Quarterly NEWSLETTER
October 2012 VOL. 13

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Measuring the universe’s ‘exit door’
—mit.edu

The point of no return: In astronomy, it’s known as a black hole — a region in space where the pull of gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. Black holes that can be billions of times more massive than our sun may reside at the heart of most galaxies. Such supermassive black holes are so powerful that activity at their boundaries can ripple throughout their host galaxies.

Now, an international team, led by researchers at MIT’s Haystack Observatory, has for the first time measured the radius of a black hole at the center of a distant galaxy — the closest distance at which matter can approach before being irretrievably pulled into the black hole.

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Experts Predict: Half Your Workforce Will Be Temps
—ere.net

The world is suddenly waking up to the discovery that employers are bringing on temp and contract workers at a pace that will soon surpass the peak numbers of 2006.

Subscribers to The Fordyce Letter first read about the surge in temp workers in the May issue. Following the release of the June employment numbers by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, FordyceLetter.com reported, “There are now 2.534 million contract and temp workers in the U.S., a number just a few months shy of exceeding the all time high of 2.657 million reached in August 2006.”

Now, U.S. News says “Temp Workers Make Huge Comeback.” The article points out that the staffing industry has regained almost all the jobs lost in the recession, while other employers have added just over half the ones they shed. It’s not simply a sign of cautious employers bringing in extra help while waiting to see what the economy will do, but evidence of a trend.

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Els DeMeester
Recruitment Consultant
Lab Support Europe

Els joined the Antwerp, Belgium office of our Lab Support Europe operations in March 2011 as a recruitment consultant. She came to the company with an extensive biotech background, holding a master’s of science degree in biotechnology, and then subsequently worked for 12 years at a biotech company in their research department. She also has two years of sales experience in water treatment and biotech products.

Day-to-day you’ll find Els actively recruiting and handling employee questions while connecting with existing and new clients. She also spends a lot of time attending job fairs and biotech events to remain up-to-date on biotech and other related industries. Els hopes to continue to grow as a recruiter and to help more people find their way in their career.

Els most enjoys working with her clients and candidates to match the right person to the right job. She is especially proud to have successfully filled some assignments with very specific and unique requirements. She is also pleased to work with such dedicated colleagues, and hopes that they continue as a team for many years to come.

Els has the distinction of achieving President’s Club, a performance-based competition, in her first year with the company.

When not working, Els enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and participating in sports (aerobics, running, and especially skiing with her children).

Nano-Velcro Clasps Heavy Metal Molecules in its Grips
insciences.org
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Brain-Computer Interface for Spinal Cord Injury
spectrum.ieee.org
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USDA Researches New Ways to Protect Avocados from Beetles
sciencedaily.com
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Researchers develop efficient, scalable process for making renewable liquid fuels
insciences.org
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Boosting Skin's Permeability to Drugs
sciencedaily.com
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The following Industries expect to have an increase in projects that may result in additional contract staff* within the time frames below:

4–6 months:
Biotechnology
Chemical
Personal Care Products

6–9 months:
Environmental
Personal Care Products

9–12 months:
Food and Beverage

*This insight is based on our comprehensive September 2012 survey of contract staffing buyers. The full report is titled, "Lab Support Index." The above results are from the report and are related to buyers' strategies for managing staffing resources.

Through our dedicated divisions, On Assignment (NYSE: ASGN) has the ability to provide a complete range of staffing solutions to meet the needs of most areas within life sciences.

Our Lab Support and
On Assignment Engineering divisions fill short- and long-term, contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire science and engineering positions. While our Sharpstream division offers international executive and middle management retained search services. Through our clinical research division, Valesta, we provide resourcing solutions that include functional outsourcing as well as contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire options.

For complete staffing solutions: