Differential Professional and Personal Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Career Researchers

Early career researchers (ECRs) are crucial to scientific advancement, but ECRs, particularly those from underrepresented groups, face unique challenges as they establish careers. Given the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aimed to identify the pandemic's professional and personal impacts on ECRs.

This national cross-sectional survey study assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among ECRs by gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity. Between September and December 2021, the authors invited the 4,440 ECRs with National Institutes of Health training awards in 2020 to complete an online survey with measures assessing career, personal life, and demographics.

Of 4,440 eligible ECRs, 1,524 (34.3%) completed the survey and 1,458 (32.8%) met inclusion criteria. Most respondents reported negative impacts to in-person conference cancellations (1,355 [93.1%]), research productivity (K award, 1,148 [87.4%]; overall, 1,192 [81.8%]), career trajectory (891 [61.2%]), and mental health (1,189 [88.1%]). Respondents with childcare responsibilities commonly reported negative impacts (801 [80.1%]). On average, respondents reporting negative impacts identified with more underrepresented groups than those reporting nonnegative impacts for certain measures, such as research productivity (K award, 0.92 vs 0.73, P < .001; overall, 0.92 vs 0.79, P = .01) and mental health (0.92 vs 0.81, P = .03). In free responses, respondents expressed stress as they balanced overwhelming demands of emerging careers and personal lives. Despite setbacks, many respondents cited new opportunities, including new projects (1,156 [79.3%]), new collaborators (926 [63.5%]), and increased flexibility (894 [61.3%]).

The pandemic had significant, largely negative, and unequal impacts on ECRs. Underrepresented ECRs were particularly susceptible to pandemic disruptions, potentially exacerbating existing challenges. Individual- and organizational-level interventions are critical to rejuvenate and sustain the early career research pathway. These interventions will foster the success of the next generation of biomedical scientists and the future of scientific advancement.