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[puzzled in the UK]

I am a full professor in the US, and am about to be interviewed for a professorship in a UK university. I was warned by a friend in the department that, since they really want me, I will be asked to mention what salary I am going to need to move to the UK and accept the position. Now, I have some experience with negotiations in the US, but none in the UK; furthermore, I have find these things very awkward. What should I say? Obviously, I don't want to mention a figure that is lower than what they would pay; but since I like the place, I would also not want to name one that is much too high, causing them not to give me an offer.

Ideally of course I would like to ask for the maximum they are willing to pay me; but I have no way of knowing what that is.

Is this kind of things common in the UK? I will be grateful for any helpful advice.

[sidey]

In terms of full professorships, the game has recently changed in the UK.

Once upon a time, in the simple old days before the RAE, professors in most fields used to get paid about the same as each other.  Now, in the brave new world of headhunting and departmental CV padding, all the cards are now up in the air, and there have been some huge salaries being splashed around to attract the stars.  

If you are such, and they want you, then I'd aim high, especially if the place in question is one of the more aggressive recruiters of recent years.

In terms of what salary, it would depend on the field, and the university.  Perhaps sound out any contacts you have at senior level in your field in the UK and find out what the going rate is: the rumour mill always knows these things.... or at least it thinks it does.

[working in the UK]

These days there is a lot of variability; departments are scrambling to hire to get ready for the RAE. As sidey says, it depends a lot on the field, the university, and how famous you are; however, you might still be able to get quite a bit more than the going rate even if you are not a superstar, by one of the universities that have the resources to recruite aggressively. You hear some astounding salaries being offered.

The base salary would be 45,000 pounds per year, but you should ask for a lot more. A professor in a "hot" field, such as medicine, might be hired at 100,000 pounds per year or more. In my field (theoretical physics) 80,000 would be considered good; and you might be able to get more if you are a star. But some universities might not be willing to much above 60,000.

I would not be afraid to ask for a lot, as long you make it clear that there is room for negotiation.

[Unhelpful]

Puzzled - check this out:

http://www.thes.co.uk/current_edition/story.aspx?story_id=2025085

[puzzled in the UK]

Thanks a lot to all three, this is helpful. I'll ask for a lot of money then (imagine my eyes twinkling with greed).

[late entry!]

Still worth remembering that the salaries will vary regionally.  The really high figures quoted earlier are going to be more possible in London/Oxford/Cambridge circles - so if you don't want to price yourself out of the job check out the going rates on the Guardian website:
www.guardian.co.uk
Click on the jobs section and then have a browse through education - looking specifically at your area.  That should give you a really accurate indication of what people are paying at the moment.  Good luck!

[%sig%]

[Unhelpful]

Remember too however that the areas cited by "late entry" are those with the highest housing prices, and that even in other areas, housing costs are very high in relation to average earnings.

The BBC website has good information on regional housing costs.

[alison]

Also, you would be unwise to buy a house in the UK, since prices are high right now but might not be a year ahead.
I suggest that you rent.
I am also amazed at such high salaries - what is going on? No lecturer that I know earns above twenty four grand. True, we're in the North of England, but hey...say what...???

[science expat]

You might also try the Times Higher Education supplement (www.thes.co.uk) and the Association of University Teachers (www.aut.org.uk). They all give some indication about salaries, for example the mean salary and the number earning > 50k, 100k, etc...

I'm guessing that alison is at a college or a former polytechnic - I know the mean salary at my institution is about $35k.

[working the UK]

late entry! wrote:

> Still worth remembering that the salaries will vary regionally.
>  The really high figures quoted earlier are going to be more
> possible in London/Oxford/Cambridge circles - so if you don't
> want to price yourself out of the job check out the going rates
> on the Guardian website:

Some places in Northern England and even in Scotland are now paying high salaries to new professors who are supposed to help raise the RAE mark of the department. If puzzled is a leading researcher from an esteemed university in the US he should be able to ask for a considerable amount. How much, that depends a lot on the field, and also on the location, of course.

[to alison]

If you read the original post again, you'll see the question is about salary for a full professor, where the dept particularly wants him/her. That is quite a different league from an average lecturer.

[Also]

The UK is unbelievably expensive.  I suggest you think of the most astounding prices you can possibly imagine as an American, and then double them.  Also, not only is housing expensive, but the housing stock is of poor quality.  Restaurant meals are also expensive and also of poor quality.  Cars are also expensive and also of poor quality.  

I think I see a pattern here.

[science expat]

I don't agree. I've been here 11 years and when I first came things cost about the same here in pounds as they do in dollars in the US. But the gap has closed substantially and electronics, for example, aren't much different in real price.

I bought a house 10 years ago on a 95% mortgage that I will pay off in 3 or 4 years. (Although housing prices have admittedly soared since). As a single person at the bottom of the senior lecturer scale I find that my disposal income is sufficient for my needs (but big cities would be much more expensive).

For me, the issue is quality of life. I don't know how representative are the posting on these fora but they don't motivate me to go back to the States. In my institution at least, the bureaucracy is fairly flexible and they recognize good work when they see it.

[Also]

I guess then eat, drive, and live in electronics.  I lived and taught there and prices, housing costs in particular, and terrible awful crappy depressing weather, and overcrowding drove me out.  YMMV.

[science expat]

Where were you and how long ago? It makes all the difference. I love it where I am and have no desire to go back to the States. (And yes, the weather is crap but it means you appreciate the good days when you have them).