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Agreed. We need to support increase funding and pay for public scientists. It is not even remotely competitive to the private market, and it is frustrating to
by SubiculumCode 4y ago
Agreed. We need to support increase funding and pay for public scientists. It is not even remotely competitive to the private market, and it is frustrating to know that I could earn substantially more if I left my academic research position.
- prepend 4y agoActually the pay is pretty good considering $100k+ to do actual science. I think the issue is these are non-scientist roles at Google and whatnot that pay more because they are paying scientists to not be scientists. It’s like the highest pay for a geologist is in government unless you want to stop doing science and work for oil.
- SubiculumCode 4y agoIt takes 5-7 years to get your PhD, 3-5 years as a postdoc, then starting pay is usually 85-90, but set to grow fairly quickly but to out at 145+benefits. That extra decade in "training" is a lot of missed economic opportunity
- prepend 4y agoYes, certainly. But if you just want economic opportunity then science isn’t for you. Start driving trucks at 18 and you’ll have more money with all those extra years of income. But $100k+ is decent compensation (And way above the median) to be able to work in one’s area of interest. I think being able to do science while still having a good salary is a big positive in life. But yes, there are many other ways to make more money.