1. Introduction
The issue of salary within the Biotech & Scientific industries has long been a contentious one, with degree-qualified scientists often feeling undervalued and having to console themselves with the fact that they work for the love of their job rather than financial reward.
While it remains true to say that a scientific career is unlikely to allow you to retire as a millionaire, the continuing changes in the Scottish Biotech marketplace are gradually changing the views of both employers and employees towards remuneration. The industry is experiencing considerable growth, fuelled by the ongoing development of Scottish based companies and the continued efforts of Scottish Enterprise. Their work in providing funding, training and in supporting partnerships with overseas investors has led to a huge increase in the international profile of the Scottish Biotech industry and it's capabilities, allowing the sector to flourish in a time of overall economic uncertainty.
The effects of this growth have been considerable and companies are now having to compete for the best staff, as the overall demand for skilled scientific professionals increases. As the market develops, the variances of salary within the industry are currently higher than in many other sectors, which can be good news for job seekers with 'in demand' skills who should find themselves in a stronger bargaining position. For employers who are unable or unwilling to offer competitive salaries to their employees, life could become more difficult, as they face up to the prospect of losing staff to higher paying competitors or having to increase their own remuneration levels to prevent their employees from leaving.
2. Remuneration Levels
As the industry matures these variances should even out into a more stable employment market and at last we should see a new generation of scientists satisfied with both their job and their salary.
While providing definitive industry salary levels is always difficult, the following figures give an indication of the current levels of remuneration amongst candidates spoken to by TMP Melville Craig's Scientific team over the past few months.
MSc graduate/Lab Technician- £10,500- £16,000
PhD - c£18,000
Study Director -(supervising two lab techs)- £14,000 - £19,000
Lab Supervisor- £19,500 - £25,000
Senior Scientist- £26,000 - £negotiable
QC/QA Tech-£13,000 - £18,000
Quality Manager- £25,000- £32,000
Regulatory Affairs Officer- £26,000- £30,000
Regulatory Affairs Manager- £27,000 - £37,000(varies)
Production/Engineering Manager-£27,000- £35,000
