Finding life science related jobs in Taiwan

[Isha]

Salary isn't top priority right now, as long as I can get work experience (pretty desperate..). Why preferably outside Taipei?

This is just an advice but you should wait a while and let your emotional state settle first. Trying to look for jobs while you are desperate is not a good decision. You might end up in a wrong/unwanted place.
If you are looking for academic positions (not as student or RA) like lecturer, chances are better if you look outside Taipei for Taipei has long queue of applicants. If you want to be a student or RA, apply in Taipei. They also have a new Biotechnology stuff coming up. You can try there too.

I would again say, fix a position first and then come over. Going head to head is not a good way to find a job unless you are left with no other option.

Good luck.

[headhonchoII]

She is not going to get a high level position with a B.Sc and no experience. For positions like research assistant in a government funded lab or lab assistant these are pretty easy to find. But it would be better to get your list of candidates ready to meet first prior to arriving in Taiwan.

Typing 實驗助理 or 研究助理 into 104.com.tw gives plenty of options. At least half the positions only require a B.Sc. That's just on that site with those keywords. People don't do these jobs very long because of the low pay and poor prospects, they move on to something else or further study. I'm sure there are other sites like Academia Sinica's own website that list open positions. Or you could just call up the Pharmceutical research dept or other related depts to see what is available.

[zyzzx]

Why don't you go for a Masters? Why do you think that work experience would make you more qualified for a PhD program? If you are worried about getting into a PhD program, a Masters will probably help much more than experience as a low level lab grunt (which is all you will be with just a BS). If you are considering a PhD, I'd try to get on with it as quickly as possible. It takes long enough as it is - why waste a few years being a low level tech and end up that much older when you finally finish and can get on with your life? And even if you aren't interested in going the PhD route, I'd imagine that you can go much farther in industry with a Masters.

In my university department (not life science, but still science), there are a lot of research assistants doing reasonably non-grunty work, but they all have a Masters.

[Isha]

btw PhD here takes anywhere from 3 years to 7 years. In most of the cases from 6 to 7.

[headhonchoII]

Yes it is not a good idea if you have an option to do a PhD in the UK (fast and good) or US (best reputation but also long).
In Taiwan professors try to keep PhDs for as long as possible to do their work for them, it's a pretty demeaning system.

[zyzzx]

Yes it is not a good idea if you have an option to do a PhD in the UK (fast and good) or US (best reputation but also long).
In Taiwan professors try to keep PhDs for as long as possible to do their work for them, it's a pretty demeaning system.

Agreed. I definitely do not recommend doing a PhD in Taiwan. The students do seem to do an awful lot of work that's not related to their research, and PhDs from the US and UK have much better reputations. PhDs in the US are long, but if you go straight from a BSc, then the total length is pretty comparable (I believe you need a Masters to do a UK PhD, but I might be wrong).

But if the OP really wants to give Taiwan a try, she could come here for a Masters, then either get a job here based on that or go back west for a PhD.

[BernardT]

My GF is an Associate Director at a CRO and she said you have a chance at getting a job as a Clinical Research Assistant at a CRO given what you've described.

If you're interested, PM me.

BT

[PigBloodCake]

But.. For now I just want to go back... I've been in the US for +13 years now, I want to go home...

After a few years here, I'll bet you'll change your mind about this.

I second that comment. Most people I have talked to, who returned for home, regret their decision.

1. Having a boatload of $$$$ to live/retire in the 'wan.....no problem.
2. Looking for your other 1/2 in the 'wan.....no problem.
3. Need a job to survive in the 'wan.....

[PigBloodCake]

If regret happens, then oh well, it's not like I can't move :P I had no choice about coming to the US but I have choice about going back.

You took this quote from me, didn't ya

As for now I like the lifestyle (and weather) in Taiwan way better.

Trust me, you ain't see nuthin' yet (unless you're talkin' 'bout 台中 or even 高雄).

[Isha]

As for now I like the lifestyle (and weather) in Taiwan way better.

In the last 12 months it has rained for 6 months continuously. Now it is hot and humid. This is Taipei weather report. You really think weather here is better? Not to add constant earth shaking and typhoons.