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posted by martyb on Thursday August 04 2016, @03:22PM   Printer-friendly
from the taking-a-'shot'-at-ageism dept.

Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center?

[...] Bréchot, who previously led INSERM, the French biomedical research agency, aspires to a second term, but he will turn 65 in July 2017. Under the governing statutes of the foundation that runs the Paris center, that disqualifies him for the renewal, Pasteur's 21-strong board of directors has concluded. Angered by the board's refusal to change the rules, Pasteur's General Meeting, a parliament-style governing body, dissolved the board in June. Now, Bréchot's future is in limbo.

[...] The board, which includes six Pasteur scientists, would not budge. Changing Article 12 would be a lengthy affair that requires government involvement and could lead to a complete review of the foundation's statutes to align them with those of other French foundations, says board chair Rose-Marie Van Lerberghe. That could damage Pasteur, she adds: For example, Bréchot earns a sizable salary but typical foundation statutes require an unpaid president, which would make it difficult to recruit a top candidate.

How old is too old for this job and others?

Would making the position unpaid like other foundation actually make it "difficult to recruit a top candidate"?

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/dispute-over-presidents-age-tears-pasteur-institute-apart


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  • (Score: 2) by Zinho on Thursday August 04 2016, @05:35PM

    by Zinho (759) on Thursday August 04 2016, @05:35PM (#384131)

    If this is a full time job, leaving no time for outside earnings, I could see that an age limit would make the job less desirable for those still active in any field of research, and being forced to surrender any income for the 4 year term would make it less attractive.

    On the other hand if all it is a monthly/quarterly board meetings with travel perks and an expense account you could still head your own laboratory, or teaching position, and it would be a nice post-retirement honorary position. Except for that 65 yearn limit.

    Thanks for pointing out some of the options; I was wondering how a position like that would fund itself. Sounded to me like they were setting themselves up perfectly for corruption - no salary paid to someone in a position to effect policy almost sounds like they're encouraged to take bribes to support themselves.

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