Is there a standard research career? the unintended consequences of task specialisation in science

Research systems often envisage academic careers as linear and sequential. However, Nicolas Robinson-Garcia, Rodrigo Costas, Cassidy R. Sugimoto, Vincent Larivière and Gabriela F. Nane argue that, not only do career stages in science tend to be more diverse than are usually recognised, but they also change profile over the course of a career. By mischaracterising academic careers in this way, the authors warn research systems risk reinforcing a limited interpretation of science.