How to negotiate an academic job offer

Negotiating offers for academic positions is normal and expected. However, there is a tendency for junior scholars or those who have been on the adjunct/sessional market for a period to be hesitant about negotiating. They may fear that offers will cancel be rescinded on them but are not aware that negotiations are possible.

Below are some frequently asked questions that demonstrate what you can negotiate and why negotiations are crucial for your academic career.

When do I negotiate?

Usually, negotiating when you have a written offer is what employers will prefer. It is strongly recommended to avoid negotiating during interviews. You want to wait for the employer to give you a written offer first before they hear your expectations to decrease bias and increase the chances of getting an offer in the first place. 

What can I negotiate?

Although salary is a major negotiable item, it is only one of the items you can negotiate. The basis of negotiations depends on the position's field, its requirements and whether the position is research-focused, teaching-focused, tenure-track or contract.

Here is a list of possible items to negotiate:

What is a reasonable salary increase to ask for? 

The average range for requesting an increase on an offer is between five to 15 per cent. However, an important factor to consider is the institution and department that is giving you the offer and what they can manage. An R1 university can most likely match a 15 per cent increase from their first offer. However, a small liberal arts teaching college may only be able to offer near the lower end of the spectrum or will not be able to offer anything above their original offer. Research the institution/department by visiting the human resources page of the institution to best guide how much you can request. 

Additionally, consider the value you bring to the department. Has your research secured prestigious funding, or do you have an excellent publication record, or are the supervision/teaching areas unique and a necessity for the department? Use your academic accomplishments and uniqueness to further guide and support where you fall in the range of the 5 to 15 per cent. 

Is there a standard “Assistant Professor”/“Associate Professor” salary that I can refer to in my negotiations?

You want to refrain from referring to a standard salary because each institution and department, even within the same institution, is different. To inform the range of salary to propose, do research on appropriately similar departments/institutions by visiting the human resources page of the institution. 

How do I present a counter-offer? 

Whenever you receive an offer, it is not recommended to immediately accept or counter the offer. Instead, thank them for their offer and let them know you think about it over the next few days. 

When you do present a counter-offer, thank them again for their offer and note that you’d like to discuss aspects of the offer. Following that, present a focused and prioritized list of your counter-offer in paragraph format, providing reasoning to support your claims. For instance, “I would like to request a salary of $XX, which reflects my extensive research and funding background, particularly my four peer-reviewed journal publications and my two SSHRC grants.” 

How long can my list of negotiable items be? 

Prioritize your list of requests and tailor them to the job. Asking for too many things at once might deter the employer. If you have questions, you can book an appointment with a graduate career advisor. 

What do I do if I am asked about my salary or other expectations before receiving an offer?

Always try to get the employer to say a salary range or discuss other aspects of an offer first. If asked about your preferred salary range, turn the question back to them: “I have done some research on the market and your institution, so I do have some idea of the market value. Could you tell me the range you have in mind?” 

Similarly, if the employer asks, “is the salary range of %X okay for you,” respond that you can wait and discuss salary once you're both clear about what the position entails and what you can contribute to the department. 

If you are in a position where they do not go first, then you can respond with: “In recognition of my publications and awards, I would be requesting a salary in the range of X.” Remember, offer a range that suits the rank of the institution and the type of job. 

How do I negotiate a partner hire? 

If you are going to ask for a partner hire, generally wait until the offer is in hand before mentioning the partner. You can present the partner hire as a deal breaker or a strong preference. It is suggested that you negotiate what you need and then tackle the partner hire separately, but this isn't always possible. Listen carefully to cues from the person you are negotiating with about what is possible. Larger institutions may be able to comfortably afford a partner hire, while smaller colleges may not be able to. If your partner is willing to work in a non-tenure track role, that is something to consider as you negotiate. 

What if they reject one of my requests, can I still negotiate other items? 

Yes. For instance, if the employer cannot go above a certain salary, do not push on that same subject. Instead, see if money can come from other things, such as lab equipment, travel funding, etc. 

Can an offer be rescinded during negotiations? 

Rescinded offers are rare, but they do happen. To prevent an offer from being rescinded during negotiations, ensure that your requests match the type and rank of the institution, that you are polite and professional in your requests and your requests are focused and prioritized.

Can I negotiate in a post-doc offer? 

Yes, you can, but what you can negotiate depends on the contexts and circumstances of the post-doc. For instance, sometimes negotiating salaries cannot happen because the post-doc is directly funded from a grant, and so there is no room to increase your salary. Partner hires are also not common in post-doc positions. However, you can negotiate such items as start time, how the department can provide travel funding, and/or if teaching opportunities are available (if concerns about building teaching experience arise). 

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