Research science

[doublehelix2]

This is a pretty important area, as a lot of things happen through science, and I wondered what people know about the industry and what it is like in terms of employment, prospects etc?

I read a few comments from various people saying that the UK loses a lot of rearchers and scientists to places like the US, as they offer better pay, conditions etc. Why is this? I would have thought that the UK would need them.
Is science no longer seen as something that is worthwhile?

Anyway, any input from knowlegable scientists?

 

[Nitefly]

As far as I am aware work in the research sector, you obviously need a relevent degree (Bsc or other equivilent). Then you can do your PhD, which will vary in pay but will probably be bewteen £12-18k a year. Some are not funded at all.

Post doctoral work is extremely competitive, and consists of effectively doing PhD's again and again, and as your experience grows you be offered better research opportunities. The wages a good, but not great. To be top dog, a professor, things start looking very rosy with a minimum salary of £45k a year (with some over £70k a year), but I wouldn't aim to achieve this before you were 40. Obviously if working at a teaching institute other responsibilities will be reflected in your wage.

However, if you are talking of working in industry, thats a different matter all together.

 

[iraiguana]

I work at a chemistry research site. The way we work is that within the research area you have to present all your findings at the end of each year. This presentation is what hinges on next years work. You can earn decent wages going through pay scales. You will start off as a research scientist, we have two levels here so people with masters and BSc are separated from those with phd. These pay scales are around 20-24k then 25-28k. After a few years doing these you can make senior scientist where you expect 30-35k, then principle scientist which is 40k+. You have to be very good and all the ball for about 10-15 years to make principle scientist.

In the uk it is much more cut throat from research, america is similar but there is more opportunities to gain a research project from government and other companies ( stupid american laws stating it must be done by americans!).

Also as a graduate scientist you are able to work in america for 2 years tax free, or that was at least the last scheme to encourage people to go over.

Best thing to do would be work in uk for couple of years then move over to america with experience and better pay.