jon Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 Thats funny, they sure spend a lot of money sending me junk mail that I never read and ugly ass T-shirts I wouldn't even wipe my ass with. Quote
JayB Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 I dont remember the specifics, but it was for some type of bench chemist job. Organic synthesis of some type. I think on organic dyes, but I dont really know. Wow. That's amazingly low for that kind of work. Must be some folks willing to work for that, I suppose. When I was finishing up at UW there were miscellaneous consulting outfits and Wall Street quant-shops recruiting chem grads for their analytical skills, so there are other options. I think that in general the more interesting and rewarding a job is, the lower the pay. The pay-to-IQ/skill ratio in basic research is probably the lowest anywhere, but there's still a surplus of people who are passionate enough to accept those terms. Quote
Bronco Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 I think that in general the more interesting and rewarding a job is, the lower the pay. The pay-to-IQ/skill ratio in basic research is probably the lowest anywhere, but there's still a surplus of people who are passionate enough to accept those terms. Yeah, passionate about being geeks! Quote
JayB Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 Yup. New job comes with internet access, eh? Quote
sobo Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 I think that in general the more interesting and rewarding a job is, the lower the pay. Wowsers! That's quite a bold statement! I must be off the Bell curve in my profession... Quote
cj001f Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 The pay-to-IQ/skill ratio in basic research is probably the lowest anywhere, but there's still a surplus of people who are passionate enough to accept those terms. In the basic research labs I come in contact with they are only putting in their dues until something brighter comes along (except for a few who like the lifestyle of working 30hrs/week) Quote
JayB Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 General is the key word. Jobs that are dull, dirty, dangerous - or a combination of all three generally pay pretty well, because they have to to attract workers. Not true at the other end of the spectrum. There's a reason that they guys handling the biohardous waste that research labs crank out probably make more than the guys in the white coats that are generating it.... Quote
minx Posted October 12, 2005 Author Posted October 12, 2005 i want to know what research labs you're around that only put in 30hours a week!!! Quote
minx Posted October 12, 2005 Author Posted October 12, 2005 i don't often have to do 60 but 30 involves taking a vacation day. Quote
jon Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 I have to admit I'm pretty close to leaving basic research, which is really too bad because I'm pretty gifted at it and work hard and most of all enjoy it. I also expect to get paid though which is the rub. Of course between two wars and lots of natural disasters maybe the government has already made up my mind for me, it's a lot easier to quit when there is no salary for you! Quote
minx Posted October 12, 2005 Author Posted October 12, 2005 Aren't you in industry though? yeah but i found it was the same in academics. in academics it depends more on who your boss is though. i'm just trying to figure out where to get the 30 hour weeks. Quote
cj001f Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 60 is closer to the norm. Where? Pre-tenure academia, yes. More than that for grad students. Corporate closer to 40-50 depending. Government research labs are closer to 30 in my experience. Los Alamos, Livermore and the like. A former boss termed them "welfare for scientists" Quote
JayB Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 That's probably true. Sounds like quite the gig. Quote
cj001f Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 Sounds like quite the gig. Faust thought that as well. Quote
Bronco Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 Yup. New job comes with internet access, eh? Yep. Hey my low voltage electricans just got here so I gotta go make fun of them to compensate for my insecurity at only being 5'2" and having failed highschool chemistry. Quote
TrogdortheBurninator Posted October 12, 2005 Posted October 12, 2005 It is my understanding that the national labs have gotten more rigorous in their work loads in recent years. If you don't mind working on defense type projects they are definitely a good avenue for performing basic research without being involved in academia. Quote
cj001f Posted October 13, 2005 Posted October 13, 2005 On the subject of science "In 2001 U.S. industry spent more on tort litigation than on research and development" National Academy of Sciences report Oh, and Trogdor, my sources suggest the current trend at labs is more an effect of the current job market Quote
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