Scots get top marks

Two leading Scottish research universities are among the top five places in the world to work, according to an international survey of life scientists.

The Scientist magazine's annual "best places to work in academia" survey lists Dundee and Glasgow universities as fourth and fifth respectively among top international institutions. Only two other UK universities make it into the top 15, with Cambridge at 13 and Manchester at 15. The top international institution is the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

The survey is based on some 2,600 responses from life scientists about working conditions, set against 41 criteria.

Scientists rated relationships with their peers, a sense of accomplishment in their work and access to research resources.

Peter Downes, dean of Dundee's faculty of life sciences, said: "It is pleasing to see Dundee's international reputation reflected in this influential poll. Currently, staff in the faculty represent 53 different nationalities, perhaps one reason why we do well in the survey."

John Coggins, dean of Glasgow's faculty of biomedical and life sciences, said it was the biggest grouping of its kind in Europe, with some 500 researchers in areas ranging from biochemistry to infection and immunity.