i am in the area of 1/2/4current research and development in device and manufacturing technology will continue up to year 2020. After that, we definitely need a very different device (not MOSFET anymore). Before 2020, there is just huge demand for R/D engineers, but the focus is on development, not on research. Nobody knows what will happen to semiconductor industry after 2020, but it won't die for sure. if you don't mind staying in singapore, you can apply for postgrad scholarship from Chartered Semiconductor or A*Star. No harm to try and the pay is good. Bond is 2/3 years.