Pparc life

Interviews are under way for a new chief executive of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council to step into the bullish Ian Halliday's shoes when he retires next April. Scientists are expressing relief that no nasty industry figures have crept on to the shortlist, which, according to the grapevine contains senior academics only.

Meanwhile, Professor Halliday is keeping quiet about his future, but those who know him predict he'll be after a big policy job in Europe rather than settling down to prune his roses.