This editorial looks at the increasing popularity of hiring those with a research background to work in research support roles within libraries. Whilst having experienced the research process is a benefit to understanding what others go through, is this hiring pattern running the risk of perpetuating the problems which require research support in the first place? And what does this mean for academic librarians looking to work in this sector? This piece explores the need to staff these roles with those from a mixture of backgrounds in order to create a balance and provide the best service possible to researchers.