In the UK certain academic disciplines have a long record of post docs disappearing off for a few years and then coming back, often driving a nicer car. Being p

In the UK certain academic disciplines have a long record of post docs disappearing off for a few years and then coming back, often driving a nicer car. Being publicly funded universities probably helps, but all it takes is establishing a relationship with the university in question. There's enough DOD grant money out there that if they wanted to they could probably change academic hiring practices to support that process. So could private industries for that matter.