Science jobs go as cash disappears

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Scientists are in despair over uncertain Government funding as the Crown research institute HortResearch lays off nearly 40 staff in Auckland, Hamilton and Palmerston North.

The organisation initially faced 60 job cuts in anticipation of eventually losing $5.5 million in annual grants from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, but has softened the blow by negotiating with funding winners to form biotechnology joint ventures.

HortResearch chief executive Dr Ian Warrington said his board had just approved three such ventures, which he would not identify for commercial reasons.

Despite that, he confirmed 13 job losses among scientists, 14 among technicians and 12 among support staff, and said more joint venture projects were needed in coming years to avoid further cuts into his staff of 500.

HortResearch has been given two years in which funding will be reduced by just under half the ultimate amount, or $2.7 million, to give it time to phase out projects or develop more partnerships.

But the Mt Albert research centre in Auckland is losing nine jobs for now, with the Ruakura centre in Hamilton facing 12 cuts and the rest coming from institute's main base in Palmerston North.

Dr Warrington said most of the jobs would go through attrition and voluntary redundancy, leaving a need for just two or three layoffs.

Even so, Association of Crown Research Institutes president Dr John Hay decried what he called the largest shake-up of the science community in one hit since contestable research funding was introduced in the early 1990s.

Science Minister Pete Hodgson has defended Labour's record, saying it has financed strong growth in basic science and encouraged innovation.