Don't count on your research job in industry remaining stable if it can be outsourced to a university lab. The ceiling on your pay is that of a postdoc's plus university overhead.
Thankfully, my work is sufficiently specialized and my background is strong enough I am not easily replaced.
However, like many on HN I'm not representative of the general population and am certainly in a fortunate position. I am on a 'tenure track' in an organization where proprietary work and intellectual property I develop is legitimately valued.
But broadly, I agree. And I've seen some pretty horrific results along the lines you alluded occur to several of my colleagues.
Thankfully, my work is sufficiently specialized and my background is strong enough I am not easily replaced. However, like many on HN I'm not representative of the general population and am certainly in a fortunate position. I am on a 'tenure track' in an organization where proprietary work and intellectual property I develop is legitimately valued.
But broadly, I agree. And I've seen some pretty horrific results along the lines you alluded occur to several of my colleagues.