#CareerAdvice #JobOffers #ResearchCareer #SalaryComparison
Hey there! It sounds like you have some great job offers on the table, but you’re struggling to make a decision. Don’t worry, this is a common dilemma, and I’m here to help you weigh the pros and cons of each opportunity.
First off, it’s important to consider the salary comparison between the two offers. On one hand, you have a postdoc position in Valencia, Spain with a salary of 48k €, which is competitive within the Spanish standards. On the other hand, you have a job offer in Luxembourg with a significantly higher salary of 70k €. It’s understandable that the financial aspect is a major factor in your decision-making process, especially considering your previous salary and the potential downgrade if you were to choose the Spanish opportunity.
When it comes to salary, it’s essential to consider not only the immediate financial benefit but also the long-term potential for career growth and advancement. Take into account the opportunities for professional development, networking, and potential promotions that each offer may provide. For example, the Spanish position involves collaborating with a well-known firm in your domain, and there’s a possibility for it to lead to a permanent position with the company. On the other hand, the Luxembourg research center may offer unique prospects for research projects and potential career advancements within the organization. Consider which opportunity aligns best with your long-term career goals and aspirations.
In addition to the financial aspect, it’s important to assess the work environment and the potential impact on your well-being. You mentioned that you’ve been living in the north of Europe for the past few years and have a strong dislike for cold and bad weather. Consider how the location of each job offer may affect your overall happiness and quality of life. For example, Valencia, Spain is known for its warm climate and vibrant culture, which may align better with your preferences for a favorable living environment. On the other hand, Luxembourg may offer proximity to family and friends, but the weather may not be ideal for you.
It’s clear that both opportunities have their unique advantages and challenges. Considering the feedback you’ve shared about the recruitment process for each position, it’s important to factor in the level of support and enthusiasm you’ve received from the respective teams. The fact that the professor in Valencia is actively advocating for your onboarding and sees potential in you is a strong indicator of support and mentorship within that environment. On the other hand, the prolonged and possibly indecisive recruitment process in Luxembourg may raise some concerns about the team dynamics and communication within that research center.
Now, let’s discuss some pointers to help you navigate this decision:
1. Consider your long-term career goals: Evaluate which opportunity aligns best with your professional ambitions and the potential for career growth and advancement.
2. Assess the work environment and location: Take into account the impact of the location and work dynamic on your overall well-being and quality of life.
3. Evaluate the level of support and enthusiasm: Consider the level of support and mentorship you’ve received from the respective teams and assess how it may contribute to your professional development.
Ultimately, your decision should be based on a combination of financial considerations, career advancement prospects, and personal well-being. It’s crucial to weigh the short-term benefits of salary against the long-term potential for career growth and the impact on your overall happiness and satisfaction with the work environment.
In conclusion, it’s understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure about which job offer to choose, especially given your past experiences with career decisions. However, I hope that these insights and considerations will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your career and personal aspirations. Remember, it’s okay to take your time to carefully weigh the options and make the best choice for yourself. Good luck with your decision, and I hope that you find fulfillment and success in your future endeavors! 🌟
I hope that was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions or need further assistance.
Go for Spain, sounds much better and you already have a good comunication with the prof which is a plus. That amount looks fair enough for Spain, and the weather and environment will make you much happy.
From a financial perspective cost of living is significantly higher in Luxembourg – rent is almost twice as much! So don’t put too much thought into the salary
Go to Spain! Enjoy the beaches!
A 50k salary in Valencia is mucho higher than a 70K in lux.
Spain I Think
50k in Spain goes a longer way than 75k in Luxembourg.
Spain. 48k is a pretty good salary there and Valencia is an amazing city, great weather, food and proximity to the beach. You’ll live a very good life there and the job sounds like a solid choice too. 10/10.
I know a few of people who have worked in Luxembourg and none speak of it with any particular fondness.
What kind of research are you going to pursuit?
Forget about the salary: think about this next step as positioning yourself for an academic or R&D career.
Which one of the two jobs will have a higher impact on your career?
Man, 50k salary is good in most of Europe, but then add to the fact living in SPAIN?!
Valencia, 100%. Fuck, even for 100k euros I would **still** choose 48k in Spain.
Thank you all for sharing your opinion! I’m more confident with my decision now.
Hello. I am a Luxembourg national. There are not many of us. It’s amazing benefits wise, probably the country with the best benefits for its people in Europe.
The weather however is not great. I wouldn’t have wanted to be raised in any other country. The safety nets in place turned my life around when I had troubles. I speak 5 languages due to the education system.
as an american i would kill for either of these job offers
but also im a dude. i think at 30f you should be at home with 1 or 2 babies
I had to switch to a throwaway to post this just because it’s specific but I feel actually qualified to answer this as someone who lives in spain and has close family in Luxembourg.
Lux definitely has a much higher COL and you will feel it. Spain on that salary will be comfortable, even if you are single but if you find a partner who also works even better. You will find somehow your salary goes further than you expect even if you are paying €1000/month in rent. Eating out here is cheap, there’s barely any tax on alcohol so that’s cheap too. You’ll be comfortable on that salary for sure and even be able to save.
Lux even on 70k might be a bit tougher especially if you are single. However the social benefits are crazy good and if you want to stay and have a family the education system is incredible there. Child benefits are also second to none. Your ceiling for earnings will be higher there as well since salaries in general are higher.
Spain your main risk is if you lose your job. Unemployment here is high. But in tech there are hubs popping up around the country particularly in the south so you might be okay especially if you’re specialised, but I’d look at the market in general for your particular career.
Also for housing, spain is kind of annoying. A lot of landlords are paranoid about being cheated and want mountains of proof from you about your income and reliability. Some will even refuse to rent to you because you don’t have 2 months of Spanish pay slips already (yes they have to specifically be Spanish ones). If you can find a more relaxed landlord you will be fine but the search will be stressful. Once you are here though getting residency will be easy on your income, apply as soon as you can since the deadlines are quite short and the bureaucracy is slow.
Speaking of which, bureaucracy in both countries is frustrating. You need to do a lot of research regardless of which you pick as to what rules you might need to follow. You will need to do a lot of paperwork when you are starting out. Also as a recommendation try to go to the offices instead of trying to sort things over the phone or internet. Particularly in Spain there is a huge issue with sorting out paperwork online as often half the systems don’t exist or don’t work properly. Hire someone to help you who speaks the language natively until you can learn, but go physically to the offices to get things done, it will be quicker in the long run.
I hope this was helpful! Feel free to PM if you want more info