> the scientist is agreeing to work pay free for the university by attending it This statement makes me think you significantly misunderstand how scientists /

> the scientist is agreeing to work pay free for the university by attending it This statement makes me think you significantly misunderstand how scientists / universities function. The scientists (graduate students, postdocs, professors, staff) are all salaried employees of the university. The university does take some of the grant money given to lead professors (e.g. to pay the aforementioned salaries).