Living and working in a foreign country

[DaShi]

I can't say what it is like for Physics, but there is a reason many Bio post-docs from Europe come to the US. So you're probably better off staying here.

However, there are some circumstances when you should consider it:
1. Is it a step up from your current position? This is especially true, if you haven't been able to find a better position here.

2. Is the research really meaningful? Will you get published in 1-2 years? Is the PI some so of bigwhig that will make your CV glow?

3. Is there some really hot Swedish chick you want to hook up with?

With that, the only physicist I knew from Sweden, left Sweden to start his own lab in China. Not sure if that really helps, because his circumstances were certainly different.

[BlackCat]

Uppsala is a small university town. You can get around it on a bike.

Only in the summer period Winter demands either a volvo or snowmobile.

[Kitschum]

Only in the summer period Winter demands either a volvo or snowmobile.

It's true that Uppsala is practically in Finland and you need to watch out for reindeer when crossing the street, but that's no excuse to not take the bike everywhere. If there's snow you go on top of it.

[Jon Miller]

1. Is it a step up from your current position? This is especially true, if you haven't been able to find a better position here.

There are plenty of post doc positions in the US, I haven't gotten one yet but I am sure I would at some point. Obviously I need a position, I don't have one.

The pay is similar to the US, although maybe not depending on taxes/cost of living. I think many people come to the US because the US has more post docs/better pay/better positions later. I expect this position to be neutral as far as in/out of the US goes.

2. Is the research really meaningful? Will you get published in 1-2 years? Is the PI some so of bigwhig that will make your CV glow?

I think they are good position for Ice Cube. Note that I am wanting to switch fields or something, and so am not expecting to get the pick of post docs.

I also think that Ice Cube is a good place to look for new physics, but I could be wrong (KH?).

With that, the only physicist I knew from Sweden, left Sweden to start his own lab in China. Not sure if that really helps, because his circumstances were certainly different.

I am intending to return to the US in 1-2 years, and either look for a non-postdoc or postdoc position here depending on what I produce/how I feel.

JM

[Jon Miller]

Uppsala is a small university town. You can get around it on a bike.

Yeah, I was there last Sat. I don't know how it is in Winter though. Do I need a car than?

Is it easy to rent cars?

What is the cost of living like? I went out to eat at restaurants twice in the evening and they were very expensive, but maybe that isn't usual?

JM

[DaShi]

Well, I'm sure that you know all the career implications (good and bad) better than I do for this. So if it's just down to living abroad for awhile, I say go for it. The experience will be good for your own personal development and help you to see things from different angles, which I hear is a big deal in physics. Plus, there's all those blonde Swedish swimsuit models running around, if my knowledge of the country is still accurate.

[BlackCat]

It's true that Uppsala is practically in Finland and you need to watch out for reindeer when crossing the street, but that's no excuse to not take the bike everywhere. If there's snow you go on top of it.

Yeah, you are probably right, Uppsala is after all only a bit north to Stockholm.

I know Uppsala pretty well - the previous company I worked for delivered the libray system to SLU, so I have visited it several times.

[Kitschum]

Yeah, I was there last Sat. I don't know how it is in Winter though. Do I need a car than?

Is it easy to rent cars?

What is the cost of living like? I went out to eat at restaurants twice in the evening and they were very expensive, but maybe that isn't usual?

No, you don't need a car. Public transportation is enough. You are, seriously, able to get around on a bike in winter too. If not, take the bus. Since Uppsala is so quiet you will want to get into Stockholm pretty often, then hop on the train.

Restaurants are pretty expensive, as is food in general. There should be some cheaper lunch places with kebabs and Asian food, but you will get tired of those. Apart from food I assume cost of living is average for western Europe, but I would have to check for sure. I don't know what taxes you'd pay, but there might be tax breaks for foreigners.

This site might be helpful: http://www.researchinsweden.se/

[Jon Miller]

I don't really know the average western europe cost of living, as an american.

JM

[Kitschum]

I don't really know the average western europe cost of living, as an american.

JM

I don't know the costs in Uppsala exactly, but I live in a similar town. Very roughly:

Small 1 or 2 rooms apartment: 350-500+ usd / month

Food for one person one month, depending on how Spartan you live and how much you go out: 200-350+ usd

Electricity 50? (if not included in rent), broadband 40? (if not included). Bus/train pass 80?

I converted with Google, hope that's accurate.

[Jon Miller]

Is the apartment for sharing an apartment or by yourself?

What is considered spartan as far as food consumption goes? Do you mean ramen/etc?

JM

[Kitschum]

Own apartment.

No, not ramen. Comfortably, but cook most of your food yourself. I could live on 100 or less if I ate ramen.

Edit: Also alcohol is a big factor, since taxes make it very expensive.

[SpencerH]

If you're serious about an academic career then I'd argue against a post-doc in Sweden unless

1) it's a very high end position such that the prestige/publications make up for the lack of schmoozing you wont be doing with various american professors, or

2) you end up staying in Sweden (which happens fairly often).

Although I dont know the situation in Uppsala, but one thing that can be a problem for foreigners in other swedish cities is getting a decent apartment because of the waiting lists (so plan ahead if you do go).

Another point to know is that Uppsala is very dark in winter. IIRC, Stockholm had maybe 4-5 hrs of "daylight" in winter and Uppsala is north of that.

[Jon Miller]

I am actually not very good with schmoozing. Also, it isn't actually my subfield, so the academic plan would be to take this, and then 1-2 years later take a post doc in the US in this field.

Hopefully by then I will know more about particle astrophysics and can impress/schmooze/etc. However, to be honest, like a lot of nuclear/high energy physics, there are very few jobs available.

Or I will switch to applied when I come back, in which case it won't really matter.

Uppsala is about 40 minutes drive north, so probably <4 hours in winter.

JM

[Kitschum]

On the other hand, there's only 4 hours of darkness in summer, like right now.