Science jobs, Biopolis. Any headhunters that can help?

[Kamila]

I'm new to this site and also pretty much to Singapore, so I'd be very grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

I'm a researcher who's looking to move to Singapore and would like to work in a place like say Biopolis. I found very many headhunter agencies that specialize in all kinds of areas, but when it comes to science, it seems to be a dead end. The closest thing I find are job ads for engineers...

So my question is does anyone know who I can turn to? The A-star web page does have a list of open positions, but the applications you send to them give no possibility for personal comments and you don't know where they actually get sent or even if they get read. I'm looking for more personal contacts since I'm here on sight at the moment and will only be here until 7th of Nov 2008.

Thank you for your help!

[Kamila]

Well, times have changed since I posted that question, so now I can proudly say that I will start working at Biopolis on Monday, so perhaps I'll be able to answer some of YOUR questions about the place in the future!

Best,
K.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Congratulations. Perseverance pays off! Welcome to Singapore!

Hope you will post more regularly now that you are here!

[Prajosh]

Hello Kamila,

How did you find your JOB HUNT in Singapore ?

I am in the process now and I am in Singapore for last 2 weeks now.

I am in to HR basically with 5+ years of experience in UK and Dubai.

What you think ? What are the best sites and agencies ?

Please help. Thank you

[sundaymorningstaple]

If you looked at the dates of her two posts you will note that it took her 10 months to secure a position.

[Kamila]

Hello Prajosh!

I found my job hunt to be absolutely terrible here!

During the two months I spent here looking for work (or mainly trying to establish some connections) I didn't get a single reply to my e-mails. In retrospect I guess I should have been calling people up, but that's sort of a culture clash for me... I met with one professor during my stay, and only because he knows my former supervisor. He isn't even really in my field, but he did try to give me some advice at least. The line of thought also failed.

Before coming here last fall, I was flown in by Abbott for a job interview. When I received a call from them that they were interested in my application, I had no clue what they were talking about and even who I was talking to. I had applied for a position with them 6 months earlier by pressing a button on Monster.sg and naturally assumed that didn't lead to anything - especially since I don't see how you can even get a job without sending in at least a cover letter. The interview in other words took place 7-8 months after the application date.

The position I have now, I got through a mare fluke. Contacts, in other words. It seems to be the only way to get anywhere in this world since even tough A*STAR screams out for people, I never got a single reply by going through their web page, as they recommend. The applications just seem to vanish into thin air and I don't know if some secretary gets them or if one Professor or two actually reads them.

I don't know what sort of work you are looking for, but this is a list of sights I just sent to a friend or mine. Hope this helps!

http://www.monster.com.sg
http://jobscentral.com.sg/
http://jobs.singaporeexpats.com/
Something called careerzone (the link gets censored due to copy wrights apparently)
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore/
http://www.careerzone.com.sg/
http://www.jobs.com.sg/
http://www.careerseries.com.sg/
http://www.entersingapore.info/jobs/

And this also might be useful:

http://www.overseasdigest.com/country/Singapore.htm
http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal ... _pass.html

Best,
K.

P.S. I wouldn't say it took 10 moths to secure my current position. I started talking to my current employer in Feb this year, and signed a contract in the spring, but to even get in touch with the right person, can take an eternity is seems!

[MissC]

(Sorry for bringing this old thread up!)

Hi Kamila,

congrats on your new job! I am currently looking for a scientific job in SG and was browsing through the forum and saw your thread. I am just wondering what field of scientific research you are in? I am in biochemistry and have been working in the field for almost 2 years. So wondering how hard did you find looking for a scientific job in SG? And in addition, I will be hunting from the UK, do you reckon the distance will be an off-putting factor for possible employers?

Many thanks for your help.

MissC

[x9200]

(Sorry for bringing this old thread up!)
and have been working in the field for almost 2 years. So wondering how hard did you find looking for a scientific job in SG? And in addition, I will be hunting from the UK, do you reckon the distance will be an off-putting factor for possible employers?

If you have to do this from abroad get down to the group manager level (NOT corporate nor an institute HR). These are the real guys who may or not be interested in employing you. So identify the institutes, than specific scientific groups and their managers. Call them first before sending any CV.

[kavinavi]

hi kamila,

Got to read ur posts about job hunting....i am too in the same boat,looking for jobs in science,precisely in Biopolis.I am here for a month nw n no response yet.Have posted my CV on almost all jobportal sites.May be you could help me out...since it seems we are of same background.May i know which field you specialize in?I am a master's LifeSciences and looking for industrial or intitutional job.I have 5 yrs of experience.

hope u'll take out time to reply back:)

thanks,

Kavinavi

[sundaymorningstaple]

It's been 2 years since she last posted here. I doubt very seriously whether she will be replying........ It helps to look at the time stamps of the posts and the profile page of the poster to see when they last posted.

[kavinavi]

Hello sundaymorningstaple,

Thank you for ur suggestion:)I ws just trying my luck...since i had searched for her posts and her last post on this forum was in 2010 Aug,that means her profile is still active...so may be she would be still receiving alerts.So just thought...would get a clue out her from here.

Thank you,

cheers

[Kamila]

Hi kavinavi!

Always good to try Your luck! =)
In my experience (and in my friends experience) ppl in Singapore in general just don't bother replying to e-mails, or getting back to You after interviews, or getting back to You regarding practically anything. I have had this happen to friends on all kinds of levels and in all fields. I have no idea when this kind of behaviour became acceptable..
So in any case, try to get hold of the person You wish to talk to by calling them. Regarding Lifesciences, You will always find a PI's profile online with their field of research described and their contact information. Perhaps you should send them Your CV and inquire of the have available positions and the follow up by calling them a few days later to ask if they have had time to ready it through.
I will be go travelling during the coming month and may not have access to the Internet, but good luck to You! If You're in the country, You should even go to these places and see if it's possible to arrange a meeting with either a PI or perhaps the HR staff who know about their hiring procedures.
And last but not least, please, please, please don't try to get a job at IBN! Trust me on that... =)

[sundaymorningstaple]

Kamile, nice to see you back again! Too long between posts. We'd given up on you.

[-jt-]

hi there kamila
i have a gf (she is a prc) that is taking up masters in pharmacy. she is currently doing researching work as well in the university

my question is. for research work. does she still need to be a license pharmacist? would you happen to know if singapore honors pharmacy license from abroad? also is her best bet to work here in singapore is to just do research work other than becoming a pharmacist? does research work in labs pay well?

any information would be appreciated
best regards

[kavinavi]

Hello Kamilla,

Thank you so much, that you took out time to reply back.Finally you made me believe that sometime my luck do works out!!

Hey,I indeed need such suggestions,have already applied to so many places but as you said...No response!!Lets see if patience pays back or not!!

Will catch up on you, once you return back and of course will post if i happen to get a lead!!:)

bbbye n tc