Nerdy Science Blog

Just realize that Jobstreet has a feature call salary report, data are generated through their jobseekers’ database.

Interestingly, the report also included Research Assistant (RA) position. I am personally do not consider RAs involve in institutional research centers a real job; in Malaysia, it’s rather a transitional positions for graduate students under a supervisor and funded by a research grant before official registration as a MSc/PhD candidates. The bond duration can be months to year(s), depending on agreement between the graduate and his/her supervisor. Due to research’s budget constrains, payments are always expected low, average of RM1500/mth. Perhaps lower.

The highest salary for a RA I ever encounter so far was RM2000/mth; whereas the lowest was RM400/mth

I heard cases where, some biological/medical researchers hire trusted Medical Laboratory Technologies (MLT) which usually have less than BSc degree, i.e., diploma level as permanent Research Assistants to ensure continue flow of research’s work. But as a permanent position, the pays are usually higher and reasonable, average of RM2000/mth.

But this seldom happen because of the need of assurance of continue flowing of research grant, not much of the researchers can actually assure that.

Governments institution such as hospital, also hired RA on contract basis for duration of 1~2 years. I am personally don’t have much idea why some with no intention to pursue higher degree choose to work as RA under government institution, as contract basis RA position usually do not receive full benefits like confirm government stuffs, their salaries also relatively low, average of RM1500/mth.

Waiting for a suitable government job opening perhaps.

In private sectors, they usually offer a full-time Laboratory Technicians position rather a RA position. They perform routine lab work most of the time, not much research involve as far as I concern. Normal market price for a fresh grad is RM1800/mth, however, from personal experiences and conversations, I realize that Biological Laboratory Technicians are always <RM1800/mth.

Science technicians seem to be generally low income, regardless government sectors or privates.

Now let the figures do some talking.

Prices are hiking and the salaries of RA, Laboratory Technicians, Medical Laboratory Technicians and other position with almost same functionality were never reviewed. A friend of mine who used to work as RA ten years back think that RM1500 is big, and he manage to do his saving and have his cassettes collection at the same time; friends of mine who are receiving RM1500/mth as a RA are suffering with tight budgets, which also apply to Laboratory Technologies who are receiving barely one or two hundreds more.

“We are cheap professional labor,” I once sigh. “yet labor rule does not apply to us.”

Yes, as a dedicated Research Assistants, you are not suppose to aware of Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. Paid with nuts, yet Labor rule which stated that Labor shouldn’t work over limit does not apply to us.

Sciences are priceless. Science workers (M’sia) are price-less.

Ironic.