Job Discussion Forums

foxterrier2005 · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

Hi!
The question will not concerns ESL teaching, but I think there are experienced people on the phorum and they’ll help me. I’m Russian, I have PhD in Chemistry and I get an offer go to Shenzhen, China to conduct investigations, i.e. postdoctoral fellow. My future tutor tell the following about salary. For a postdoctor, the total salary per year is about 14170 USD, thereinto 570 USD is delievered per month, 7320 USD is delievered in each year end. This figures are summarized from the postdoc salary (570 USD) and Shenzhen government subsidy for investigators which work in Shenzhen. Also, I’ll be have a house subsidy. So, the apartment rent (ca. 40 sq. meters) will be only 300 RMB per month.
So, is it a great deal about salary? Is it enough money to common life in Shenzhen? Is anybody have an experience concerns postdoctoral fellow in China and its nuances? Thirdly, does anybody know about the possibility to teach in China for Russians. Could you give me some example of that? Thank You!

bnej · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Toronto

$14,170 seems fairly low considering you have a Ph.D in Chemistry... can you not get better offers in other countries? Surely China isn't the only place to do your postdoc fellow. Have you tried American / Canadian / European schools?

foxterrier2005 · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

The heart of the matter is that I like China and I want get a job in China. The salary provided isn't great as it in American or European countries. So, I want to clarify some things. For example, is this amount of money allows me to live well in Shenzhen?

Roxanna522 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 6

Hi there, I live in Shenzhen right now and everything is fairly cheap, by American standards that is. By Chinese standards, it's definitely one of the pricier cities to live in. Lots of nicer restaurants, bars and shops in the area that aren't very cheap. I think with your salary you can live ok, but your money will go fast.

bnej · Joined: 09 Jun 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Toronto

I have not been to Shenzhen, but that kind of money in Beijing would not take you very far, particularly if you live as a foreigner (ie. pay more for food because you eat out more often, and shop at western style markets). The fact that you get over half of your salary in a giant lump sum at the end of the year doesn't help either.

If your salary was paid more evenly throughout the year, your lifestyle would be considerably better.

Have you tried negotiating for more?

foxterrier2005 · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 3

I tried to negotiate, but the professor said that the salary provided is the highest in China for postdoc and it's enough to live in Shenzhen. Unfortunately, the huge part of the salary is paid once a year. This is a bad deal!
To Roxanna522.
What is the food prices in Shenzhen? How much is the trips in Hong-Kong?

Roxanna522 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 6

Don't believe the professor. I'm making way more than $15,000 US and all I have is a Bachelors Degree and no teaching experience whatsoever, and I get paid monthly (no lump sum). It's definitely not a good deal. In Shenzhen going out to eat at an average restaurant is pretty cheap ($2-$6US), but there's lot of nice places your going to want to try and they are average American prices ($15 and up). To go to Hong Kong you can take a bus and it's $12US and it takes about 45 minutes.

sharpe88 · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 226

But he's not teaching english. Need to compare apples to apples