If universities switched to a timecard format, some PIs may be tempted to pressure their postdocs to only work forty hours a week or only report forty hours on their timecard despite actually working more. Biomedical research doesn’t fit into a neat forty-hour-per-week time scale.
Of course, all good things come with some consequences. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (which many universities base their postdoctoral salaries on) will be receiving increased pay as well. Postdocs receiving funds from postdoc-specific grants such as the Ruth L. Overall, schools will have two options: have postdocs fill out timesheets and pay overtime hours accordingly, or bump up their base salaries to the new level. This includes the nearly forty thousand postdoctoral researchers in academia who are funded on NIH grants. A new overtime rule put forth by the Department of Labor, which goes into effect on December 1st of this year, requires that full-time salaried employees who make under $47,476 a year become eligible for overtime pay (up from the previous threshold of $23,660). The question is: why wouldn’t we look to industry positions, non-academic postdocs, or other career options that either pay significantly more or at least allow us a more flexible work schedule with no unpaid overtime hours? Here’s the good news-postdocs in academia are getting a raise. Not only is that a pretty low number, especially considering the cost of living in many major metropolitan areas, but the hours postdocs put in on nights and weekends do not qualify for overtime pay.
The NIH minimum funding requirements for postdocs in the 2016 fiscal year starts at only $43,692 a year. Based on the academic postdocs I know, the position is essentially Graduate School Part II that requires even more time in the lab and more responsibility with only a minor increase in salary. Frankly, one of the many reasons graduates are shying away from the traditional academic postdoc position is due to salary. After graduation, our vast experience, including years of higher education, hard work, and proven dedication to science (while earning a rather meager stipend), should be rewarded with higher pay. A love of science alone cannot keep hungry mouths fed and a roof over our heads. If you find the subject distasteful, look away now! Let’s be honest: at the very least, we all wish to earn a living wage to support ourselves and our families.
For better or for worse, in America, talking about how much money you make is taboo.