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Telecommunications researcher : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
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Case studies

  • Salaries vary according to whether you work in the private sector or within academia.
  • The minimum stipend paid to Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)  funded students undertaking PhD studentships is £13,590 (for the academic year 2010/11). Stipends are paid to students to cover their living expenses (fees are paid separately to the stipend). 
  • Typical starting salaries for researchers in industry: £29,000.
  • Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience within academia: £35,000 - £55,000. There is a national pay spine for jobs in universities. See the University and College Union (UCU)  website for details. How this is implemented varies locally but should ensure annual increments.
  • Higher salaries reflect additional responsibilities including management, teaching and supervisory activities.
  • Where salary is dependent upon securing project funding, there may be conditions attached, which may include nationality restrictions and meeting deadlines.
  • Working hours are generally flexible and within traditional office hours. Evening or weekend working is rare, although work hours may be longer when there are deadlines or when attending a conference.
  • The majority of telecommunications researchers work in offices.
  • Laboratory work is sometimes required, although this is limited and will depend on the nature of research and facilities available.
  • Due to the way in which research is funded, there are very few permanent research posts; most are offered as fixed-term contracts. Competition for the permanent roles that do exist is therefore fierce.
  • Jobs are based throughout the UK, although may be more numerous around university towns or industrial areas. There are also international opportunities.
  • Overseas travel is possible, particularly if working in the commercial sector. Many of the companies involved have their headquarters in other countries but maintain their research facilities in the UK.
  • Many universities work in partnership with overseas businesses or universities, but this varies depending on the organisation and the projects undertaken. There are also opportunities to travel overseas to attend conferences, either as a delegate or to present a paper.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
November 2010
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