>>520894619
There’s a chinese researcher at a top German University who got promoted to Professor in her early 30s. Rumor is she had a relationship with her German Professor who promoted her career. She ends up losing her leadership position at another German research institute for “losing” a work laptop on a visit to China and other breaches of security protocol. Her Chinese husband later completed his PhD in her lab in under 2 years.
I know of another Prof who married his student and employed her for 10 years in his lab to help her get a Professorship.
I would estimate that 30-40% of senior researchers have partners/family working at the same or closely affiliated research institute. The professors help each other employ family members.
Apparently it’s even worse in Italy.