Global Brilliance Calls ∣ Southern University of Science and Technology Welcomes Outstanding Young Talents Worldwide

Southern University of Science and Technology invites global talents for our National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas) application.

I. Program Overview

The National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas) is tailored to draw in and inspire accomplished young scholars from overseas, including individuals with non-Chinese origins, who have showcased excellence in natural sciences, engineering, and related fields. The program is designed to attract these scholars to China, offering them the autonomy to select their research focus, participate in innovative projects, and contribute to the development of young scientific and technological talent. This initiative strives to cultivate a cohort of promising academic leaders poised to make substantial contributions at the forefront of global science and technology, thereby bolstering China's technological advancement.

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) has ranked among China's top institutions in terms of the total number of funded projects under the Program since its implementation. In 2024, we are dedicated to upholding this distinction by continuing the Program.

II. Eligibility Criteria

1. Adhere to the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, demonstrate strong scientific ethics, and embody a scientific spirit adaptable to the demands of the new era;

2. Born on or after January 1, 1984;

3. Hold a doctoral degree;

4. Specialize in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields;

5. Have at least 36 months of continuous formal teaching or research experience at overseas universities, research institutions, or enterprise R&D departments from the attainment of a doctoral degree until March 15, 2024. This requirement may be flexible for individuals with extremely outstanding achievements who have earned a doctoral degree from overseas;

6. Demonstrate research or technological achievements acknowledged by peers, showing the potential as a leading figure or outstanding talent in the chosen field;

7. Have never worked full-time in China or did not work in China until January 1, 2023; Successful applicants must resign from overseas employment upon funding notification, committing to full-time work in China for a minimum of 3 years.

Important notice: As per directives from central authorities overseeing national science and technology talent programs, individuals at a specific program level are allowed to engage in only one project within that program. Applying for projects at a lower level is not allowed.

(Note: The above information is based on the official criteria for 2023. For more detailed and up-to-date information, please consult the program guidelines issued by the National Natural Science Foundation of China for 2024.)

III. Supportive Conditions

Since its establishment, SUSTech has been proactively fostering a globally competitive compensation system, offering an extensive array of benefits and perks, and creating an enabling research environment. Individuals chosen for the Program will assume teaching-research positions at SUSTech and benefit from the supportive conditions provided, including but not limited to:

1. Position

Typically, successful applicants will be designated as an Associate Professor with eligibility for doctoral student supervision.

2. Compensation and Benefits

(1) Compensation: Globally competitive salary with eligibility for personal income tax benefits within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

(2) Comprehensive benefits: Five Insurances and One Fund (social insurances and housing provident fund) at the highest standards in Shenzhen; commercial supplementary medical insurance and premium commercial medical insurance covering the Greater China region; Shenzhen-standard annuity;

(3) Personal grants: We will assist you in applying for relevant talent programs in alignment with national, provincial, and municipal talent plans. If successfully selected, you will receive stipulated grants or other financial support, up to a maximum of CNY 1,930,000.

3. Research Support

(1) Research funding: Up to CNY 9,500,000 (including national, provincial, and municipal support, subject to government policies and selection outcomes). Special cases will be assessed separately on a case-by-case basis.

(2) Team support: Collaborative formation of research teams as needed. Two postdoctoral positions are provided with 60% funding support from the university. Unlimited recruitment of postdoctoral researchers using self-owned research funds. Support is also extended for graduate student quota allocation based on the university's graduate enrollment management methods and departmental requirements. Autonomous recruitment of research-oriented faculty and research-teaching assistants is allowed.

(3) Office conditions: Provision of office and laboratory space as needed, along with access to excellent shared research platforms.

4. Living Conditions

(1) Housing benefits: Depending on housing availability, faculty are offered either Faculty Apartments or housing subsidies.  

Children's education: SUSTech Education Group (Nanshan) comprises four public schools in Nanshan District, including an affiliated experimental school offering education from Grade 1 to 9, and three elementary schools. For preschool education, we have two public kindergartens in Nanshan District: SUSTech Affiliated Kindergarten and Nanshan District Keyuan Kindergarten, the latter is on our campus. We can provide assistance in enrollment subject to available slots and in compliance with relevant government policies.

(3) Medical services: Our faculty and staff can access medical services at our 3 affiliated hospitals, 8 co-built hospitals and teaching hospitals in Shenzhen. 

(4) Living support: We will support your application for Shenzhen hukou (household registration) or residence permits for you, your spouse, and children, along with facilitating the acquisition of the “You Yue Talent Card” (Guangdong provincial-level talent card) and the “Shenzhen Talent Pass.” These cards offer access to specialized services catering to talents, covering housing, healthcare, children's education, and spouse employment, all provided by Guangdong Province and Shenzhen.

IV. Application Process

If you are interested in applying for the National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas) through our university, please send the following materials to the relevant department's contact email:

1. Curriculum Vitae;

2. An overview of your teaching and research experience;

3. Names and contact information (institution, phone number, email) of at least three referees.

Please use the email subject line “Overseas Outstanding Young Scholars + [Your Name].” We will promptly contact you for further discussions and to provide comprehensive advisory services. Following that, we will proceed with the evaluation and recommendation process in line with the National Natural Science Foundation's guidelines.

V. Contact Us

Contact information of Office of Faculty Affairs of CPC SUSTech Committee, Office of Human Resources, and Office of Research

Why choose SUSTech?

Situated along the picturesque shores of the South China Sea, SUSTech is a well-positioned public research university established by, emerging during the transformative phase of China's higher education landscape. In December 2010, SUSTech received official approval for its establishment from the Ministry of Education. With over a decade of dynamic progress, in February 2022, it achieved inclusion in China's “Double First Class” initiative—a prominent higher education development and sponsorship scheme. This notable accomplishment positioned SUSTech as one of the nation's youngest universities to attain such recognition, setting a record in the ongoing history of China's higher education development. SUSTech seizes the historical opportunities in the thriving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and adheres to its founding spirit of “For Truth, Innovation, Reform, and Excellence with Diligence and Courage,” highlighting its educational focus on “research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” Guided by the motto “Virtue, Truth, Advance,” the University is committed to establishing itself as a globally recognized, high-level research university.

International Talent System

In its commitment to driving China's higher education reform, SUSTech has established an innovative talent evaluation and management mechanism, leveraging the autonomy granted by higher authorities. SUSTech leads the way in China in implementing the internationally recognized “tenure-track system.” Through rigorous academic committee reviews and international peer evaluations, the University continuously refines its talent assessment process. Through the “Principal Investigator (PI) system,” our faculty members enjoy competitive compensation, substantial research start-up funds, and dedicated research spaces. This empowers them to independently establish and lead their research teams, fostering the swift development of emerging research talents. We have established a Faculty Committee to promote active participation of faculty members in university governance and administration. Open and direct communication with faculty is a core value at SUSTech. Faculty members play an active role in our strategy meetings and faculty congress, creating a platform for expressing diverse viewpoints. These inputs are methodically pursued to ensure effective implementation. Key administrative departments, including the Office of Research, Office of Teaching Affairs, Office of Human Resources, and Graduate School, are led by experienced professors who possess a deep understanding of faculty needs. This ensures the delivery of personalized and attentive services to support the academic community. Oriented toward the forefront of academia, SUSTech actively engages in international academic exchanges and collaborates on numerous interdisciplinary research projects worldwide.

Dynamic and Expansive Development Platform

SUSTech aligns itself with the forefront of global science and technology and addresses critical national priorities through a multidisciplinary framework. Its primary focus revolves around science, engineering, and medicine, with an inclusive approach that embraces business studies and distinctive fields within the humanities and social sciences. Currently, the University comprises eight major colleges and schools: College of Science, College of Engineering, School of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Business, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and School of Design, including 34 academic departments and several centers. In just over a decade, the university has rapidly established a comprehensive system for nurturing talent at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. In September 2023, SUSTech was selected as one of the 24 universities in the second batch for the National Program for the Development of Exceptional Engineer Colleges. Additionally, it received approval to participate in the national engineering doctoral training reform (as one of the 30 universities selected nationwide). Currently, SUSTech boasts a student body exceeding 11,000, with over 5,000 undergraduates and more than 6,000 postgraduates. Leading the way in admission system reforms, the University adopts a “comprehensive evaluation admission model based on the college entrance examination.” This approach identifies and nurtures outstanding students with specialized knowledge and innovative potential, placing a significant emphasis on overall qualities and innovative capabilities.

The University is deeply committed to advancing cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and integration. This commitment is evident in our active pursuit of a collaborative innovation model that spans fundamental disciplines, advanced application platforms, major challenge addressing, and the cultivation of high-caliber talent.  Our fundamental disciplines and major platforms are helmed by distinguished academicians or Nobel-level talents, creating an organizational model that seamlessly integrates disciplines, bases, teams, and talents. Noteworthy institutions such as the Grubbs Institute and SUSTech International Center for Mathematics serve as Nobel Prize Scientist Laboratories in Shenzhen. SUSTech is actively involved in the advancement of significant scientific infrastructures, including free electron laser facilities and materials genome facilities. These endeavors are aimed at fostering strategic scientists through the resolution of major challenges. Concurrently, the University has forged partnerships with industry leaders to establish laboratories, creating innovative consortia led by industry leaders, supported by universities and research institutes, and involving various innovation entities. This approach encourages researchers to explore entrepreneurship or engage in part-time roles with enterprises. In the latest 2023 Nature Index ranking, SUSTech holds the 13th position among Chinese universities.

Pursuers of Excellence

SUSTech employs a dynamic and adaptable approach to attract top-tier international talent, forming a faculty team that is not only diverse but also distinguished and vibrant. In the overseas young scholar programs of 2021 and 2022, SUSTech secured the 6th and 10th positions nationwide, leading in Guangdong Province and Shenzhen City and representing approximately 30% of the total selected candidates in the city. In 2022, Professor Efim Zelmanov, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Fields Medalist, and foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined SUSTech on a full-time basis. In 2023, newly recruited personnel hailed from prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the National University of Singapore, the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology in France, the University of Michigan, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States, and Argonne National Laboratory in the United States.

To date, SUSTech has welcomed over 1400 faculty members, including 64 academicians (with 48 recruited or independently nurtured as full-time academicians). Among them, 57 have received the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, 38 are Distinguished Professors honored by the Ministry of Education, 33 have been granted the National Science Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars, 9 are young scholars honored by the Ministry of Education, 69 are international fellows, and 26 have been selected for the Ten Thousand Talent Program. For six consecutive years, SUSTech has secured the first position in the Shenzhen “Talent Scout Prize.” Among our faculty team, approximately 80% are aged 45 or younger. Over 90% of the teaching-research faculty have international work experience, with over 60% having worked or studied at universities ranked among the top 100 globally. And more than 50% of the teaching-research faculty are high-caliber talents.

SUSTech has cultivated a globally diverse talent pool, fostering a workplace that esteems excellence, embraces inclusivity, and supports the rapid development of individuals. In 2017, the University proudly saw its first academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences locally nurtured in Shenzhen. In 2023, Professor Lars Ivar Samuelson was elected as a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, marking the fifth academician independently nurtured at SUSTech to be elected as a member of either the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Additionally, three professors were newly elected as international academicians. Among them, Professor Dai Jiansheng secured a fellowship at the European Academy of Sciences. Our university boasts multiple scholars honored with significant international research awards. Notably, Professor Xue Qikun was awarded the 2024 Oliver E. Buckley Prize, making history as the first Chinese recipient of the prize in the past 70 years. Professor Fang Hongwei was awarded the Hans Albert Einstein Award, a prestigious global recognition presented annually to only one individual. Several other professors have received accolades, including the “Xplorer Prize” and the “Future Science Prize.” In the 2023 list of the top 2% global scientists, 278 individuals from SUSTech were recognized.

Nurtured by Nature: Serene Haven in Shenzhen's Bustling Landscape

SUSTech is situated in a city that, within a mere 43 years, has evolved from a humble fishing village into a thriving metropolis—a city of dreams and miracles. Shenzhen, boasting thousands of parks and gardens, provides a livable, business-friendly, and tourist-friendly environment characterized by a mild climate and fresh air. Located in Nanshan District, Shenzhen's high-tech hub, our campus is surrounded by eight universities and research institutions, creating a vibrant academic atmosphere while offering convenient daily living and transportation. Spanning 1.98 million square meters, our campus is adorned with a lush 77% green cover, featuring nine enchanting hills, expansive lychee orchards, and the meandering Dasha River. Recognized as China's most beautiful university in 2022 by ShanghaiRanking, our campus offers a serene and aesthetically pleasing environment.