It's not clear that "more attractive" is actually necessary - as mentioned, they're already hugely competed for. But to address your comments: 0% or negative o

It's not clear that "more attractive" is actually necessary - as mentioned, they're already hugely competed for. But to address your comments: 0% or negative overhead? - While indirect cost return, which is where I get some of my overhead back, is awesome when you can negotiate it, indirects are not the boogeyman HN likes to make them out to be. For government grants, these are known factors. For private industry, lower overhead rates can often be negotiated. Same for foundations, etc. No teaching? - This depends entirely on the person, but generally, reduced teaching obligations help if you're interested in research. There are people who are passionate about teaching and don't want to give that up. There are people who are in purely research positions (like me) and maybe voluntarily teach a single graduate seminar once every other year. Many of both groups love their jobs. Longer Sabbaticals? - There is some research showing that faculty who don't take sabbaticals are more likely to leave. I'd suggest instead of "longer" more frequent. An opportunity to "clear the deck" so to speak. Fewer admin duties? - wistful, longing expression Be left alone to do research? - This is probably our #1 request, but how to actually make that happen is something of an open problem.