Job Discussion Forums

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

I just recieved a proposed offer (subject to the Provost's approval) through email from ZU.

It's an assistant professor title with a monthly salary of 17000. I was wondering if the salary is negotiable for a proposed offer (to the Provost) like this.

They did not ask me how I feel about this offer---something like "let us know if you would like to accept this or not."

Thank you all for your responses.

(In the previous post, I asked some questions about job application on behalf of a friend.)

fsam · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject:

Hello, you did not mention what your degree is (masters or Phd) in what area and how many years of experience. I am not certain, but I would think that this has some influence. Also, do they offer housing and benefits?

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

Thank you, fsam.

I have a M.A in Applied Linguistics and a Ph.D in ESL/Linguistics and a little more than 10-year university teaching experience (during my M.A and Ph.D years and including the two-year post-doc period). They do provide housing and benefits.

BTW, is being an asian a minus when it comes to the salary?

Thanks.

fsam · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject:

I cannot give too much input since I havent moved to UAE yet (I will in august). Anyway, I too have a PhD and 2.5 years of postdoctoral experience and 4 years as a teaching assistant and was offered the same as you at AUS (including housing and benefits). Maybe, the more experience ones here can tell us if this is reasonable, and if is negotiable. I did try to negotiate a bit, but it wasnt too succesful, what I was told by the dean is that salaries are frozen due to the economic crisis. But maybe is not necessarily the same for ZU.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

I would concur with fsam and say that your salary offer is fairly generous, or at the very least the standard. I doubt that any teaching experience prior to your completing a Ph.D. would count for much in terms of salary negotiations.

Personally, free housing is a key consideration, all other academic concerns aside of course. With housing, you'll be free from the whims of the rental marketplace. And we all know how fickle that can be.

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

Thank you both for the response.

Do you know anything about the cost of living in UAE in general?
There seems to be no thread on this topic. What's the average expense on
food, water, cable, internet, and utilities(electricity, gas)?
Thanks.

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

Hi newtogolf,

If you have Microsoft Excel, click on the link below and you will see the most comprehensive cost of living spreadsheet I have ever seen. The prices listed are for 2006, but still well worth your while.

http://www.grapeshisha.com/grapeshishaUAECOL2006v1.xls

Enjoy!

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

WOW! anaxiforminges,

Thanks a lot! I did not expect this. I am not an avid consumer for any fancy stuff. The list does help me get an idea of how my daily life will be like there.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That is a great list. It would be helpful if people who are currently there could take a glance and give an idea of how much prices have risen.

VS

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

Glad to be of help!

VS, I too hope someone can update those of us outside the UAE on any fluctuations in the price of things listed on the spreadsheet. I plan on updating it myself once I get there, but that's going to have to wait at least until August.

newtogolf · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 49

By the way, should I even try asking for possible salary raise at this stage?

anaxiforminges · Joined: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 136 Location: UAE

If you know you're getting a decent offer, asking for a raise right off the start might not endear you to your new colleagues. I think we have a mentality in North American academia that we ALWAYS need to negotiate, otherwise we'll get screwed. While often justified, it can also lead to a permanent feeling of insecurity at salary offers.

Havind said that, I myself asked if "there was room for negotiation regarding the initial salary." Since the eventual offer was already more than what I had expected, I didn't need to negotiate. It's perfectly reasonable of course to ask the yearly percentage increase in salaries. Or try to negotiate the teaching load, or even a start-up package for research, etc.