Shieu earned a doctorate in materials science and engineering from Cornell University in 1990, advised by Steve Sass.

[1][2] He worked for the Dow Chemical Company in Michigan for three years, then returned to Taiwan.

[2] Shieu began teaching at National Chung Hsing University in 1993,[2][3] and successively led the College of Engineering and Office of Research and Development at NCHU prior to replacing Der-Tsai Lee as university president.

[5][6] During his presidential tenure, the university started a breakfast program to entice its students to awaken earlier,[7] and established the first Academy of Circular Economy in Taiwan.

[11] In April 2024, Shieu confirmed that he would step down from his governmental position after the incoming William Lai administration had taken office.