Researchers make little headway in government talks

French researchers have come away disappointed after meeting a government adviser to discuss their demands for better conditions.

Vincent Berger, an adviser to president François Hollande, met a delegation of laboratory directors on 4 November in Paris. They represented the 830 directors who had written an open letter to Hollande in October.

The letter called for increased recruitment in universities and research organisations, a review of funding for laboratories to ensure that they can perform long-term research, and a restructuring of R&D tax credits for businesses.