[mc32]

You're saying companies DON'T want researchers?

In any case, if there is a specific need for specific research, I'm sure the gov can figure out a way to incentivize particular useful tracks which the market ignores. Grants programs, etc.

[sharker8]

Companies value people who can apply the scientific method (experimental design, data gathering, data analysis, etc). They hire people who have acquired this specific knowledge often through grants. Whether these subsidies lead to application of the specific knowledge gained through the grant underwriting process is debatable. Companies will hire people who studied something that requires the scientific method for which there is maybe no market, and make them apply that approach to things for which there is a market.