Join Us∣SUSTech Calls for Global Talent

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) cordially invites outstanding international scholars to apply for the prestigious National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas).

I. Program Overview

China's National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas) seeks to attract remarkable young scholars from around the globe, including those of non-Chinese origin, who have excelled in natural sciences, engineering, and related fields. The program empowers scholars to pursue their own research interests, fostering innovative projects that contribute to the advancement of scientific and technological talent in China.

As a leading institution in this initiative, SUSTech has consistently ranked among the top universities in China for securing funding since the program's inception. In 2025, SUSTech will continue its commitment to this talent recruitment initiative.

II. Eligibility Criteria

(I) Compliance with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, alongside a strong commitment to scientific ethics and innovation;

(II) Born on or after January 1, 1985;

(III) Hold a doctoral degree in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields;

(IV) Possess a minimum of 36 months of continuous formal teaching or research experience at overseas universities, research institutions, or corporate R&D departments, gained after obtaining your doctoral degree and prior to April 15, 2025. This requirement may be relaxed for candidates with exceptional achievements and a doctoral degree from overseas;

(V) Demonstrate recognized research or technological achievements that indicate potential as a leading figure in your field;

(VI) Have no previous full-time work experience in China prior to January 1, 2024. If selected, you will need to resign from your current overseas position and commit to full-time work in China for a minimum of three years.

Important Note: You may apply to only one program at the same level. Applications to programs at lower levels are not allowed.

[Note: The eligibility criteria are based on the 2024 official guidelines. For the 2025 criteria, please refer to the latest guidelines issued by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).]

III. Supportive Conditions

SUSTech offers a globally competitive compensation and benefits package, along with a dynamic research environment. If selected for the Program, you will be appointed to a tenure-line position at SUSTech, with access to a wide array of supportive resources and favorable conditions, including but not limited to:

(I) Position

Typically, you will be appointed as an Associate Professor with the opportunity to supervise PhD students.

(II) Compensation and Benefits

1. Compensation: Highly competitive salary with eligibility for personal income tax benefits in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.

2. Comprehensive benefits: Highest-standard Five Insurances and One Fund (social insurance and housing provident fund) in Shenzhen; supplementary commercial medical insurance and premium coverage for the Greater China region, along with a Shenzhen-standard annuity.

3. Personal grants: We will support you in applying for relevant talent programs aligned with national, provincial, and municipal talent initiatives. If selected, you may receive grants or other financial support, with a maximum value of up to CNY 2,190,000.

(III) Research Support

1. Research funding: You may receive up to CNY 9,500,000, including support from national, provincial, and municipal sources, depending on government policies and the outcome of your application. Special cases will be evaluated individually.

2. Team support: Research teams will be formed based on project needs. Two postdoctoral positions are available with 60% funding from the university. You can also recruit additional postdocs using your own funds without limits.  Graduate student quotas will be allocated based on university policies and departmental needs, and you have the flexibility to recruit research-line faculty and research/teaching assistants.

3. Office and Lab Facilities: High-quality office and laboratory spaces are available, alongside access to shared research platforms.

(IV) Living Benefits

1. Housing: Depending on availability, we offer either Faculty Apartments or housing subsidies.

2. Educational support for children: The SUSTech Education Group (Nanshan) includes 4 public schools in Nanshan District, 1 offering education from Grade 1 to 9, and 3 offering elementary education. For preschool, we have two public kindergartens: SUSTech Affiliated Kindergarten and Keyuan Early Learning Center, the latter located on our campus. We can assist with enrollment based on availability and government policies.

3. Medical Services: Access to healthcare through our 3 affiliated hospitals, 11 co-built hospitals and teaching hospitals in Shenzhen.

4. Living support: We assist with applications for Shenzhen hukou (household registration) or residence permits for you and your family, as well as the "You Yue Talent Card" (Guangdong provincial talent card) and "Shenzhen Talent Pass". These cards offer specialized services in housing, healthcare, education, and spouse employment in Guangdong and Shenzhen.

IV. Application Process

If you wish to apply for the National Science Fund Program for Outstanding Young Scholars (Overseas) through our university, please send the following documents to the relevant department's contact email:

1. Curriculum Vitae;

2. A summary of your teaching and research experience;

3. Contact details (name, institution, phone number, and email) for at least three referees.

Please use the following format for the email subject line: "Overseas Outstanding Young Scholars + [Your Name]." Upon receiving your materials, we will promptly reach out to discuss the next steps and offer comprehensive support. We will then proceed with the evaluation and recommendation process according to the guidelines set by NSFC.

V. Contact Us

Why Choose Us?

Located in the vibrant city of Shenzhen, SUSTech is a dynamic public research university founded by the Shenzhen Municipality during a transformative period in China's higher education landscape. Established in December 2010, SUSTech quickly gained recognition, and in February 2022, it was included in China’s “Double First Class” initiative—a prominent higher education development and sponsorship scheme, making it the youngest university in China to achieve this distinction. Nestled in the thriving Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, SUSTech upholds its founding principles of “Truth, Innovation, Reform, and Excellence,” with a strong focus on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Guided by the motto “Virtue, Truth, Advance,” the university is dedicated to becoming a world-class research university.

A Platform for High-Quality Development

SUSTech is committed to advancing global scientific and technological progress while addressing national priorities. The university offers a broad range of academic programs across its diverse colleges and schools, including the 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, among others. With 35 academic departments and several research centers, SUSTech prioritizes science, engineering, and medicine, while also offering programs in business, humanities, and social sciences. Currently, SUSTech has over 12,000 students, including more than 5,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 postgraduates. Leading the way in admissions reform, SUSTech uses a "comprehensive evaluation admission model" that identifies and nurtures outstanding students with specialized knowledge, innovative potential, and strong overall qualities.

At the forefront of cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration, SUSTech heavily invests in advanced research platforms, building strong research teams, and tackling major scientific projects. Our efforts bring together top talent and resources to push the boundaries of knowledge. The university plays a key role in significant initiatives such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Quantum Science Center, the S3FEL Facility, and the Materials Genome Facility—projects shaping the next generation of pioneering scientists. In 2024, SUSTech accelerated the development of national research platforms in areas such as quantum technology, ecological sustainability, life sciences, and advanced scientific instruments. We have established 137 research platforms, with total funding exceeding 3.6 billion yuan. Confirmed project funding in 2024 has reached approximately 1.9 billion yuan, with an increasing number of national project approvals and collaborative research contracts. Over the past five years, SUSTech has consistently ranked among the top ten universities in China for publications in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell. From January to November 2024, it ranked fifth in China for publications in Nature and Science, with 12 papers featuring SUSTech researchers as first or corresponding authors. In materials science, SUSTech ranked third in China, publishing 10 papers in these top journals.

In 2024, the university’s Nature Index FC value exceeded 350, placing it 25th globally and securing the top spot on the "Ten Rising Stars" list—its highest position to date. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, SUSTech is ranked 183rd globally and 13th in China. Additionally, in 2024, SUSTech’s materials science, chemistry, and engineering disciplines were ranked in the global top 1‰ according to the ESI rankings, with 14 disciplines in the global top 1%.

Leading Talent and Academic Excellence

SUSTech adopts a dynamic, flexible approach to attract top-tier international talent, building a distinguished and diverse faculty team. With over 1,400 faculty members, including 61 academicians—50 of whom are full-time faculty recruited or trained by the university—and 73 international fellows, SUSTech boasts a faculty that includes 462 members selected for prestigious national talent programs. This includes 57 recipients of the “National Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars”, 39 winners of the “National Natural Science Fund for Outstanding Young Scholars”, and 50 members of the Ministry of Education’s talent programs. For six consecutive years, SUSTech has secured the first position in the Shenzhen “Talent Scout Prize”. Approximately 80% of our faculty are aged 45 or younger. More than 90% of our tenure-line faculty have international work experience, over 60% have studied or worked at universities ranked among the world’s top 100, and over 50% are recognized as high-level talents in their fields. In 2022, Professor Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist, member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, joined SUSTech as a full-time professor. In 2024, Professor Didier Sornette, a distinguished member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences and Academia Europaea, also became part of our faculty. Our recent faculty recruits hail from top-tier institutions, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, France, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S., and Argonne National Laboratory, U.S.

SUSTech’s status as Shenzhen’s leading talent hub was solidified in 2017 when it produced the city’s first locally trained academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 2023, Professor Lars Ivar Samuelson was elected as a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, becoming the fifth academician nurtured at SUSTech to receive this prestigious distinction. In the past two years, three SUSTech professors were elected as international academicians, including Professor Dai Jiansheng, who was awarded a fellowship of the Academia Europaea. Several SUSTech faculty members have also received prestigious international awards. President and Academician Xue Qikun was honored with the State Supreme Science and Technology Award as well as the Tengchong Science Award. Professor Hu Qing from the School of Environmental Science and Engineering won the First-Class National Award for Technological Invention. Chair Professor Liu Xinyuan from Department of Chemistry and Professor Guo Chuanfei from Department of Materials Science and Engineering both received the First-Class Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Award. Additionally, Chair Professors Tan Bin from Department of Chemistry and Lu Haizhou from Department of Physics were awarded the Xplorer Prize, among other recognitions.

A Talent Ecosystem of Excellence, Respect, and Inclusion

SUSTech fosters a highly internationalized faculty and is committed to cultivating a talent ecosystem grounded in excellence, respect, and inclusion, supported by strong academic governance. The university employs internationally recognized faculty models, including the “tenure track” and “Principal Investigator (PI)” systems, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive support, such as research startup funding, lab space, and mentorship opportunities. Faculty members enjoy the autonomy to build research teams and pursue scientific inquiry independently. To support faculty development, SUSTech leverages academic committees and international peer reviews, creating an environment of continuous growth.

Aligned with national strategic priorities, the university has adopted an organized research model focusing on the “PI + team + platform” approach, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and expanding talent development platforms. SUSTech is committed to a culture that values knowledge, respects talent, and upholds academic freedom. Our Faculty Committee plays a key role in involving faculty in governance and decision-making processes. At SUSTech, open and direct communication with faculty is a core value. Faculty members can engage in strategy meetings and faculty congresses, where diverse perspectives are not only valued but also effectively integrated into decision-making processes. 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 understand faculty needs and deliver personalized support for them. SUSTech also values international collaboration, engaging in academic exchanges and interdisciplinary research projects with leading institutions worldwide.

A Campus Flourishing in Nature

SUSTech is situated in Shenzhen, a city that has transformed from a small town into a vibrant metropolis within just 44 years—a true symbol of innovation and progress. Known for its abundance of parks and gardens, Shenzhen offers a high quality of life with a business-friendly environment, mild climate, and fresh air. The SUSTech campus is situated in Nanshan District, Shenzhen’s high-tech heart, surrounded by eight other universities and research institutions. This offers a dynamic academic atmosphere while providing easy access to daily amenities and excellent transportation. Spanning 2.32 million square meters, our campus is set in a beautiful natural landscape, with rolling hills, lush lychee orchards, and the Dasha River winding through the grounds, adding to its charm. In the 2023 Soft Science Survey of Campus Environment Satisfaction among Chinese universities, SUSTech ranked first nationwide in areas like campus environment, library resources, sports facilities, and campus safety.