How can high-end technologists get recruited to Singapore?

[radio]

Good morning,

I'm a technologist with expertise in the semiconductor, nanotechnology and renewables industries. I hold a doctorate (engineering) from one of the top 10 universities in the US but have only 3 years of post-PhD experience.

Right now, I am a Senior Technologist for an MNC in the US making US$9k/mo base salary + 2-3 mo bonus. I've been interested in working in Singapore - mostly just for the experience - but don't have many connections there.

I could probably just show up, apply for a PEP and get a job, but I want to make the most of the move. I don't want to end up making S$5-6k/mo in a job thats less good than it could be.

Are there any agencies that will recruit people like me? By "people like me", I mean scientists/engineers who can lead serious technology development but who happen to be quite expensive.

PS. (Most of) the semiconductor industry will be in the dumps for 2012, so lets stay out of there...

[Note: I speak perfect English but no Chinese.]

Originally Posted by radio

Good morning,

I'm a technologist with expertise in the semiconductor, nanotechnology and renewables industries. I hold a doctorate (engineering) from one of the top 10 universities in the US but have only 3 years of post-PhD experience.

Right now, I am a Senior Technologist for an MNC in the US making US$9k/mo base salary + 2-3 mo bonus. I've been interested in working in Singapore - mostly just for the experience - but don't have many connections there.

I could probably just show up, apply for a PEP and get a job, but I want to make the most of the move. I don't want to end up making S$5-6k/mo in a job thats less good than it could be.

Are there any agencies that will recruit people like me? By "people like me", I mean scientists/engineers who can lead serious technology development but who happen to be quite expensive.

PS. (Most of) the semiconductor industry will be in the dumps for 2012, so lets stay out of there...

[Note: I speak perfect English but no Chinese.]

Most firms over here will not pay that kind of money for a technical role unless he can generate 2 times or more of the amount he receives each month...Singapore is famous for retrenching "expensive" engineers.... Unless you really want to risk being retrenched over here just for the experience.... Better stay put over there where the engineers are respected and well remunerated... In singapore, engineers are very lowly regarded in society, endure long working hours, stressful deadlines and suffer low salary due to influx of cheaper, younger and faster foreign talent from neighboring developing countries...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Most firms over here will not pay that kind of money for a technical role unless he can generate 2 times or more of the amount he receives each month...Singapore is famous for retrenching "expensive" engineers.... Unless you really want to risk being retrenched over here just for the experience.... Better stay put over there where the engineers are respected and well remunerated... In singapore, engineers are very lowly regarded in society, endure long working hours, stressful deadlines and suffer low salary due to influx of cheaper, younger and faster foreign talent from neighboring developing countries...

Who says he must work as an engineer when he comes here? He can come here to work as engineer first and then switch to become a property or insurance agent and earn big bucks.

Straits Times Dec 17, 2011

Real estate agent Kevin Feng shares the same sentiments. Mr Feng has been in Singapore since 2003 and became a citizen just last year. He specialises in selling high-end properties.

'In Singapore, I get to rub shoulders with the rich and powerful directly and learn from them. But in China, it is not so easy because there are so many layers you have to go through before getting to the top bosses,' he says.