Hello

I was doing my BSc In Pharmacology at Newcastle University, currently I am doing my MRes in Biotechnology at Nottingham Trent University.

At the moment I am considering various options for my future, especially taking into account applying for a PhD.


As you are much more experienced than me, I would like to ask you, what kind of salaries are possible after Phd completion, especially in industry in Europe. As scientists are not well appreciated ( not comparable with the doctors' salaries), the salaries are the thing that worry me the most when I am thinking about the future connected with science.

The other option I am considering is medicine, after which I would be able to do also some research, be well paid and help other people.


Thanks.

There are salary checkers on most job-finding/recruitment web sites these days. Have a look around and type in some science jobs you think you might be interested in. Typically (at the moment) most post-doc positions should be no less than £27,000-£28,000 per year in the U.K. However, don't get your hopes up too high for industry, as these days with the credit crunch and so many graduates/PhD's about, industrial experience is a major factor that companies are on the look out for regardless of education (which I think is ridiculous!).

With a PhD, though, it is much easier to climb the ladder and get higher pay sooner than someone without in most decent industries/companies. Just be warned, though, that initially you may have no choice but to start out at a rather poor salary when you first move into industry from academia.

This is just my opinion and don't know if that really helps much... perhaps other people will have better ideas. Pharmacology and Biotechnology are still doing really well in Europe and there are a lot of good opportunities out there, so don't worry 8-)

======= Date Modified 28 Feb 2010 19:24:50 =======
Thank you a lot for all the information.


But additionally I wonder, what positions can I apply for in industry after obtaining my PhD or after obtaining my Masters? As work in industry is as I suppose better paid than in academia. And I'm not sure if I have enough interest and passion about the science to work as a strict scientist as it is not '9 till 5' work and not paid well ;) and how are these positions in industry paid?

Also I consider starting studying dentistry (as it is shorter than medicine and Im not the youngest now;) ) but it takes a few years..

What out of the three options :

1. Phd
2. Starting to work in industry
3. Starting Dentistry studies

will you recommend ?

oh additionally I was also concerning doing masters in accountancy and ACCA..

Thanks :)

Hi Whuniverse, if you're thinking of starting a dentistry course in the UK, you'll have a hell of a time trying to get on a course - even with the PhD and string scientific background. I'm not saying it's impossible of course. But I have a mate that wanted to study dentistry, very well qualified and with lots of experience working in the NHS, but no joy. If you do decide to go ahead, consider UCLAN; they do graduate entry dentistry and have about 20-odd places available per year.
Studying medicine is a good call - there's an intriguing video on Vitae presented by a young lass who describes her experiences of having done a PhD and now studying medicine. Bear in mind that it's as tough as trying to get into dentistry though.

I am not even trying to get into medicine/dentistry in the UK..

Haven't got enough voluntary experience and to be honest after 4 years in the UK I'm already planning to do my PhD or dentistry somewhere closer to or in my country i.e. Poland..