ZHICHENG Young Professor

The School of Sustainable Energy and Resources at Nanjing University is seeking qualified applicants for the position of “ZHICHENG” Young Professor (ZHICHENG means utmost sincerity in Chinese) in the research fields as follows:

(1) Sustainable Exploitation & Utilization of Resources;
(2) Cycling and Extraction of Key Metal Elements; 
(3) Recycling of Wind, Battery, and Photovoltaic Equipment; 
(4) Energy Conversion and Storage; 
(5) Energy-saving Materials and Technologies; 
(6) Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage; 
(7) Controlling Factor and Macroscale Model of Carbon Emission.

We welcome applicants from the disciplines above.

I. Introduction to the School

The School of Sustainable Energy and Resources (hereinafter referred to as SSER) of Nanjing University (hereinafter referred to as NJU) is one of the key schools founded on NJU’s Suzhou Campus. The school is established on the strong foundation of NJU’s national “Double First-class” disciplines including Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mining Engineering. With the support of the National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and the Frontier Science Center for Critical Earth Materials Cycling, SSER is striving to fulfill the strategic needs of “carbon neutrality”, and to innovate and share theoretical foundations for a habitable Earth and sustainable development. SSER is dedicated to developing cutting-edge sciences and technologies in the cycling of energy and materials, and building management systems of energy and resources to meet the challenges in sustainable development. SSER endeavors to cooperate with global partners to provide solutions to sustainable development and to build a future where human and nature coexist harmoniously and sustainably. 

II. Applicants’ Qualifications

1. Applicants under 40 years old (born on and after January 1, 1985) with a Ph. D in Natural Sciences, Engineering Technologies, etc.

2. Applicants are required to have obtained official teaching and/or research positions in overseas universities, research institutes, or the research and development departments of overseas enterprises, and have worked consecutively for more than 36 months before March 2025. The requirements on the duration of overseas research can be eased with applicants who have obtained their doctoral degrees overseas and have made noticeable achievements.

3. Applicants have not been working full-time in China or have started to work in China after January 1, 2024.

III. Remuneration Packages

1. Title: “ZHICHENG” Young Professor

2. Remuneration and support

(1) From NJU: a minimum annual salary of RMB 800,000, with additional support of “Zijin” Scholar Grant (RMB 600,000/ 3 years) for eligible talents;

(2) From the Chinese government: a subsidy of RMB 500,000 (tax free);

(3) From Jiangsu Province: a subsidy of RMB 500,000 (tax free);

(4) From the Suzhou Municipal Government: subsidies up to RMB 500,000 for eligible talents.

3. Start-up funding 

The Chinese government will provide a start-up funding between RMB 1 million and 3 million, and NJU will provide no less than RMB 2 million. Exceptional individuals can apply for additional funds.

(1) Applicants in relevant fields can apply for the “Suzhou Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leading Talent Project,” and receive additional funding support RMB 1 to 2 million.

(2) Applicants in relevant fields can work part-time in Suzhou National Laboratory, enjoying benefits and support as part-time laboratory personnel. 

4. Housing allowance

NJU provides a housing allowance of RMB 1.4 million to assist in purchasing lake-view apartments (about 140㎡).

5. Office & laboratory space: about 120㎡ 

6. PhD student recruitment: two doctoral students per year during the first term of employment

7. Children’s education: opportunities for candidates’ children to attend high-quality kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools affiliated to NJU

8. Healthcare: VIP healthcare services by the professional medical care team of the university hospital

IV. Means of Application

Applicants can send their CVs to the dean’s email at [email protected] with the subject line as follows: name + research field(s) + position(s) applied. The CV should include information about the applicant’s personal profile, education, work experience, major academic achievements such as papers, projects, patents, honors, and awards. For more information, please contact Ms. Wang at [email protected].

For more information, please visit:

               Official website

     Official account of WeChat