Abstract
The article presents a sociological analysis of the experienced academic career building by young scientists of Kazakhstan. Young scientists as a social and professional community play an important role in modern research and innovation systems. In general, based on a survey of personal formalized interviews and in-depth interviews a holistic view of the status and career of young scientists, an understanding of how young researchers can succeed and contribute to the development of the country’s scientific landscape, and the obstacles they face in this is presented. Particular attention is paid to the living space and values, as well as to the conditions in the context of which early-career researchers work today, such as modern challenges, risks, opportunities and motivation that determine and shape their career trajectories in Kazakhstan’s scientific space.