This includes a high probability of working for multiple employers, and even having multiple careers. Publicly funded jobs will decrease in number as countries privatize or cut budgets. The private sector will continue to reduce staff as consolidations follow mergers in pharmaceutical firms. This may continue. In addition, the microprocessor revolution has greatly changed the span of control.
Organizations can now be very flat, since information is much more freely available.
Hence, the individual can be more self-directed. As the government decreases spending to balance the budget, and industry tries desperately to increase next quarter's results, we can expect continued pressure to reduce the employment of scientists. Firms will react to short-term needs by hiring for the short term. Conceivably, some will practice project management. When the project is over, the staff is cut.