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Originally Posted by ayujob

For a one way trip, Lonza should take like around 30min more than A*star. I'm pretty much okay with travelling time and am really prioritizing on the prospects instead here. Because of the shift work, my travelling time to Lonza on average is less than A*star since technically I work much lesser days in Lonza than A*star. I really want to work in a company where there is a ladder to climb instead of some positions whereby promotions are determined by academic qualifications.

I think you are right on the part about not showing up on first day of work but I am definitely not doing that as I would really mess up the whole situation. Thus, I have stalled A*star on the contract signing and will try to explain my situation to Lonza during the interview to request for offer asap if they accept me. My friend actually did the same thing in Lonza and he got an offer the next day after the interview.

Thank you once again for your input, I'm in a really weird situation right now because of my own fault but hopefully I will be able to get the Lonza job and smoothen things out.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Seems like you have set your mind on Lonza (if offered), and either way has pros and cons.

Just curious, what's the travel time like between your home and Lonza vs Astar? Because I think travelling time should be put into consideration as well.

As to stalling the signing of contract, sorry I have no advise on that. I've read that after signing, if you do not show up on the 1st day, you are by right still not bonded by the contract. Not sure how accurate this is but nonetheless, I don't think you would want to try it.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi,

just to share my 2cents.

I started working in Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Feb 2002 as a Management trainee after graduating overseas. Working hours are pretty standard from 8.30am - 5.30pm but work life as management trainee sucks big time as I need to attend 3 management meetings per week and minutes taking is really time consuming and tedious.

After 5 months, I throw in the towel and moved on to a hands-on engineer role in A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. The pay increment in A*STAR is pathetic at the time of post-911 and SARS. Bonuses are generally not that fantastic, typically with the good performers getting the most 1.75 months bonus. You will receive your usual 13th month AWS. After staying for 3 years and 2 months, I move on to teach in a polytechnic and my pay jump as public service tends to tag your pay according to years of experience + NS.

Since then, I have made my tours in govt agencies and govt linked company and after 10 years, i decide to move out into the private sector. My monthly basic salary has went up as much as 35% (based on last drawn salary in govt) after 2.5 years of private sector work life.

My advise to you is to take on the A*STAR role and used that Research officer role as a stepping stone to move out to something different after 3 years or so.

Originally Posted by ayujob

If you dont mind, may I ask what job are you currently doing right now? I'm also hoping to shift out of life science.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My advise is to accept the current offer too, because you'll never know if Lonza will give you an offer. Only when Lonza offers you a position, then you decide on your next move.

Is the condition at NCC really bad such that you're considering to leave after 6 months? Because if NCC is your first job, my advise is to stay a year or 2 at least, else you'll look like a job hopper.

Considering long term, my advise is to try to shift out of life sciences/biotechnology. Because it is true what they say, without a PhD, you cannot go far. Plus the industry does not pay very well compared to other industries. I'm a life science graduate myself.