[a_bonobo]

>Although you're still paid poorly.

In the US, yes - in Australia postdocs get between 60k and 90k per year, with an additional 15-17% that goes into your Super (retirement account - Australia's equivalent of US' 401k). I'm a "new" post-doc in Perth with a salary of 86k p/y and my wife doesn't need to work.

But yes, so far I'm enjoying it greatly, after a few years of the constant Damocles' sword of my thesis deadline dangling over my head the freedom is great!

[Cyph0n]

Wow, that's pretty good! I'm an Australian citizen starting a PhD in the US this year, so I'll keep an eye on any postdoc openings Down Under when I'm nearing completion. But I'm kind of worried that there won't be many opportunities for the field I'm in (circuit design).

[a_bonobo]

Yes, that's my problem too - there are only very few groups that work in any given area, after this contract is over I may have to go overseas