Oxford University don Baroness Greenfield is to head a Government taskforce aiming to attract more women into science and engineering by giving mothers a better deal after career breaks.

Baroness Greenfield said: "I'm really pleased that the Government is finally going to do something about this. It's one reason why I don't have children myself."

She added: "Researchers are on fixed-term contracts until they get a lectureship and research grants are given on the basis of published scientific work.

"Women often return to work in a junior capacity because they're competing with people who have had two years or more to publish, while the women have been having babies.

"I hope that we can help them so that they do not have to make the decision I made."

She is professor of pharmacology at Oxford, a post she holds jointly with a role as Director of the Royal Institution, dedicated to popularising science. Her research has led to the setting up of a new company, Synaptica, which aims to find treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

A Government study found that about 50,000 women with degrees in science, engineering or technology are not using the skills in work at any one time.

Although many do return to work after having a baby, only about 8,000 return to a job that makes use of their education.

Baroness Greenfield's group will report to Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt by the summer and advise on how the UK can focus its efforts to address the under-representation of women.

Ms Hewitt said: "It's vital that we increase the number of women employed across the sciences, both for women's personal professional fulfilment and for the benefits they bring to scientific research and the UK economy."

As part of the project, Ms Hewitt has launched the Franklin Medal, in honour of Rosalind Franklin, whose research contributed to the discovery of DNA.

Each year, the medal -- and £30,000 -- will go to an innovative researcher. The Government will also give £35,000 a year to the Women in Science and Engineering campaign; and £80,000 to fund a scheme to provide female scientists and engineers with mentors.