China’s scientists overworked and underpaid compared with other professions, survey says
- Survey finds salaries are not keeping pace as top institutions focus on returning overseas talent
- Pressure to publish and lack of administrative support contributes to workload
China’s scientists are feeling the pinch, despite being at the heart of the country’s strategy to become a global powerhouse in science and technology.
While there are generous packages on offer for returning overseas Chinese scientists, the home-grown variety are feeling overworked and underpaid, according to a survey by the China Association for Science and Technology.
Xian Jiaotong University in northwest China offers young scientists an annual salary of at least 450,000 yuan (US$65,000) as well as a one-time bonus of 1 million yuan if they are deemed to be outstanding.
But the financial package comes with a clear requirement: successful applicants must be part of the “Young Thousand Talents” programme, a recruitment plan to bring overseas Chinese scientists back to the homeland.
Researchers who are not part of the talent plan can expect an annual salary of about 200,000 yuan.
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A medical biologist surnamed Liu works at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, where the Chinese college held a career fair in late October to recruit young scientists under 40.
