postdoc salary in A*star

[michaelli.yan]

Hi,

Recently I get a postdoc offer from A*star. The gross salary is S$4,900/month. HR said that I can enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits (e.g. dental, medical, AWS, personal productivity benefits, leaves and etc.). The offer is on the delivery now.

I want to know: Is it a good money for a family to live over there? Is it possible to ask for some more allwances before accepting the offer, such as housing bonus, relocation fee and airticket?

I have no idea about living expense over there. I have 2 little kids.

Any good suggestions?

Thanks ahead!

[redacted]

$4900 is on the very low end moving out here with your family. Schooling and rent will be what kills you.

If you where single you could survive easily living in HDB's and living like a local.

[madness]

with two small kids you will not be able to live on this, rent will be at least 2500, even an HDB. Schools will be a total killer. It's not fair on your family to bring them.

[surprised.. .]

i'm not in reseach but just trawling through the threads.... is this the going rate for a* postdocs? as an outsider i do feel shocked...

[check]

are you sure thats the offer? Sorry but thats very very low, I can't believe HR could think that a family of 4 could survive on that. Is there extra for housing? as said above housing will be at least 2.5k probably nearer 3k. Singapore is very expensive for an expat, locals get cheap government housing. where are you coming from?

[fritjes]

Postdoc salaries are fixed and there is very little flexibility - I believe starting salaries max out at $5,500/mth.

That a postdoc candidate has a family of 4 is irrelevant to HR. This is simply what the job pays.

Postdoc fellows get low pay almost everywhere across the world. I remember in the US there was a debate on the status of postdocs in institutions, as they are not considered employees (and thus the associated rights) due to how their pay is funded (from research grants).

If AStar is hiring you direct from overseas, getting a 1 time relocation and airticket shouldn't be a problem. However, i don't believe they offer full relocation or repatriation assistance.

This is based on experiences from a couple of friends who went through this 2-3 years ago. Things may have changed since but I doubt by much.

[So much for education]

We have expat people without degrees earning 10k+ doing admin jobs.

[Not enough]

Sorry mate but even if you negotiate to 6,800, it won't be remotely enough.

[may be enough]

$6-6K may be enough, but you will live like a local. HDB flat, hawker food, not much travel, local school for the kids, etc. it will be a frugal lifestyle. it can be done, but you need to be prepared for that.

but then, you probably already know that jobs in science research does not really pay much. what you should think about is how much this position will benefit your career. is the group you will be joining the authorities in your field? high impact factor for their publications? will it be beneficial to be associated with this group?

[yes]

that maybe so but I hope you have a strong marriage and understanding children, I wouldn't like to be the one stuck in substandard housing with 2 kids you can't afford to send to school, struggling to make ends meet each month. Is the career worth it?

[Reality is...............]

To the OP, there is a lot of negativity and much general criticism of Singapore life but in this particular case, the responses to the topics are genuine and helpful.  The salary on offer really is very, very low and financially a family of four would definitely struggle. At least half of your salary will have to be used for housing - which leaves you very little to play with.  As a single, it's manageable (cheaper/shared accommodation being an option) but you also have a family to support.

Also given that you have a Post Doc, I imagine that you are very concerned about education and obviously an international school will be out of the question for your children.  Let's not start a local vs international school debate (again) but just be aware that as a foreigner, new in town, your children will be at the bottom of the list when schools are allocated.  You will not get what you want, you will have to take what you are given and I cannot imagine that this is a situation that you would find satisfactory.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but better to be realistic than to make the move and realise that life is miserable!

[fritjes]

You can try asking for more, but A*Star being a govt stat board - pay is pretty fixed and go lock-step based on a number of variables (mainly qualifications).

You don't say if you are relocating with your spouse, and if he/she is the primary breadwinner or will also have to look for a job. If this is a supplementary/second income, you are probably okay. otherwise, with 2 kids - i wouldn't do it.

[michaelli.yan]

Thanks everyone! I will think about this offer carefully with all your kind suggestions!

[curisouslee]

Does anyone know whether there is supernuation provided in the proposed salary or not in Singapore? I have a similar offer, but nothing relevant to the supernuation. How does foreigner get the supernuation in Singapore?

[redacted]

curisoulee,

You wont get CPF (superannuation here) if you are here on anything less than a PR unless your contract specifically states it.