New list of political jobs at science agencies called ‘weird and capricious’

Key Points

• The aim is to examine the impact of newly identified political jobs on science agencies, particularly NIH.
• Review of current political job listings at various science agencies
• Comparison of impacts on NIH versus other agencies
• Analysis of public responses to the new job list
• NIH programs and leadership experience substantial criticism and disruption
• Most other science agencies are minimally impacted by these changes
• Public opinion reflects concern over the political influences in scientific leadership