French researchers at the big research institutions have a great package. A good wage, benefits you can't begin to fathom (for example 10 weeks of paid holidays

French researchers at the big research institutions have a great package. A good wage, benefits you can't begin to fathom (for example 10 weeks of paid holidays is nothing special) and employment is guaranteed for life once permanent. The only negative is that the package is not really adjusted for location. It's a bit low in Paris compared to working in the industry (assuming you're good enough for that). It's competitive everywhere else.