• Question: What is it like to be a Scientist is it hard if so why and how much money do you make?

    Asked by Francis.K to Joe, James on 16 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by dumboscientist.
    • Photo: Joe Spencer

      Joe Spencer answered on 16 Mar 2015:

      Being a scientist is sometimes hard, bust mostly it’s great. i started off wanting to go into law or medicine as I thought that was my calling, but then I found physics and science and changed my mind. I don’t regret it at all.
      As a PhD student i can earn around 16-18,000 per year, which is all tax free. But soon i’ll be starting a post doc and be on £35,000 (can’t wait!!)

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 18 Mar 2015:

      Hi Francis & Dumboscientist

      I think being a scientist is great fun, you know you are helping expand human knowledge which is great. You get the chance to write scientific papers which means that once published your name will live on forever, alongside the greats of science! That I find pretty cool.

      It can be hard, mainly when things are not working and you have to keep grinding away at the problem until it is fixed and this can take a long time and be pretty soul destroying! However, when you get that answer, it is awesome, the feeling is incredible and you do get really really happy.

      Science also leads to you making great friendships with colleagues as you often travel to conferences in new places with them, and get to explore.

      I am a post-doc and get paid £30,000, post-doc salaries range from £26,000 to about £34,000, the average being what I am on (sorry Joe)

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