Clinical Research Company

Eglinton

Anyone ever heard of a company called Icon Clinical? A friend of mine told me about a job with them. Does anyone know what they're like to work for? Apparently they organise clincial trials for new drugs for pharmaceutical companies. Sounds interesting. Would like to know what pay and conditions are like though.

REDZ

Yeah they are a big company, think they are listed on the Nasdaq, pay and conditions should be good, based in sandyford industrial estate.

Eglinton

Thanks for that. What do you think good pay and conditions are? For graduates in science type jobs. Considering rent in Dublin.

mountainyman

Eglinton wrote:

Considering rent in Dublin.

Why should we consider that? Pay in science is crap. 23K is probably good Graduate pay.
Icon are so so to work for, lots of office politics.
MM

chump

Hey mountain.

Science definetely isn't a well paid sector considering the work and qualifications needed (luckily I've skipped out of that town though)...

Although it is possible provided you're top notch or in a chemistry/biochemistry field to do well.

I know a few people who've gone into phD'dom in this area, and will take in about 16-18k a year tax free in grants, then after 3/4 years get a job paying 30k very minimum. (likely be much higher)

I also know one lad who started working in one of the big pharma's straight after phy degree (techy kind of job) and hours are crap (shift work, etc) but salary is mid-40 after shift allowances etc. etc.

That said know much more people who've gotten nothing out of science degrees and wish they never did them...

mountainyman

chump wrote:

Science definetely isn't a well paid sector considering the work and qualifications needed (luckily I've skipped out of that town though)...

Although it is possible provided you're top notch or in a chemistry/biochemistry field to do well.
...
I also know one lad who started working in one of the big pharma's straight after phy degree (techy kind of job) and hours are crap (shift work, etc) but salary is mid-40 after shift allowances etc. etc.

Yeah but compare the pay on offer for scientists for that with accountants. Despite the fact that scientists jobs are far more responsible and require far greater intellectual ability.

I would never reccomend anyone to study science unless they wanted to become an academic. (Except physics but you are going to end up doing programming.)

MM

Eglinton

I mentioned Dublin because salaries are usually a little higher job for job than other parts of the country. The cost of living is SIGNIFICANTLY higher. Unfortunately the types of jobs I'm looking for are predominantly in Dublin. I have a physics degree. But I'm not entering into an area where it will be applied in a major way. Most people I know with science degrees and Masters started on about 28000-34000 outside of Dublin. My own salary expectation would be about 28000 as long as there are career prospects. You're right about accountancy. P1ss easy job and loads of money. But who'd actually want to be one? I'd prefer to get recognition for my own efforts. I've spent quite a few years on Uni now and the least I would expect is to be on a comparable salary of my peers who didn't go into further study. Just seems fair to me. The services sector (tax, accounts, consultancy) are really creaming it. And actually do very little of benefit. Annoys me greatly.

BTW, Mountainyman, do know anything else about Icon? Promotional prospects etc?

chump

mountainyman wrote:

Yeah but compare the pay on offer for scientists for that with accountants. Despite the fact that scientists jobs are far more responsible and require far greater intellectual ability.

Well I did a phy degree and am now in accounting.
Accounting is definetely 'easier' on the brain but what isn't?

Scientists jobs at a low level certainly do not require far more responsibility and greater intellectual ability, as at that level it is monkey work.
To do R&D stuff you need a phD.
And salary wise you can't really comepare.

Science undergrad degree: 3-4 years, PhD 3-4 years earning 16k no tax
Accounting underrad degree: 3-4years, trainee in company minimum 3years earning as little as 12k a year

On qualification a phD'er min. 30k... up to 50+
An accountant qualified (depending on work experience) 30-55k

Tis not a world of difference

The real difference is, most monkeys can pass an acconting/business degree and train as accountant.
Only the top tier can do well in science degrees and get 'good' phD's with grants.

Eglinton

chump wrote:

On qualification a phD'er min. 30k... up to 50+
An accountant qualified (depending on work experience) 30-55k

Tis not a world of difference

The real difference is, most monkeys can pass an acconting/business degree and train as accountant.
Only the top tier can do well in science degrees and get 'good' phD's with grants.

Yup, have to agree with you on all fronts. The real issue is gaining experience. We've all proven ourselves academically. Good starting point. And a good science degree will always be regarded as superior to run of the mill business courses. Combine a science/engineering/IT type degree with experience and maybe an MBA and you're sorted.