*** Any BIOLOGISTS (NOC 2121 ) here ? ********

[Veebee]

I am a molecular biologist applying to immigrate without a job. A bit disappointed with relevant jobs found in portals ( less in number) and a fair sense of idea that BC and Toronto Metropolitan Area have more jobs for biologists, I'd like to gather views from people who have already landed or in the process.

Applying for PR is one thing, but the idea of getting through and entering Canada without a job sounds scary.

ITA : Nov 27, 2015
AOR : Jan 20, 2015
No progress from there on.

Views welcome, Cheers.

 

[jairichi]

I am a research biologist. Have taken few baby steps for Canada immigration. Have applied for Aus PR visa. I find the same about job opportunities for research in Canada.

 

[sqid.madoma]

I am 2121 too.

Been working at University of Calgary for the past year and a half. I am a postdoctoral researcher here, you can look for this kind of position if you have a PhD.

Which degrees do you have ? You can probably find a job as a research associate if you have a master degree or a PhD. If not as a lab technician.

You have more chances finding a job by contacting directly the laboratories you would like to work in than waiting to see a job ad. Most of the positions are not advertised and when they are it is because they already have someone but have the legal obligation to advertise for the job.

Do not hesitate if you hav any other questions.

 

[Veebee]

I am 2121 too.

Been working at University of Calgary for the past year and a half. I am a postdoctoral researcher here, you can look for this kind of position if you have a PhD.

Which degrees do you have ? You can probably find a job as a research associate if you have a master degree or a PhD. If not as a lab technician.

You have more chances finding a job by contacting directly the laboratories you would like to work in than waiting to see a job ad. Most of the positions are not advertised and when they are it is because they already have someone but have the legal obligation to advertise for the job.

Do not hesitate if you hav any other questions.

@ squid.madoma. Thanks a lot for your input. I hold a Masters in Biomedical Sciences ( Glasgow) and was in Taiwan for a PhD (Molecular cell biology) but quit after 20 months. This was a paid, full time position so I am using this as work experience.....hope its counted in ?

Lately been working on CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing and developmental biology, so i have been scanning across labs from BC to Nova scotia working with these tools / topic.

The uncertainty creeps in when I start thinking that labs would want people with Canada work experience ? So can I start talking to labs / skype saying that my PR is under application ?

Thanks

 

[sqid.madoma]

@ squid.madoma. Thanks a lot for your input. I hold a Masters in Biomedical Sciences ( Glasgow) and was in Taiwan for a PhD (Molecular cell biology) but quit after 20 months. This was a paid, full time position so I am using this as work experience.....hope its counted in ?

Lately been working on CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing and developmental biology, so i have been scanning across labs from BC to Nova scotia working with these tools / topic.

The uncertainty creeps in when I start thinking that labs would want people with Canada work experience ? So can I start talking to labs / skype saying that my PR is under application ?

Thanks

I don't know for the PhD as a work experience, I did not do that but I know that some people did.

In laboratories nobody asks for Canadian work experience. They don't care at all. What matters is what your technical skills are, if you are listed as an author on a publication and if someone can recommend you. And I am sure that with your background you can find something since CRISPR is very trendy nowadays.

Don't be concerned about permits, that will not be a concern for people in aboratories. Everybody in my lab and the labs around have closed work permits. It is very easy for universities to obtain close work permit for a new worker since they are LMIA exempt. But anyway you can say that your PR is on its way since your AOR is January.

 

[Veebee]

Thanks, will start contacting labs soon. Wish I could see some progress with my file. Its close to 4 months now ! Good luck

 

[jairichi]

@ squid.madoma. Thanks a lot for your input. I hold a Masters in Biomedical Sciences ( Glasgow) and was in Taiwan for a PhD (Molecular cell biology) but quit after 20 months. This was a paid, full time position so I am using this as work experience.....hope its counted in ?

Lately been working on CRISPR / Cas9 gene editing and developmental biology, so i have been scanning across labs from BC to Nova scotia working with these tools / topic.

The uncertainty creeps in when I start thinking that labs would want people with Canada work experience ? So can I start talking to labs / skype saying that my PR is under application ?

Thanks

As far as I know this PhD experience will count for Australia immigration but not for Canada immigration unless you worked as Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) or Demonstrator during your PhD. Looks like you were paid a fellowship or stipend when doing your PhD.

 

[sqid.madoma]

As far as I know this PhD experience will count for Australia immigration but not for Canada immigration unless you worked as Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) or Demonstrator during your PhD. Looks like you were paid a fellowship or stipend when doing your PhD.

The problem with PhD as work experience is not about the way you are paid but about the fact that this experience is part of your studies which is necessary for a diploma.
For the phD case, The line is blurred between work experience and study. I know that in several countries in Europe it is considered as a legit work experience, you even pay taxes and can claim EI and CPP, whereas it is not the case in Canada or the U.S where you are only a student.

I would say it depend on the VO and if it is well explained in a letter of explanation.

But after 4 months chances of being rejected are becoming very low.

 

[Veebee]

This issue of PhD time spent as work exp has been haunting me since the start.

I completed my Masters in 2009, worked between Dec 2010- Jul 2012 and enrolled for PhD ( Aug 2012 - Aug 2014 ) discontinued and then worked as Technician from Feb 2015 to March 2016.

Technically, the 20 months of paid fellowship and study was not used to get any degree, as I applied to FSW with just a Master's degree ( 135 POINTS ) validated by WES. I never showed any PhD coursework transcripts during FSW application, just the bank passbook to show monthly fellowship remittance, a letter from graduate course coordinator stating that I rotated in 3 labs with xyz projects as part of graduate program, time spent in program, skills gained, fellowship received. But yeah, the letter never mentions the word ' work experience ' and it states that i joined ' a program'. Nervous, fingers crossed !

 

[jairichi]

The problem with PhD as work experience is not about the way you are paid but about the fact that this experience is part of your studies which is necessary for a diploma.
For the phD case, The line is blurred between work experience and study. I know that in several countries in Europe it is considered as a legit work experience, you even pay taxes and can claim EI and CPP, whereas it is not the case in Canada or the U.S where you are only a student.

I would say it depend on the VO and if it is well explained in a letter of explanation.

But after 4 months chances of being rejected are becoming very low.

As I said earlier it is considered as experience for Australia immigration. Being paid to do your dissertation work for a PhD degree will not be considered work experience by Canadian immigration authorities. In US students end up being RAs or TAs during their PhD program and are paid for that. That is considered as work experience.

 

[Veebee]

As I said earlier it is considered as experience for Australia immigration. Being paid to do your dissertation work for a PhD degree will not be considered work experience by Canadian immigration authorities. In US students end up being RAs or TAs during their PhD program and are paid for that. That is considered as work experience.

Thanks for input, are you sure this information is accurate ? Could I also ask the source of information gathered ? Cheers

 

[jairichi]

Thanks for input, are you sure this information is accurate ? Could I also ask the source of information gathered ? Cheers

For Australia, my PhD duration was calculated as work experience by assessment agency.
For Canada, you might (I stress the word might) be able to claim that as work experience if it was outside Canada and you worked or held position as RA or TA. This is for FSW and not for CEC.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=855&top=6
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=4012
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ViewAllTitlesQuickSearch.aspx?val=4&val1=4012&val65=4012

If you get any info on this do kindly update this thread.

 

[Veebee]

For Australia, my PhD duration was calculated as work experience by assessment agency.
For Canada, you might (I stress the word might) be able to claim that as work experience if it was outside Canada and you worked or held position as RA or TA. This is for FSW and not for CEC.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=855&top=6
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/QuickSearch.aspx?val65=4012
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ViewAllTitlesQuickSearch.aspx?val=4&val1=4012&val65=4012

If you get any info on this do kindly update this thread.

Thanks Jairichi, from the links you sent me I could try to fit into the 'Graduate assistant - university ' tag, but again factors that could support my appeal includes the reference letter where my course referee has mentioned the technical details of the project ( Devbio, Molecular biology,Neurobiology including techniques like immunblot, confocal microscopy,etc ), full-time, paid position along with the following sentence ' He has worked on the below mentioned research topics as part of lab experience:

And i remember someone telling me that if the experience is outside Canada, it could be counted ( cant validate the authenticity of source though)

On panic mode because the experience is 20 months of my 4 years points claimed, I even called up my representative and he stresses that as long as the position was full-time, paid and outside Canada it should be counted in. :

 

[jairichi]

Thanks Jairichi, from the links you sent me I could try to fit into the 'Graduate assistant - university ' tag, but again factors that could support my appeal includes the reference letter where my course referee has mentioned the technical details of the project ( Devbio, Molecular biology,Neurobiology including techniques like immunblot, confocal microscopy,etc ), full-time, paid position along with the following sentence ' He has worked on the below mentioned research topics as part of lab experience:

And i remember someone telling me that if the experience is outside Canada, it could be counted ( cant validate the authenticity of source though)

On panic mode because the experience is 20 months of my 4 years points claimed, I even called up my representative and he stresses that as long as the position was full-time, paid and outside Canada it should be counted in. :

Ok fine. Thank you for the info. Good luck with your PR process.

 

[Veebee]

Ok fine. Thank you for the info. Good luck with your PR process.

Thanks, the wait is indeed tough. Good luck to you too with the process ( Both Canada & Oz )