PhD Economics, Where to Start JobHunt?

[pstone]

I finished up my Ph.D. last year in economics, working on a book on political economy but the wife is yearning to move to Taiwan. Can anybody offer advice how to go about finding a Uni position teaching Econ or Business? I've heard networking/word-of-mouth, but that does seem a slow process unless one is pushy, which I'd like to avoid

Thanks!

Peter

[PigBloodCake]

I finished up my Ph.D. last year in economics, working on a book on political economy but the wife is yearning to move to Taiwan. Can anybody offer advice how to go about finding a Uni position teaching Econ or Business? I've heard networking/word-of-mouth, but that does seem a slow process unless one is pushy, which I'd like to avoid

Thanks!

Peter

I can't offer any advice but, if you can read Chinese, here's a website with all the jobs listed for Taiwan Unis:

http://www.univjobs.com/college/taiwan-s1.html

[pstone]

Thanks for the listing, and I can read (can't speak) Chinese. I know in Japan the language of advert is hint on ideal candidate. I imagine Taiwan is similar, or are things more open here?

[PigBloodCake]

Thanks for the listing, and I can read (can't speak) Chinese. I know in Japan the language of advert is hint on ideal candidate. I imagine Taiwan is similar, or are things more open here?

Taiwan may be similar but you can quite frankly open several doors (I wouldn't say many) by yourself without any assistance. You just have to verbally assure the interviewers that you're the right person for the job.

BTW, calling HRs in the 'wan is quite normal (unlike the States where it's not practical or even prohibitive).

Good luck.

[zyzzx]

Thanks for the listing, and I can read (can't speak) Chinese. I know in Japan the language of advert is hint on ideal candidate. I imagine Taiwan is similar, or are things more open here?

I would think that it is similar here. The university job market sucks everywhere, and I imagine that you'll find trying to get a job here doubly difficult.
If you can't speak Chinese, you will be limited to a smaller pool of universities, as they will have to be ok with you teaching in English.
The universities that are truly trying to become more relevant internationally will advertise in English and be more open to hiring foreigners. In my field, in the last year, I've seen ads written in English from Tai-Da (NTU), Shi-Da (NTNU), and National Central University. I'm pretty sure that NTNU did end up hiring a foreigner, dunno about the others.
If you could teach MBA courses, some of the universities here have international MBA programs that are taught in English. (I know NTU has one, don't know about others, sorry. I think there are some threads about them on here though).
If you are more research oriented, you could try Academia Sinica (http://www.sinica.edu.tw/main_e.shtml). In my field they are quite open to hiring foreigners. If you could get even a postdoc or something temporary there, it would allow you to build up connections (and finish your book) and increase your chances of getting a permanent job.
You could have your wife (who I assume reads Chinese) look around online and see if there's a relevant professional society in Taiwan. They might have job listings.
If your research has anything to do with Taiwan (and you're not in a hurry), could you apply for some sort of fellowship (like a Fulbright), to come over here and least get your foot in the door?

[TainanCowboy]

One of the better Universities here on the island:

National Cheng Kung University - Econ Dept.

The Econ Dept. is part of the "Social Sciences" Department....a hot-bed of intrigue, gossip and nervous people.
They are in a new building that is architecturally 'open' with lots of space for expansion...(translation - its easy to get your own office)
Good Luck.

[TainanCowboy]

One of the better Universities here on the island:

National Cheng Kung University - Econ Dept.

The Econ Dept. is part of the "Social Sciences" Department....a hot-bed of intrigue, gossip and nervous people.
They are in a new building that is architecturally 'open' with lots of space for expansion...(translation - its easy to get your own office)
Good Luck.

added: Language would not be a major problem - engrish is spoken & sometimes even understood...sometimes.

added: "Keynesians'" will be subject to ridicule...as is appropriate.

[PigBloodCake]

added: "Keynesians'" will be subject to ridicule...as is appropriate.

You a fellow school of "Austrian"?

[pstone]

@zyzzx: Nice set of leads. I'm definitely open to MBA, I figure business school is the majority of proper econ teaching demand. Checked out Sinica, nothing in Social Sci but will keep looking.

@pigbloodcake: Good to know you can cold-call; I guess calling the dept would beat calling HR?

@Cowboy: That's funny since I'm actually an Austrian economist. Are there Austrians (or at least Chicagoans) at NCKU?

[pstone]

Update: I did find an assistant professor position in my field, am now happily in Taiwan. I used Tealit, where the school advertised a number of positions. Thanks all for advice!