Making the invisible visible: A global examination of careers and recognition for Imaging Scientists in core facilities. Thompson, K., Bischof, J., Reis, Y., Arvanitis, C., Balogun, O. A., Brown, C. M., De Niz, M., Díaz, M., Engelbrecht, L., Fabian‐Morales, E., Fazeli, E., Fletcher, G., Guerrero, A., Itano, M. S., Kable, E., Kitten, G. T., Komoto, S., Ma, X., O'Toole, P. J., Pinto, A., Pollak, C. N., Prats, C., Pylvänäinen, J. W., Riches, J. D., Salamero, J., Silio, V., Terjung, S., Winter, S., Wright, G. D., Yen, L., & Keppler, A. Journal of Microscopy, April, 2026.
Making the invisible visible: A global examination of careers and recognition for Imaging Scientists in core facilities [link]Paper  doi  abstract   bibtex   
Abstract Imaging facilities underpin a growing share of modern life‐science research, yet the career conditions and scholarly recognition of the Imaging Scientists in core facilities who design, deliver, and interpret imaging research remain uneven. This mismatch has previously been shown to risk loss of expertise, reduced service quality, and weaken long‐term sustainability of shared research capabilities. To provide an evidence base for practical change, we synthesise findings from two complementary international community surveys run by Global BioImaging: a ‘Top 5’ survey on career development and job conditions (\textgreater290 responses spanning 43 countries) and an authorship&acknowledgement survey examining how publication credit is assigned for imaging‐related contributions of core facility staff (\textgreater330 responses spanning 43 countries). Across both surveys, respondents consistently link limited recognition to constrained career prospects. The career survey highlights recurring bottlenecks around progression routes, job stability and attractiveness, access to professional development, and the day‐to‐day consequences of being perceived primarily as service providers rather than scientific partners. The authorship&acknowledgement survey documents substantial variability in credit practices across facilities, disciplines, and regions, with many respondents reporting uncertainty about expectations, difficulty initiating credit discussions, and concerns about bias and power dynamics. Taken together, the results suggest a reinforcing cycle: inconsistent credit reduces visibility and leverage for Imaging Scientists in core facilities, which in turn entrenches fragile career pathways and inhibits retention. We translate these findings into targeted, stakeholder‐specific actions. Recommendations focus on defining career paths that match facility roles, aligning evaluation with the full range of facility outputs (including methods, data, software, and training), and ensuring that institutions, funders, publishers, and research teams share responsibility for fair and consistent credit. , LAY DESCRIPTION Modern life‐science research relies heavily on advanced imaging technologies, from microscopes that reveal the structure of cells to imaging systems used in biomedical research. These instruments are usually housed in shared imaging core facilities within universities or research centres and are operated by highly skilled professionals often referred to as Imaging Scientists . These specialists do far more than ‘take pictures’: they help design experiments, prepare samples, operate and maintain complex instruments, analyse data, train researchers, and ensure that imaging data are reliable and reusable. Despite their central role, Imaging Scientists often face unclear career paths and inconsistent professional recognition. Many report limited opportunities for progression, unstable contracts, and uncertainty about how their contributions should be acknowledged in scientific publications. These issues are rarely discussed openly in research papers, yet they have serious consequences for staff retention, research quality, and the long‐term sustainability of imaging facilities. This study brings together evidence from two large international surveys conducted by the Global BioImaging community. More than 620 Imaging Scientists and core facility staff from 43 countries shared their experiences. One survey explored the main challenges affecting careers in imaging facilities, while the second focused on how contributions by Imaging Scientists are recognised in scientific publications through authorship or acknowledgements. The results reveal a consistent global picture. Respondents identified lack of recognition as a key factor limiting career development and job stability. Practices for giving credit in publications vary widely between institutions, disciplines, and regions, and many Imaging Scientists feel uncomfortable or unsupported when discussing authorship. These issues are closely linked: when contributions are not properly recognised, it becomes harder for Imaging Scientists to demonstrate their value, secure funding, progress professionally, and remain in the field. Importantly, this study does not only describe problems. Based on community input and existing best practices, it offers practical recommendations for different stakeholders, including research institutions, funders, publishers, facility leaders, and research teams. These recommendations aim to improve transparency, align evaluation systems with real contributions, and support fair and consistent recognition. By making the experiences of Imaging Scientists visible at a global scale, this publication highlights the people behind imaging technologies and provides an evidence base for strengthening careers, research quality, and the sustainability of shared scientific infrastructures.
@article{thompson_making_2026,
	title = {Making the invisible visible: {A} global examination of careers and recognition for {Imaging} {Scientists} in core facilities},
	issn = {0022-2720, 1365-2818},
	shorttitle = {Making the invisible visible},
	url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmi.70089},
	doi = {10.1111/jmi.70089},
	abstract = {Abstract
            Imaging facilities underpin a growing share of modern life‐science research, yet the career conditions and scholarly recognition of the Imaging Scientists in core facilities who design, deliver, and interpret imaging research remain uneven. This mismatch has previously been shown to risk loss of expertise, reduced service quality, and weaken long‐term sustainability of shared research capabilities. To provide an evidence base for practical change, we synthesise findings from two complementary international community surveys run by Global BioImaging: a ‘Top 5’ survey on career development and job conditions ({\textgreater}290 responses spanning 43 countries) and an authorship\&acknowledgement survey examining how publication credit is assigned for imaging‐related contributions of core facility staff ({\textgreater}330 responses spanning 43 countries).
            Across both surveys, respondents consistently link limited recognition to constrained career prospects. The career survey highlights recurring bottlenecks around progression routes, job stability and attractiveness, access to professional development, and the day‐to‐day consequences of being perceived primarily as service providers rather than scientific partners. The authorship\&acknowledgement survey documents substantial variability in credit practices across facilities, disciplines, and regions, with many respondents reporting uncertainty about expectations, difficulty initiating credit discussions, and concerns about bias and power dynamics. Taken together, the results suggest a reinforcing cycle: inconsistent credit reduces visibility and leverage for Imaging Scientists in core facilities, which in turn entrenches fragile career pathways and inhibits retention.
            We translate these findings into targeted, stakeholder‐specific actions. Recommendations focus on defining career paths that match facility roles, aligning evaluation with the full range of facility outputs (including methods, data, software, and training), and ensuring that institutions, funders, publishers, and research teams share responsibility for fair and consistent credit.
          , 
            LAY DESCRIPTION
            
              Modern life‐science research relies heavily on advanced imaging technologies, from microscopes that reveal the structure of cells to imaging systems used in biomedical research. These instruments are usually housed in shared imaging core facilities within universities or research centres and are operated by highly skilled professionals often referred to as
              Imaging Scientists
              . These specialists do far more than ‘take pictures’: they help design experiments, prepare samples, operate and maintain complex instruments, analyse data, train researchers, and ensure that imaging data are reliable and reusable.
            
            Despite their central role, Imaging Scientists often face unclear career paths and inconsistent professional recognition. Many report limited opportunities for progression, unstable contracts, and uncertainty about how their contributions should be acknowledged in scientific publications. These issues are rarely discussed openly in research papers, yet they have serious consequences for staff retention, research quality, and the long‐term sustainability of imaging facilities.
            This study brings together evidence from two large international surveys conducted by the Global BioImaging community. More than 620 Imaging Scientists and core facility staff from 43 countries shared their experiences. One survey explored the main challenges affecting careers in imaging facilities, while the second focused on how contributions by Imaging Scientists are recognised in scientific publications through authorship or acknowledgements.
            The results reveal a consistent global picture. Respondents identified lack of recognition as a key factor limiting career development and job stability. Practices for giving credit in publications vary widely between institutions, disciplines, and regions, and many Imaging Scientists feel uncomfortable or unsupported when discussing authorship. These issues are closely linked: when contributions are not properly recognised, it becomes harder for Imaging Scientists to demonstrate their value, secure funding, progress professionally, and remain in the field.
            Importantly, this study does not only describe problems. Based on community input and existing best practices, it offers practical recommendations for different stakeholders, including research institutions, funders, publishers, facility leaders, and research teams. These recommendations aim to improve transparency, align evaluation systems with real contributions, and support fair and consistent recognition.
            By making the experiences of Imaging Scientists visible at a global scale, this publication highlights the people behind imaging technologies and provides an evidence base for strengthening careers, research quality, and the sustainability of shared scientific infrastructures.},
	language = {en},
	urldate = {2026-05-12},
	journal = {Journal of Microscopy},
	author = {Thompson, Kerry and Bischof, Johanna and Reis, Yara and Arvanitis, Constadina and Balogun, Olubunmi A. and Brown, Claire M. and De Niz, Mariana and Díaz, Marcela and Engelbrecht, Lize and Fabian‐Morales, Eunice and Fazeli, Elnaz and Fletcher, Georgina and Guerrero, Adan and Itano, Michelle S. and Kable, Eleanor and Kitten, Gregory T. and Komoto, Shinya and Ma, Xiaoxiao and O'Toole, Peter John and Pinto, Andreia and Pollak, Cora Noemi and Prats, Clara and Pylvänäinen, Joanna W. and Riches, James Douglas and Salamero, Jean and Silio, Virginia and Terjung, Stefan and Winter, Sophie and Wright, Graham Daniel and Yen, Lisa and Keppler, Antje},
	month = apr,
	year = {2026},
	pages = {jmi.70089},
}
Downloads: 0
About
Documentation
Keywords
Search
Users
Terms and Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Sitemap
© BibBase.org 2021