A Contract Researcher's Life

David Perrey at Chemical Space says that working a contract position at a non-profit research institute is much like his former, full-time research gig, though the salary and benefits are different. "I am paid hourly now ... so hours count," Perrey says. "And if I am not at work, I don't get paid." While overtime is an option, he says it's one that must be agreed upon in advance. As a temporary employee, Perrey also says his "benefits are another big difference," as they are arranged and administered by his contract employment agency rather than by the institute where he works. "They are not in business to offer long vacations and comprehensive insurance plans," he says of the agency, though he adds that his benefits are "enough to get by" on. Overall, Perrey says doing research as a temporary employee is very similar to doing it as a full-time one, "but it is in the perks and especially the benefits that a contractor feels different." As for job secutiry, Perrey says that "in some ways, knowing that your contract is up in six months is greater certainty than some of the permanent employees I have met have."