Postdoc Research in Ottawa: Financial compensation and lifestyle

[iNcorruptible]

Hey all,

I'm a soon to be IMG and got a position as postdoc fellow doing basic science research at the University of Ottawa, with a stipend of $25,000 for two years.

I have two questions I hope you can answer.
1. Do I have to pay taxes out of the stipend ?
2. Is $25,000 an appropriate sum of money for the job ?
3. Is $25,000 enough to live properly in a place like Ottawa (I have no idea of the costs of living)

Thanks !

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[docbill]

1. Do I have to pay taxes out of the stipend ?

Yes I believe you do have to pay taxes on that earning. Students don't have to, but as of a year ago post-docs do. However it is such a small amount, I don't think your taxes will be high.

2. Is $25,000 an appropriate sum of money for the job ?

Which field are you going in to? Medical research basic science. You are getting ripped off. The least they should offer a post-doc is 30k but the standard normally is (especially in places where cost of living is high, ie. Toronto and Vancouver) is 36K. But this again depends on how good you are and if you have experience. If you are coming with no experience... then you are lucky you got a post-doc offer. You may want to consider doing a MSc instead.

If you have previous experience, i.e. graduate degree MSc or PhD I would imagine you can get much more. I (with my background) would not do a post-doc for less than 40k. And if I bring in my own funding (through CIHR or alike) I would ask for 14-20K top up, but my background and training is much different than yours.

3. Is $25,000 enough to live properly in a place like Ottawa (I have no idea of the costs of living)

You can make ends meet in Ottawa if you are single (without dependence). I don't think you can get a car, so get use to public transport.
2k/month with about 1000$ going to living and expenses associated with it.

 

[iNcorruptible]

Well actually, I have to mention that I have no experience in basic science research, I have a B.S in Biology and an M.D. However I will be undertaking 3 months training (at my expenses) before leaving for the post-doc position.

I'm hoping maybe I could also do some work in clinical research, but I don't know if time actually would give me that opportunity.

Again, thanks for the input !

 

[ransak]

I think you need graduate level degree first, dont you agree with me? Money is less, but if you do not have option, get on with this research and get an MSc out of it if it is possible. You can live with this kind of money but as our collegue mentioned, it will be tight!

 

[iNcorruptible]

Is there any advantage to doing an MSc while I already have an M.D ?
Do MSc students get a stipend ? Do they have to pay a tuition ?

I'm looking at my experience in research as an opportunity to publish, get the Canadian Permanent Resident Card, and finish up my USMLE, MCCEE. After a year or two, if I enjoyed life in Canada and I get a good residency I might continue over there. Otherwise I will go for a U.S residency.

 

[docbill]

One doesn't need a Graduate degree to do a post-doc.. as long as they have an MD or equivalent.

I would not worry too much about bringing up the MSc idea to your prof yet. Wait a year and see how things go with preparing for exams and the regulations. MSc student will get a payed and pay tuition. You will probably make less.

You can even do a PhD with a previous MD degree... but beware this will be harder and suck all your energy dry. I would just concentrate on getting a residency.

 

[iNcorruptible]

Hey docbill hope you're doing fine.

My professor proposed that I do a Msc, but as you said I prefer focusing on the residency. Today I turned down my acceptance to the Internal Medicine residency program at AUBMC.
That's it ! I'm on my way to Canada then !

 

[docbill]

Yeah no use in starting IM at AUBMC if you plan on moving away.. since it won't be recognized and you will have to start all over again.

MSc is okay and will help you in the long run... even if you don't want to become a scientist. Some Universities require an MSc in order to teach as an MD. UofO should be okay for MSc. It is not as competitive and demanding as Toronto or McGill. So you should be able to finish it in 2 years.

I guess if your prof is willing to offer you the same salary, it could be a good idea. Maybe propose that you would start on a project and by January you guys can decide if you should do an MSc, using that project that you started on. That way either way you don't lose time and can finish your degree in little time. The goal of an MSc is to get one article (not necessary high impact factor). So as long as you do that and meet the course requirements (make sure those are minimal) than you should not have any trouble.

 

[docbill]

You need to stay in country for 2/5 years to maintain your residency, or 3 years in a row to apply for citizenship (which just for the record, I don't think one should get their passport and run off.. .I think the citizen requirement should be extended to 5 years).

So what I am trying to say is 2 years goes by fast. Maybe get married and have a child while life is more relaxed (grad school). Otherwise once residency starts it would be more difficult.