Brussels, 18/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Europe needs many more women in research and science, pointed out Commissioner for Research Janez Potoènik on 14 May in Prague. “It's a little like being a magician - take a look at the upper levels of the occupational ladder in science and technology: women disappear!” Where have they gone, asks the Commission who also points out that it is like a “leaky pipeline”. While 60% of women are university graduates, only 30% of researchers are women. Women science and technology graduates now count for only 19% of full professors in public research institutions. About 18% of the R&D workforce in the private sector is female, 29% in the public sector. In this context, the European Commission launched two new reports on women in science. The first, “The gender challenge in research funding”, looks at how women could be assisted in scientific careers and the second, “Women in science and technology - Creating Sustainable Careers” examines the gender of candidates and the beneficiaries of and those responsible for European research funding. (B.C./transl.rh)