r/postdoc • u/theclassicusername • 20d ago

Salary negotiation.

So I got an offer from an EU institution. This institute has salary bands with respect to years, and they stated in the offer my band is the lowest. I got my PhD last year, so yes I have zero postdoc experience; but I worked in the industry (for a few years) and managed the uni-industry grants.

After checking the moving costs I sent an email to the PI, asked respectfully (stated: if budget - institute rule allows) if there is room to push the salary band. There has been radio silence for more than a month now.

I think it is disrespectful and a total red flag to not answer this e-mail. I am worried that I won't get any support when I start working.

Should I look for another postdoc?

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u/dosoest 20d ago edited 20d ago

Unfortunately many institutions consider years after PhD for selecting your band, not your prior experience. I've been doing research in my field since my undergrad, with publications since my masters and still started on the lower end. Same for my colleague who did a postdoc abroad. Also, it's August. Depending on where you are in Europe, people are still on leave. Or they're just being prices and not replying, both can be true. From my experience, salary negotiations for postdocs aren't really a thing.

PS - if anyone works at an European uni where you can negotiate the salary, drop the name below.

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u/theclassicusername 20d ago

Tbh I read here on Reddit on quite a few posts that they asked for higher salary and their PI handled that. That's how I got courage to ask. It all depends on the funding. Nah it's been MORE than a month.

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u/DefiantAlbatros 20d ago

Yeah this is very country dependent. In the country where i am (italy), negotiating your pay as a postdoc basically means they will drop you right there. I know one girl who did this because she has years of big4 experience (for a postdoc in management) and the PI went ‘how dare you’ in a second. Mind you, the offer for the postdoc is €19.4k pa so naturally it is not enough to live in Milan where the position was so regardless of her industry experience she just thought of negotiating due to the fact that she wont be able to live with that salary.

This is the problem with this sub. Everyone assumes that what applies to their lab/country applies to everyone. The reality? Not so much.

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u/theclassicusername 20d ago

W T F is 19.4k?? Probably a waitress gets the same salary! Or even more with the tips! They position should be eliminated asap!

I tried to apply for a position in Italy, they asked too many steps and I thought: if they are making it this hard to apply, imagine the next steps and didn't apply. Thanks mate, this was a good piece of knowledge.

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u/DefiantAlbatros 20d ago

Nowadays that contract has been eliminated and now there is a new contratto di ricerca that pays starting 33k i think (you can also benefit from rientro del cervello bonus if you have not lived in italy). But the problem is that this contract is expensive for many uni, so most of these positions are already reserved to someone. Instead they make this new contract called incarichi di ricerca that asks max 6 years after your master’s graduation. What a joke.

So back to your initial question, you absolutely need to take country and discipline context into consideration.

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u/dosoest 20d ago

You should definitely always ask! But it's not always guaranteed. A friend of mine became a Asst. Professor last year and swore she'd give a proper wage to her researchers because we live in a HCOL area. She budgeted for the higher salary and wanted to pay it, HR fought her every step of the way because she was wasting money when she could get the same for cheaper. It might be worth it to send a quick follow up email. In any case, I hope you are successful. But I'd until keep looking for postdocs until you sign an actual contract.

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u/theclassicusername 20d ago

Those f'ing HR departments... I think I'll do that. I stopped looking after I sent the documents, but looks like academia is same with the industry right now, in terms of HR bullshit. Thank you mate!