Forums » Netherlands » Employment in the Netherlands

• ivettes

  

  • 50 posts
   

  May 14, 2012 6:34:10 PM CEST

  Hey guys,

  I was wondering if anyone of you happens to personally know the salary for a Scientist (so someone with a PhD and 1-2 yrs of workin experience), field Biochemistry /Analytical Development.

  I found a piece of information for some well-know companies (in Leiden and Weesp, for example) it was 3500-4500 gross/month (even 5000 for the 2nd one) - but I now I receive pretty much conflicting information from a recruiter (who I think is trying to ***** me over) saing its some 30% less (around 2900 gross the MAXIMUM one can expect for the same position).. I kind of think this is major ***

   

  So I would really appreciate if one of you works for one of these companies and would be willing to give me an honest piece of information (if you feel uncomfortable writing here and stating your salary, please write me in private)

• osita

  

  • 2284 posts
   

  May 14, 2012 7:12:02 PM CEST

  All I'm saying is a team secretary with a college dipolma can get €2500 gross: a Director's secretary can get upto €3000.
  
  I don't know what a scientist would get, but I'm sure it's more than just €400 than their secretary.
  
  I agree with your sentiments about the agency. Approach known companies directly with an open solicitation for much better results :)
• bbastos

  

  • 29 posts
   

  May 14, 2012 7:54:02 PM CEST

  Well, welcome to the Netherlands. :) Where a secretary does NOT earn much less than a scientist working with her, nor should.
  
  So, basically the scientific market in the NL is not so promising at the moment. A person getting a PhD here earns 2000 gross/month in the 1st year and 2600 in the 4th.
  
  After that, the usual path is to work as postdoc/researcher for an University. This new phase is around 2800-2900 gross/month, regardless of your age. So in this sense, your recruiter didn't lie. In exceptional cases, if you are really needed, they can offer 3500... but this is really not often.
  
  Another path is working for a company. Since they know your possible salary in Academia, they will also offer around 2900-3500 depending of your experience.
  
  Please, do not hand pick these examples of salary higher than 3500, or even 5000 gross/month, and think that is the norm. These are really amazing highly desperate offers. And I am not sure they would offer that as a long contract. Anyway, exceptions are possible.
  
  In a developing country, it is normal to find colleagues earning 10x more for the same amount of time. Gladly not here. :) Hence the huge shortage of medical doctors, scientists and engineers.
  
  Anyway... nobody is that recruiting agency is trying to fool or insult you. More likely wanting to bring you to reality. :)