The prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is funding a groundbreaking research programme in which Eyo Herstad, Assistant Professor at the Econometric Institute of Erasmus School of Economics, is closely involved.
The study that Eyo Herstad conducts together with Prof. Donna K. Ginther (University of Kansas) and Prof. Bruce A. Weinberg (Ohio State University), sheds light on the factors that influence how knowledge is produced by different researchers. The findings offer valuable insights that can help universities facilitate the transition of postdoctoral scholars into their next career stage, including roles beyond academic faculty such as industry positions.
Opening the black box
The research identifies financial considerations, career prospects, and perceived academic value as major determinants in researchers’ decisions. The study also highlights the role of institutional support, including mentorship, funding opportunities, and professional networking, in shaping students’ willingness to pursue different research positions.
‘Our research opens up the black box of how biomedical researchers, whether they are postdoctoral researchers, PhD students or staff scientists, produce innovation and knowledge,’ says Eyo. ‘This knowledge can help universities support an ecosystem where all of these positions exist together, and let researchers stay innovative without sacrificing their skill acquisition or future career prospects.
The study recommends practical measures such as expanding scholarship programmes, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving student outreach initiatives. As PhD’s become increasingly valuable in the job market, these strategies could help bridge the gap between academics and private enterprise. Herstad’s research draws from multiple data sources, including text from academic papers, grant information, surveys , and industry labour market reports.
About Eyo Herstad
Eyo Herstad is an assistant professor at the Econometrics Institute of Erasmus School of Economics and a candidate fellow at the Tinbergen Institute. He earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of Oslo and completed his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to his current role, Herstad was a postdoctoral researcher at The Ohio State University.
His research focuses on applied econometrics, labour economics, and the economics of education, with a particular emphasis on network effects. One notable publication is "Residential Investment and Recession Predictability," (co-authored with Knut Are Aastveit and André K. Anundsen), published in the International Journal of Forecasting.
About the Alfred Sloan Foundation
The Afred Sloan Foundation is a non-profit institution, dedicated to improving the welfare of all through the advancement of scientific knowledge. The foundation disburses approximately $80 million in grants each year in four broad research areas: technology, engineering, mathematics, and economics.
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For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, mobile +31 6 53 641 846.
