[blackcat]

Hello

I am a material synthetic chemist with a PhD degree gained in the UK. I will have my first 2-year postdoc contract ended in this October and I am looking for a real job. I am from Asia and I would like to work in EU, UK, USA, Canada and Australia.

I feel a main problem is my visa status. How difficult is it to have a job as foreigner? How can I maximize the chance?

thansk

[Enthalpy]

You might consider Germany. The companies look for qualified workforce, and there is a strong chemical industry.

Nearly no prejudice against foreigners here, including in leader positions, and your qualified colleagues will all speak English. German is rather easy to learn provided you take lessons. The weather could be nicer depending on the location but life is easy.

Being an EU citizen, I can't tell how to get a visa. You may need an interested employer before applying for a visa: ask the German embassy or consulate where you live. For sure, do it within the rules, it's simple and citizens expect that.

Job offers are on the Internet, sometimes in English, some are still (most in German) in the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung and more, which you find in kiosks in Britain or can subscribe.

Switzerland too has a strong chemical industry located in the German-writing part (spoken is an exotic Germanic dialect). Best wages, most costly living. I know that many foreigners work in the Swiss industry and have leader positions. You need a visa, and I can't tell much more, except that the whole country works according to the rules, and is not an EU member.

The Netherlands have a chemical industry and seek qualified workers.

Canada is known to badly seek qualified workers and has an official immigration policy. If you speak French, try Québec, which has its own immigration agencies. Check the consulates.

[kriggy]

You can look up on this page
https://www.organic-chemistry.org/jobs/

its being updated fairly. Its not the highest amnt of positions you can start there.

[jeffmoonchop]

Firstly, marry a person from the country you want to be working in, then get a spouse visa, then apply as a permanent resident. It can be difficult to find a job without a visa. Unless you're very specialised which you may be by the sounds of it, companies prefer to hire within the country as its cheaper. I'd recommend cheeky scientist association. They train PhDs to find jobs, many members are trying to find jobs as a foreigner and they may be able to help.

[Enthalpy]

My impression is that a visa isn't that difficult to obtain in the EU for a chemist PhD. Here in Germany, many workers, more so skilled ones, come from outside the EU. No need to fake a marriage nor to wear leather pants and a feather hat.