By the Grace of the Gods (LN) - Volume 3 - Chapter SS3

The Reality of Research Jobs

“What was the monster research lab like?” Jane asked the three ex-researchers one day after work, when all the employees were chatting over dinner.

“Oh, are you interested in research? Or just monsters?”

“Both! I’m not that smart, though, so I’m really fascinated by scientists!”

“Ahaha, well, don’t get too excited.”

“I think we’ll disappoint you, but ask whatever you like.”

“Thanks!”

Caulkin, Tony, and Lobelia sat with the fascinated girl.

“But where should we start?”

“Can you tell me how you become a researcher?”

“That’s simple. You just need to be employed by a research facility. They hire sometimes, and if you have a teacher they can offer a recommendation. You can also personally visit a laboratory and negotiate for them to recruit you.”

“They’ll usually have some conditions for new applicants. For example, the Royal Monster Laboratory that I used to work at only hired people who earned high enough grades from an academy in the capital. You also have to pass a test on monster studies, then go through an interview process.”

“Once you’re hired, you’ll usually be assigned to some laboratory somewhere and start as an assistant to a more experienced researcher.”

When Maria heard these answers, she had her own question to ask. “What do you do if you’re not part of a laboratory? You and the boss aren’t associated with any labs, are you?”

“You’re a sharp one. We still do research, but we aren’t officially recognized as researchers. We’re treated as self-proclaimed researchers, so to speak. If we wanted to present the results of our research, we would have to personally submit a thesis to a research facility or have it judged by several different guilds. Our work is almost never viewed favorably, though,” Caulkin said, and the three ex-researchers’ expressions clouded.

“Why’s that?”

“They have a lot of pride. In a bad way.”

“You see, research tends to cost money. Research facilities dump tons of money into paying for workers and materials. You don’t want researchers from outside your facility to get results, because that may mean losing funding to someone else.”

“And if those results come from a researcher affiliated with no laboratory, it puts the laboratories in a bad light. They’ll always be pressured to meticulously look for flaws in our work. They have powerful people in charge.”

“Huh, so researchers with no laboratory don’t have any opportunities for success?” Jane asked. When she heard about the reality of research jobs, she frowned over how unfair it sounded.

“When you publicize your results, it’s always possible that a research facility will seek to recruit you. But like any organization, laboratories have hierarchies and factions, so joining a laboratory doesn’t necessarily mean upward mobility. In fact, the struggle only gets worse from there.”

“You’ll still get the same meticulous criticism and pressure as before, and any objections are considered complaints about the boss. Low level employees can’t point out mistakes without earning someone’s ire. The boss may also pass off your research as their own. Everyone’s always trying to get in everyone else’s way too.”

“They even say that you need to be part of a faction to get anywhere as a researcher. You either need connections with powerful people, or the political talent to navigate those tumultuous seas. Your research itself is the second or third priority. That’s the truth about low level researchers. Maybe it’s different if you manage to advance through the ranks, but we couldn’t tell you about that,” Caulkin said self-derisively, then laughed. “Nowadays, I question why I was ever so obsessed with that place. I was able to get food and a home here. I can earn enough to fund my research too. I don’t even have to waste my free time on meaningless power struggles.”

“I feel that! That place was suffocating. This new job is relaxing by comparison, and the boss actually listens to us.”

“I can focus on my research much more here than I did there. It’s kind of strange.”

The three researchers agreed and laughed, enjoying the food and conversation. The day ended peacefully.