Hb229

Hi All,

I'm just about graduate with a First Class Master's degree in chemistry, and I was wondering what the possibility of getting a graduate job in the U.S would be. Having researched the current market, it doesn't seem like there is that great a demand for graduate chemists, I.e. I saw an article whereby Stanford PhDs couldn't find a job!

If I'm completely honest, I'm not sure if I'd like to stick to a career in chemistry but it has been an ambition of mine to move to the U.S. Is it best just to start a career with a multi-national and then transfer, or is there any possibility of getting a position over there?

Thanks in advance for your advice,
Haydn

london_calling

There are plenty of post-doc positions in biomedical science available to foreigners and I doubt chemistry is much different. Can you get a funded PhD position?

Hb229

My problem with that is that PhDs aren't like how they in the UK, where you have fair working hours. In the U.S. Supervisors seem to use you like slaves. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Owen778

You realise, of course, that the US commercial sector has exactly the same lack of protection of workers' rights as the academic sector?

Bob

Aye, it's just as bad.

As a fresh grad with no real world experience, the study route is the best and probably the most realistic option, unless you're looking for a 3-5 year plan.

AdobePinon

Easiest option (in terms of visa) is study for a graduate degree. In chemistry, you'll typically be fully covered for tuition and living expenses.

Pulaski

Pretty much what Bob said. Studying as part of a multi-pronged approach - qualification, networking, ..... and dating. No, I am not joking.

md95065

In many cases, getting married to a U.S. citizen would actually be much easier ...

AdobePinon

Technically easy, yeah.

robin1234

Exactly. After the "honeymoon period," may not always be so easy. Of course a knowledge of chemistry may help.

mikelincs

Biomedical science is a lot different to Chemistry, there is a lot of Chemistry in there, but alos at least an equal amount of medical knowledge and knowledge of disease processes. (I'm a retired biomedical scientist)

tht

Easier maybe, but a lot more expensive than study if you are on a "free ride".

excpomea

We have plenty of foreign doctoral students at my lab.
They all follow a similar pattern.
3 years or so of study/research/work.
Phd, maybe post doc position, marry a US citizen, find a job from the years of networking ect.

My guess you will have to follow a similar route.

No US company is going to bring you over of a $100K + per year working 36hrs a week with full benefits.

Even with a masters in chemistry but with no working experience your going to be starting at the bottom of the ladder.