to be done to make scientifi cresearch a gender-balanced sector. However, this isvitally important if women are to participate fully in helpingEurope to become the world’s leading knowledge-basedeconomy. Research needs more women like thosefeatured in this chapter.© CNRS Photothèque - Emmanuel Perrin146