Training Leaders for Canada’s Success in the 21st Century

Conducting materials research at major neutron facilities has also been shown to profoundly impact students’ educational achievement and pursuit of careers in sectors that need their skills for innovation.

Over 1,000 visiting students and postdocs received hands-on training in neutron beam techniques at the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre from 1984 to 2018.

A ground-breaking study using LinkedIn data on the careers of 300 of these alumni ^[1] found that they have gravitated to the economic sectors where Canada needs their skills most. Almost 80% now work in the top R&D-intensive sectors that contribute most to Canadian innovation: (1) Manufacturing, (2) Higher Education, and (3) Science and Engineering Services. About 13% work in Public Administration or Financial and Business Services.

The ground-breaking study that used LinkedIn data to track CNBC alumni’s education and career trajectories has been replicated for other Major Research Facilities (MRFs) in Canada—further indicating that national facilities are highly effective at training the innovative workforce of tomorrow when used as part of students’ university education in research.

The study also found that these students were more than three times as likely to upgrade their skills and leadership potential in these R&D intensive sectors. Of the undergraduates, 60% went on to earn a graduate degree, of which two-thirds earned a PhD. Of the Master’s students, over half went on to earn a PhD—rates that are far above Canadian norms. By comparison, the percentage of Canadian university graduates who earn graduate degrees (i.e., Master’s or PhD) is approximately 16%.

In interviews, alumni credited their neutron beam experience as contributing to their later academic achievement and career success, citing skills such as working safely and effectively under time pressure in highly regulated, complex industrial research environments. Their experience also gave them an appreciation for industrial or large-scale research facilities, thus motivating them to pursue careers in industry or large government laboratories.

Similar studies using LinkedIn data to track former student users’ education and career trajectories have been replicated and enhanced for other MRFs in Canada, including the Canadian Light Source, SNOLAB, and CMC Microsystems (also formerly known as Canada’s National Design Network). Each of these studies ^[2] found that these MRFs had large and positive impacts on the training of Highly Qualified People—an indication that national facilities are indeed highly effective at training the innovative workforce of tomorrow when used as part of students’ university educations in science and research.

Canadian students have also greatly benefited from their time at foreign neutron beam facilities when they have access to them. Students are often inspired by such large-scale facilities to pursue scientific careers, and Canadian university faculty can effectively leverage them as part of training highly qualified people. For instance, by conducting research at the Spallation Neutron Source—much of this research was through Canada’s former partnership with this facility—Canadian PhD students Kate Ross, Alannah Hallas, and Evan Smith have won 3 of the only 7 “Outstanding Student Research Prizes” awarded by the Neutron Scattering Society of America. Each is now research faculty leading discoveries toward quantum innovation.

The contributions of neutron beam facilities to the development of highly qualified individuals in Canada are undeniable. These facilities provide essential training and hands-on experiences that play a critical role in shaping the future leaders of R&D-intensive sectors. This impact on the workforce is in addition to the large economic impacts from the knowledge that is generated using these facilities. As we move further into the 21st century, continued support and investment in such national research facilities will be pivotal in driving Canada’s success in addressing global challenges and sustaining its competitive edge in high-tech industries.

[1] Strategic Policy Economics. “Study of the CNBC performance and impacts.” February 2019. https://neutrons.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Strapolec_2019.pdf

[2] Alumni Analyzer. Case Studies. https://alumnianalyzer.com/#case-studies