On one aspect of science policy based on an uncertain model

We discuss one aspect of the allocation of new scientists to teaching and research careers. In the past, this allocation problem was treated on the basis of a model with known parameters and as a classical optimal control problem with the allocation proportion as the sole control. The utility function took both short- and long-term goals into account. Here, we allow for uncertainty in the possibly time-varying system parameters. We account for the possibility of new scientists choosing careers other than teaching and research. Finally, we treat the allocation problem not as an open-loop optimal control one, but rather as one of robust control, insensitive to the system uncertainties, in order to assure the desired numbers of teachers and scientists within a computable horizon.