Argentinian Scientists Forced into Side Jobs Amid Government Cuts: A Global Warning

The Struggle of Argentina's Scientists

Leonardo Amarilla, a geneticist and PhD holder, is among Argentina's top researchers facing a dire situation. Working full-time at Conicet, Argentina's national science council, Amarilla's focus on improving crop yields has been overshadowed by the need to drive for Uber to make ends meet. President Javier Milei's austerity measures have slashed salaries, leaving many in the scientific community struggling to afford basic necessities.

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, has significantly cut funding for public science institutions.

The Impact on Research and Lives

• Salary Cuts: Conicet salaries have lost nearly 35% of their purchasing power.
• Hiring Freeze: 850 approved researchers were not hired under the new administration.
• Access to Resources: Contracts with academic publishing houses have been suspended, cutting off access to scientific journals.

Valeria, a cancer researcher, abandoned her studies due to insufficient income, turning to teaching high school biology instead. "I don’t want my training to go to waste," she says, planning to resume her research abroad.

Protests and Brain Drain

Thousands of scientists protested in Buenos Aires, dressed as characters from The Eternaut, denouncing what they call a "scienticide". Meanwhile, the brain drain continues, with researchers moving abroad or to the private sector.

Students and staff in Buenos Aires call on the government to reverse university budget cuts.

The Ideological Battle Against Science

Milei's administration views public science institutions as unnecessary, urging researchers to "go to the market". This stance threatens decades of research, with labs struggling to afford basic supplies like liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Matías Blaustein, a biologist, highlights the transdisciplinary nature of science, emphasizing the importance of publicly funded research free from commercial bias. Despite the challenges, many scientists continue their work out of passion, "like the orchestra on the Titanic".