The Scientist Selects the Noble Foundation as One of the Best Places to Work for Post Doctoral Fellows

ARDMORE, Okla., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally renowned for its plant science discoveries and agricultural programs, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation added another distinction today.

The Scientist's magazine released its annual Best Places to Work for Post Doctoral Fellows (postdocs) survey and the Noble Foundation was ranked No. 8. More than 80 institutions nationwide participated in the magazines 6th annual survey with the results available today in anticipation of the publication's March issue.

This year marks the first time the Noble Foundation participated in the magazine's postdocs survey during its storied 62-year history. The Noble Foundation also ranked as the highest plant science research institute on the list.

"The Noble Foundation is widely regarded as a source of excellence in the scientific and agricultural communities," said Michael A. Cawley, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Noble Foundation. "The results of this national survey reaffirm that the Noble Foundation is dedicated to performing world-class research and providing abundant opportunities for those that conduct that research. We have the best postdocs from around the world and -- as an organization -- we strive to provide them the means to succeed during and after their time here."

The Noble Foundation employees 57 postdocs from more than 20 different countries to conduct research in the Foundation's world-class facilities in Ardmore, Okla. Postdocs are typically defined as non-tenure scientists with a doctoral degree, many of whom have recently graduated. Postdocs typically spend three years at a research institution after graduation gaining valuable experience.

Noble Foundation scientists provide training and mentorship to help postdocs establish their careers and become independent as scientific investigators or university faculty.

"The Noble Foundation competes with countless national and international research organizations to recruit the best postdocs from around the world," said Richard Dixon, Senior Vice President and Plant Biology Division Director. "This survey shows the Noble Foundation is among the very elite at providing an environment that helps launch these young scientists into their careers."

The Scientist's web-based survey ran from Oct. 1 to Dec. 2, 2007, gathering almost 3,100 responses from postdocs at 82 institutions in the United States. Participants were asked to rate their institution on 44 criteria in 11 different areas that make up their institutional environment. The Noble Foundation ranked as one of the highest paying institutions for postdocs and received its top scores for:

-- generously funding postdoc research programs;
-- the quality of the infrastructure;
-- the ability to provide excellent communication with postdocs; and
-- the networking opportunities it provides postdocs.

"There is no doubt the Noble Foundation has planted its flag as an international center for plant science research," said Dixon, one of only two members of the National Academy of Sciences from Oklahoma. "Postdocs come from around the world to southern Oklahoma for an opportunity to learn and grow as scientists. This survey shows we're doing a very good job at preparing them for their life as a scientist."

The Noble Foundation topped such recognized research organizations as the Mayo Clinic, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, as well as dozens of universities, including the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Duke University. The full results of The Scientist survey will be published in the upcoming issue available March 11.

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (http://www.noble.org/), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.

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Source: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

CONTACT: J. Adam Calaway, Director of Public Relations of The Samuel
Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc., +1-580-224-6209, jacalaway@noble.org

Web site: http://www.noble.org/

2008-03-03 21:52:59 0303513 PRNEWSWIRE