The Romanian Researchers Profile and Career in the Knowledge Based Economy Iulia Chivu*, Dan Popescu**, Alina Ciocarlan-Chitucea*** and Daniela Popescu **** This study examines the international profile and career of 157 Romanian researchers. The majority considers the insufficient funding of research in Romania as playing a major role in their decision to work in the knowledge based economy. In addition, the survey reveals several other factors which motivate the emigration of Romanian scientists. While abroad, the majority kept in touch with their former university/research institute, colleagues and/or the Romanian scientific community, in general. More than half of the respondents prefer to work outside Romania, after completing their current professional projects. Fields of research: Human Resources Management 1. Introduction Recent economic and technological developments have led to a growing international demand for highly skilled human resources. The increased competition for human capital has determined numerous OECD countries to take special measures for attracting and retaining human capital in such fields as: information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, health care, etc. These measures have stimulated the emigration of highly skilled professionals, especially from less developed to more developed economies. In this international context, in the last decade, Romanian people with an academic background have had a significant propensity towards emigration. This phenomenon is not surprising if one considers the limited (although increasing) number of attractive career opportunities in this region. Consequently, numerous scientists and other highly skilled individuals from Eastern Europe have been attracted by the United States, Canada and other Western countries, which have facilitated the access of certain categories of qualified foreigners. After the accession to the European Union, the number of Romanian and other Eastern European workers abroad is likely to increase. This can have negative consequences on the quantity, quality and structure of the workforce available in their home country. For instance, Romania’s internal production could diminish by more than 3%, due to emigration (Van der Putten, 2002). In addition, since most people who choose to live and work abroad are young, this phenomenon may also * Prof. Dan Popescu, Ph.D, Graduate Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, e-mail: dan.popescu@man.ase.ro ** Assoc.Prof. Iulia CHIVU, Ph.D, Graduate Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, e-mail: iulia.chivu@man.ase.ro *** Assist. Alina Ciocarlan-Chitucea, Ph.D Student, Graduate Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, e-mail: alina.ciocarlan@man.ase.ro **** Daniela Popescu, Ph.D Student, Graduate Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, e-mail: daniellapopescu@yahoo.com