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[anonuk]

I am currently in the US, and a British university (with a strong international reputation), great in my field, is about to recruit me at the full professor level. I understand that there is no tenure in the UK, but should I expect to be hired for a "probationary term" even if the offer is at the full professor level? Is that negotiable?
Also, the hiring procedure seems to be different: In the US, I am used to just be given an offer that can then be negotiated. Now the negotiations are supposed to be before the written offer is provided.
Now to my problem: I have NO idea what is negotiable and what to expect.
What level of salary could I expect relative to the US? I am in a very highly paid field in the US (say accounting). Is salary negotiable? The position is in London, so money will certainly be an issue.
What should I expect in terms of taxes? Retirement funds? Possible private health insurance (does one have to qualify through some medical exam)? I hear that the NHS is not ideal.
Sorry for all these questions!! I really like the position, but dread the negotiation part, especially since I go into it with "blind eyes".

[gringo_gus]

I am not a professor, so can't answer all your questions. But - as I understand it Professors salaries start at off the scale, ie around £50 -55 k; but really you are negotiating blind beyond this. If you are in a top school in London eg LSE or LBS and you are say a Business Prof, then ask for a top top figure. I seem to recall for instance a survey showing average salaries at LBS were in the £100k region  Don't be afraid to make a play of the London costs (ask for "relocation help"). Most Universities Pension wise contribute to something called USS, with you paying in about 7% of your salary on top. Each year of paying in gives you an entitlement of an eightieth of your final salary, the idea being if you work for 40 years you retire on half your final salary. If you are not gonna be here long that might not sound good, but you can buy "extra years" and the scheme (similar to what would be called "defined benefits" is seen as good here.)

Some places offer health insurance. We love the NHS, but you may be happier buying private health insurance. Some, eg the leading insurer BUPA (dot co dot uk) claim to offer discount for academics.

Other things to negotiate - secretarial administrative support, teaching (number of hours, loading), and in particular sabbaticals/study leave...


Sorry thats all I can offer, but good luck and welcome to England if you make it. We like Americans, believe it or not.

[expatinuk]

I am a professor in the UK, but I was promoted to that level while here. There was *some* negotiation when I was promoted, I got more money than the folks who were promoted from SL to Professor, because I was promoted from Reader to Professor...

No matter what level you're hired in I'm pretty sure you will have to undergo a probationary period. This is because getting rid of someone in the UK/Europe is a long and involved process and involves employment tribunials, and ultimately paying off the person. If they hire you, and you turn out to be a real w*anker, they need the opportunity to get rid of you without having to go through the employment tribunial stuff.

Don't worry... it's not like a tenure review. It's more of a 'you didn't shoot the V-C or sleep with students' type of thing. And I'm not too sure that they would get rid of you for doing either of the above.

Good luck.

[realbusacad]

At lecturer/senior lecturer/reader levels you're stuck on a nationally agreed salary scale with maybe £2k-£3k london allowance. At prof/chair level EVERYTHING  changes in UK. Most places state professorial minimum (top of reader scale) as I think £45k. In business, in (say) accounting, it's all up for grabs. £100k for chair at top R1 in accounting/marketing/straegy is not unusual IF you've got the very best publications. Last LBS big hit recruitment they were offering £200k.

Negotiations - Teaching can be reduced (but usually not totally cancelled out - aim for 40-50 hours contact time per year absolute max), some research start-up money (say £5-10k to spend at your discretion). Nice office/computer are usually a given at that level.

This close to the RAE if you have got top, top publications, asking for a shoulder massage from the dean once a week has a 50:50 chance of being approved.

[coston]

I too am looking for a job in London after having taught at Kingston University.  Since every cost is double in uk favor I would ask for a computer, start-up research funds, moving expenses, and for a full professor no less than 50.000 ponds for a 9 month contract, eligibility for teaching summer school.  Kingston has some great houses for rent.  We rented a fully furnished first floor for a year for 800 pounds.  GREAT!!  it was 20 minutes by train to central London and 3 blocks from the grocery store.  We used bicycles to get to the stores and work. 

[anonuk]

Thanks for all the comments so far! Some of you were right on with the salary in the 100k region. Effectively, I do think it will amount to a drop in net wages... What are the average deductions at that level (counting health, retirement etc)? Ie what is the amount I can expect to take home?
If I move out into the "suburbs" and commute by train, are costs still double relative to the US?
Still doing research, as this would be a great fit for me on many levels.

[realbusacad]

If you stick "inland revenue" into google you'll end up on the tax website.

Two main deductions:
Income Tax (called PAYE - pay as you earn) - over about £33k/yr is 40%
National Insurance (NI - covers healthcare) - can't remeber amounts but not huge

Also, you may be eligible to join the University Superannuation Scheme (national pension scheme for academics) - you pay 6.35% salary in and employer matches with about 14%. complete 25 years service and you can retire on half final salary, 40yrs you get two thirds. lower amounts for lower length of contributions (stick USS into google). This may change soon - they're discussing not allowing new entrants to join on these terms as fund is in trouble.

Depending on what you pay, between a third to a half of your income will be deducted overall. You are then entitled to join the rest of us in complaining that all our hard earned money is being wasted on work shy scoungers, asylum seekers and that idiot blair.