I’m currently finishing my STEM PhD in New Zealand. Like many, I came here with hopes for the "Stable Life"- following the idea that if you work hard and get a "PR", you are sorted. By the way, PR in NZ is a straightforward thing after a PhD if you get a skilled job offer. I had two advantages: my qualifications are on the Green list, so even if I get a job offer before my PhD, I can still find a way to reach permanent residence. However, despite attempts, it has not worked so far.
But as I approach graduation in Mid 2026, my perspective is tilting constantly.
Since beginning my research in NZ, the economy has never felt stable, unemployment has been at its peak since 2016, and R&D funding for "hard" engineering is incredibly tight. Despite trying to see an opportunity, the fact that many NZ citizens left the country in the past couple of years, moving to Australia for better prospects and opportunities, there might be some space left for outsiders, but this did not go as expected. The other option is to just wait and see, and get the 3-year post-study work visa from NZ after finishing my PhD (in the hope that things get better).
Global trends
Globally, the "rules of the game" seem to be changing. I’m seeing massive funding and R&D projects with high-tier research infrastructure surging in the Middle East, the EU and China. Despite the fact that we have created some really good products in NZ that could benefit niche industry stakeholders (some industry people, especially start-ups, do consult me, as my work has direct linkages with industry projects). When I share these small consultancy experiences with my friends in other parts of the world, they throw banter about joining their labs with rich infrastructure, higher R&D incomes and flexibility, and a stable environment, though devoid of "PR" things.
My dilemma
I am stuck on understanding this "long-term stability concept": if you have a Western passport, is it worth spending one's best professional years in a resource-constrained system and on a very limited R&D scale? We’re told to prioritise "long-term stability" because we’ll all grow old one day, but I’m starting to think that a strong personal balance sheet and access to world-class labs in a high-growth economy are a better safety net than a passport from a struggling one.
So, what's the way forward?
In the hope of seeing my experience shared and seeking feedback from folks who have sailed in a similar kind of boat in stormy oceans, please let me know what the best approach is.
PR in a Western country vs. R&D in a growing Middle Eastern/Global South world, considering future prospects and projections?
Would appreciate it if someone with STEM/Tech experience could share their ideas.