The Scientist Selects the Noble Foundation as One of the Best Places to Work for...

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.
SOURCE The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.

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