What does a scientist cost?
I was flicking through the job ads in New Scientist today, and as usual, I was appalled by the salary levels. Some examples:
- Acoustic scientist in the navy: £25,000.
- Middle Atmosphere Scientist (PhD required): £29,360–£34,630.
- Post Doctoral Research Scientist (biochemistry): £24,200–£27,200.
- Scientist – Viral Vaccines: £20,575–£25,000.
- Postdoctoral Researcher Polymer Synthetics: £28,289.
At the same time, the government is frustrated because so few youngsters pursue science. No wonder! Doctors earn upwards of £100,000, as do many successful bankers, lawyers, broadcasters and so on. Why on earth would anybody pursue a career in science if it doesn’t pay?
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At last you’ve found sth worse paid than publishing! Bloody hell!
But in all seriousness, add to that the short contracts, instability, the constant writing up of paperwork for grant applications and moving from uni to uni dragging your family behind you like my mate Karen. I would recommend my kids don’t touch science with a barge pole.