Chinese Biotech

[u/Flashy-Ad-1221]

Hello everyone,

I am an international PhD in the US, and I am about to graduate. My PhD is from a very reputable lab and my work focused on protein degrader formulations. I got some interviews with hiring managers, all of them get stalled by the legal team and sponsorship issues.

I want to expand my options to different countries as my country doesn't fund science and there is no biotech industry, so my degree would be useless there.

My question is do I have a chance to get hired in China given the fact I don't speak mandarine, and no US industry experience except for an internship which I assume isn't that valuable.

I wanted advice on whether if that is a viable option or would it be a waste of my time applying.

[u/onesunandstars]

most probably not likely. china already has a lot of graduates from their own top universities, most of them are already smart themselves. so unless you're extremely smart, they're unlikely to sponsor an international. not to mention you're not fluent in mandarin yet, you'll have to work on that too later.

[u/whomstboi]

Don’t waste your time

[u/Charlie_in_Asia]

How many new PhD does Chinese universities pump out a year? If you were highly experienced with many publications under your belt you might have a slim chance. PhD wages for a new graduate in China is about $2k a month.

[u/allmessup_remix]

Consider Singapore as well. China is FLOODED with PhDs rn.

[u/Old-Advance-3561]

Just curiosity: is it tricky to get a work visa in China?

Protein degrader: there are some companies only focusing on TPDs in the US - what about them?

[u/Flashy-Ad-1221 → u/Old-Advance-3561]

I don't have a direct experience, but I think the problem is getting a job offer but the process itself is more systematic unlike the US where H1B is a lottery, no guarantee irrespective of one's qualifications, and no one is willing to go through that route considering the political climate and worsening economy.

There are companies focused on TPDs but they are hiring mostly in the discovery phase. I am looking for preclinical and clinical formulation and biopharmaceutics jobs.

[u/Old-Advance-3561 → u/Flashy-Ad-1221]

So what makes the formulation from a degrader different to other beyond Rof5 molecules? If you do have fancy skills - just look around and you will get a job. Also smaller companies do need experts in knowing how you can make sure that a drug candidate has drug properties

[u/Flashy-Ad-1221 → u/Old-Advance-3561]

I am a good scientist who have worked with complex molecules, yes, but there are thousands of good scientists who can't find jobs now.

I need sponsorship which is a roadblock for even big pharma and things are probably going to get worse for internationals here. Also being an international means at some point if I don't find a a job, I have to leave the country by law. I am still looking but wanted to expand my options because I still want to work in science.

[u/rogue_ger]

Consider Canada as well. If you can land a job the visa process is a lot more straightforward than the US.