reasons to hire Computer Modellers

I noticed a curious thing: almost all of the scientists employed at a
"Senior Research Scientist" level in our lab are computer modellers. I
have two explanations for this. First, at a recent interview for a
"Research Scientist" position at another dept, the departmental head
remarked off-handedly to me that the lab administration respected
computer modeller skills and nurture those employees, all the while
they officially moan that they need more people with diverse work
experiences and that's the skills they look for in new employees. (Our
lab changes the research projects every couple of years, all the while
staffing them with the same employees the majority of whom are on
permanent positions.)

>From the other side, an experimental scientist requires three times as
much for equipment as is his salary, if not more. Thus, the management
can employ a computer modeller, give him a computer and pay a high
salary of "Senior Research Scientist", and still be ahead by money.

The management wanted me to become a computer modeller. They probably
indeed wanted to hire me at a higher level. But perhaps they saw that I
resisted becoming a cumputer modeller too much. So that they decided to
hire me at a "Junior Research Scientist" level. Well, to tell the
truth, I am now doing a mixture of experimental work and computer
modelling. Oh boy, does that feel good ! It is good to come back to
your office after handling heavy irons and mounting bulky measurement
equipment, and sit in front of your computer checking email and your
favorite website with the s.r.c. forum. I feel the stimulation to my
mind from changing the activity.

Our management is currently introducing the matrix management system.
This means the person from one department can be assigned for two or
five projects together with people from other departments. I see that
the staff members from the departments headed by the competing bosses
are appointed into the projects within the area of responsibility of
one of the bosses. Oh boy, that must not be easy for a manager to give
up the control over his people and give a portion of their working time
to another (competing) manager. I think this change is brought up by
the dearth of skilled employees. The managers have too many projects on
their hands and not enough of employees to do them. So that they
decided to tap the hidden resources, and on the way to give up part of
their power over staff. Though, I spoke to my colleague, and they
thought that the matrix system is doomed for failure because the
people's time is spread too thinly over too many projects. Thus, people
will not be effectively managed.

Anyway, my plan is to get the "Junior Research Scientist" positon now,
and apply for the "Research Scientist" position within the next several
months which will be coming up as was mentioned by my alternative top
manager. When he heard that the competing manager came up with a
lower-level position for me, my top manager encouraged me to apply for
that position. But later I realised that in fact he would be happy to
snatch me from the staff ranks of another top manager... as was planned
since beginning. I am realising that I was probably wrong in my
assumption that there was an unanimity as to which top manager gets me
into his employ. The administrators have no consensus in their ranks.
Everyone wants to get the top employee for _himself_. This is actually
my theory, and I will see how things turn out in reality.

Anybody to interject with their own opinion ?

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