[cat199]

the comment says 'underpay ... relative to say Investment Bankers, VCs or mgmt consultants.'

the point as I see it is that if scientists are of strategic importance, they should be compensated accordingly to prevent the risk of bribery/defection - the same reason companies justify high pay to these other jobs to 'retain their talent'.

[chasd00]

isn't it well known that you make less money in academia than in business? The trade off is job security.

I'm sure he could go lead a lab at Exxon for millions but the moment he doesn't deliver he's fired.