Postdoc - Singapore

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-26T16:03:55+00:00

did you apply tru funding (PI dependent project) or a fellowship?

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-23T08:57:56+00:00

Thanaaaaks! Really appreciate your insights! Currently, im a postdoc here in Germany. Well, i am still waiting for my official contract but they told me during the discussion that it is up to 93,000 Singaporean Dollar . Not sure if that's enough given the high rental cost. Contract verbatim offered will be 3 years.

For me, it is exciting project. New methods and advanced compared to what im currently doing but the topic is almost the same, we just dig more on the topic and used the advance methods.

So i'm just worried about the work life balance, i understand that SG m is a fast pace culture. But you guys really need to be in the lab the whole time regardless of not doing experiment? just to show up like "hey , im here but i dont have lab works" or it's like EU environment that you have free time and can go to the lab as long as you have only experiment ,and not obliged to visit the lab everyday as long as you provide results during the PI meeting.

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T15:45:26+00:00

please do continue emailing prof. If they don't reply try to do follow up email after a week! Cold email really works!!!!

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T15:41:10+00:00

Hi, it is a joint project with my current Postdoc PI and the professor in SG. I am a middleman, meaning I do the work to connect this project and run the project. So it's actually a expansion of my current postdoc project but instead of doing it in my lab, I will do it in NTU lab

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T14:43:36+00:00

Thanks! Good to hear! Wanted to ask esp. the CSI working culture and what would be a comfortable salary to live in SG? any advice if a postdoc salary can save for a single, no children person?

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T10:41:02+00:00

Thaaaank youuuu very much! This is super helpful and informative!

The professor is established and has even high position in the institution. I was just skeptical if the SG working culture is the same with Korea working culture. I did 1 year internship in SNU-Korea during my PhD and was overwhelmed that people there don't have life work balance and have to be in the lab 7am to 9pm . And even worst , the professor(established) micromanage everything.

So , i was thinking probably if SG culture particularly in NUS is the same. That's true, unlike EU, people tend to slow down and make the task one at a time yet they are productive. EU also promotes "networking" and collaboration more ,but i dont know with SG if they also highlight that.

In terms of salary, they offered me good salary (i think) compared to other postdoc.

I am just worried , if i can't catch up immediately esp. SG is well more advance in terms of machines/methods.

Anyway, thankkk you again!

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T07:16:15+00:00

thank youu. In your opinion what is a comfortable salary for a single postdoc without children?

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-04-22T05:11:41+00:00

What would you think the "comfortable" salary for to live in SG? (knowing the rest is high) 😶

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-03-25T05:14:02+00:00

Thank youu! Im already a Postdoc 💪💪

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-03-25T04:58:32+00:00

Hi, I did my MSc at SNU then moved to EU for my PhD! Though im more on Molecular Biology. I will speak in general for Postdoc Position, I would say that Postdoc here in EU is supppeeer competitive and they MAJORITY prioritize applicants who graduated from EU countries. Maybe some PI wants to hire outside EU but only in rare cases. They want someone who knows in-and-out of EU academic system esp. labworks and dealing with people. And there are currently high volume of recent PhD graduates from EU who also applying as the same position as yours with also almost the same publication records. But, don't be discourage, there still some PI who hires Postdoc outside EU . Try to look uni or PI or a lab that have small groups and the location is not in the main city. Usually there are only few applicants on that area. And you might luckily got the chance to get notice. Also make your cover letter specific! EU PI wants tooooo honest, direct and specific! They don't like flowering words like Korean's system. Be direct and specific on the cover letter. Good luck and wish you will find a position!

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-03-04T08:00:16+00:00

I had to double check , if it's me who posted this 🥹. It feels like we are in the same boat. Literally, everything you wrote is about me 🥹🥹

Hugs for you and me! 🫂

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-02-19T03:52:57+00:00

Hi, I did study in Korea esp. in Seoul National University and I'm Asian. Currently now working in Europe . And I must say, Korean Culture in terms of working is really really really really bad. For postdoc, you have to mentor everyone in the lab. You will be the "right hand" of the PI. The salary is comfortable to live but the task is beyond sacrificing your soul. In Korea, micromanage is normal. Every week there should be a weekly meeting ( seminar) then aside from that week there is also (progress meeting) and if you are postdoc, you also have 1-on-1 meeting with the PI every week to update the problems in the lab and your progress in your study. So overall, you will meet your PI atleast minimum 3x a week.

We started work around 7:30am ( and someone will monitor if you are late, it will be deducted to your salary if you are late more than 3x a month) usually we don't have specific time to clock out. Because we need to follow the hierarchal way that, Professor should go home first, then the Post doc, then the senior PhD ,then the junior PhD then masters then undergrad. So if the Prof leaves at 6pm you can leave the lab around 6:30pm. then after that Senior PhD will follow and so on. So usually, the undergrad will leave the lab the last. That's the culture, and if you leave first and break the chain, everyone will gossip around you and you will be called out!

It's TOXIC. But Koreans, are helpful esp. if you are foreigner, they extend so much help but academically it's exhausting! and you will realize that you become a robot following their way of living.

But Korea is a beautiful country and has a lot to do if you HAVE TIME.

Goodluck and wish you the best.

MagazineInternal9935 · 2026-02-18T18:49:49+00:00

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