91av

AS A great resource for those trying to find a career in science, 91av runs job recruitment pages every week. Some are a big deal. On 14 July 1966, we carried an advert for air traffic control officers. Around a million civil aircraft carrying 21 million passengers had overflown the UK in 1965, and the role was described as facing “a growing challenge… to meet the demands of the increasing numbers”. Quite: more than 2.5 million flights now cross the UK each year, with 230 million passengers, which is one of the arguments we are hearing for a third runway at Heathrow airport.

More down-to-earth was an advert in our 16 July 1987 issue. was looking for a research assistant to monitor official orders affecting public rights of way in England and Wales. No command of congested skies was required, only “some knowledge of footpath law”. Interesting, then, that the 1966 air traffic controller was set to earn £2300, the 1987 rambling research assistant £8000. Adjusting for inflation, the controller would be earning about £30,000, and the rambler around £20,000: you might expect the more stressful job to be worth much more.

By 2006, even though the internet had become a thing, 91av was still packed with ads. Big ones. In our 22 July issue, the UK’s Department for Transport took out an entire page to recruit a head for its Criticality and Radiological Protection Branch. It was clearly a vital role, involving “all aspects of nuclear critical safety”, including the secure transport of radioactive materials and planning for emergencies. Salaries had boomed along with ad sizes. For a job just as responsible as an air traffic controller, the head of criticality would be on three times as much: about £90,000 in today’s terms. All the same, those looking for a less stressful life would probably still prefer a job with the Ramblers’ Association.