Job Discussion Forums

[12know]

updated. see the next post.

[12know]

fast fingers or too impatient.

[12know]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I am exploring possibilities in engineering (where there are ads.) and found this forum (thanks to google).

Wow, lots of changes. Are the benefit package different for different program?

Read the Acting P's state of the Institution speech where transport and housing were mentioned.

Any information you can share will be very useful.

Thanks again.

[veralynn]

Hi again - there's no difference in packages between programs but it will depend on the position you are applying for.
Transport = bus to and from work into town also you can get an interest- free loan to buy a car.
Housing = not on campus at the moment (as far as I know). You will get a housing allowance and the rest is up to you (with some assistance from the PI tbh). The good news is that rents are finally falling, but they still have some way to go. Would you be looking for housing just for yourself or for family too? Obviously the former is a lot more likely to be within your allowance. So this issue remains thorny.
You would also get a furniture allowance, an allowance for water & electricity, flights home once a year (the amount should cover N.America), healthcare and an education allowance for any kids.
40 working hours per week, contact hours are low. Students are good, in my experience. Management - hmm - but the recent shuffling of Foundation hasn't affected us and most mis-management doesn't really seem to affect my day-to-day job.
Erm - that's all I can think of for now. Let me know if there's anything else. PM me if you want.
VL

[12know]

[veralynn]

OK! Yes I would say that most people (not in Foundation) are happy at the PI. Just be aware that housing is expensive as I said in my previous post. Other than that you should be fine.

[johnkg]

[12know]

[12know]

[veralynn]

[Splitting Hairs]

Just heard that one or maybe two more teachers/lecturers have been laid off. He/She is not in Foundation but in the degree program. Not a good time to tell someone just before the holidays.

[12know]

[veralynn]

Housing in Abu Dhabi is generally not easy to come by, so what tends to happen is that when you arrive you will be shown a few places, fingers crossed at least one of them will be liveable in and you take that one! You don't have many options or much time as a new arrival to pick and choose. However, there are no really 'undesirable' areas in AD (though commuting to the PI from the centre of town would be a bit of a nightmare) so your decision is more based on what the house/apartment itself is like rather than the area. The main things to be concerned with are: roadworks - ubiquitous to AD at the mo, so you would want to avoid the Tourist Club Area; parking - some areas are just impossible and people spend half an hour driving around looking for a parking space; construction - again ubiquitous to AD, but if you are near a construction site you can guarantee they will start at 7am latest, at least 6 days a week - that's an absolute minimum, it could be much, much worse than that! Other than that just the normal stuff like what's the drive to work like, are there any shops/green areas nearby etc etc.

[Splitting Hairs]

Khalifa A and B would be the most logical places to work as the drive is short to the Pi and accommodation is cheaper and larger. There are schools now and more facilities. Many Pi people I believe are now living there.

[12know]

Hi Veralynn & SH, thanks for the information. They are helpful. Now I have a (slightly) better idea of what to expect and about the geographic locations of some housing areas.

Heat (outside of a building) is definitely something I do not enjoy entertaining for a long period of time. Looks like not buying a car is not an option.