The thing is that now scientists are not handled as objects (like soldiers, for example), its just the property of the base. I mean, the base has name, facilities, many more other things stored in it and also has number of free scientists, that hang out there (not used in research, with is separate object). Its not like we can track separate scientist, we just have their total number. If you want to know more about objects in the game, just check your save file, it is more or less show how the game handles things.
I dont see anything impossible in making scientists another object, like soldiers. But there must be strong gamedesign behind that feature, and I think it falls under "why my suggestion rejected" article