This platform focuses on the precise preparation of functional molecules and materials and key sci-tech challenges in the field of synthetic biology. Based on high-throughput automated scientific devices and combining machine learning, big data analysis and other methods, the platform aims to achieve the in-depth integration of material creation, biotechnology and information technology; break through the traditional scientific research paradigm; achieve substantial progress in precise material creation; and promote the disruptive application innovation of synthetic biology. Addressing China’s major strategic needs, the platform aims to build a domestically leading and world-class advanced technology and R & D platform and promote the in-depth development and integration of industry, university and research by making use of the leading industrial advantages of the Yangtze River Delta Region as well as the strong scientific research capabilities of Zhejiang University and the innovative system and mechanism of the ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center (HIC). This platform was established by the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering of Zhejiang University, with the joint participation of the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences Institute, College of Computer Science and Technology, School of Medicine, College of Life Sciences, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science. The platform boasts a strong scientific research force, with Professor Yang Lirong of Zhejiang University serving as the Chief Scientist to lead the scientific research in the fields of synthetic biology and molecular intelligence. 

Youth Talent Excellence Program

I. Key Research Areas

1. Synthetic Biology

The synthetic biology project will focus on the application of biomanufacturing, life and health, agrifood and environmental safety, as well as the enabling technology fields of bioautomation technology, biology and information cross-integration technology (BTIT), and biological system design. We sincerely invite outstanding young global scholars engaged in the fields of enabling technologies and applications worldwide to join our program. Priorities will be given to applicants with research experience in the following areas:

1.1 Technical Fields

1.1.1 Bioautomation technology: BioFoundry, full-process automation of cell generation, automated cultivation of advanced cells, high-throughput screening and microfluidic technology;

1.1.2 BTIT integration: computer-aided biological system design, biological information technology, AI/machine learning, DNA storage;

1.1.3 Biological system design: gene editing and assembly technology, protein and molecular machines, pathway/circuit engineering, host and community engineering.

1.2 Application direction

1.2.1 Biomanufacturing: artificial cell factory, renewable resource utilization, compound biosynthesis;

1.2.2 Life and health: emergency vaccines, smart cells, immunotherapy;

1.2.3 Agrifood: precision molecular breeding, green pesticide synthesis, artificial food;

1.2.4 Environmental safety: bioremediation, biosafety and bioterrorism prevention, trace biological detection.

2.Molecular Intelligence

The molecular intelligence project integrates automated scientific devices and artificial intelligence technology for the precise design and synthesis of functional molecules and materials. It is targeted at the major challenges in high-end chemicals, high-performance polymers and functional materials. Outstanding young scholars with research experience in the following areas are preferred:

2.1 High-throughput automated scientific devices (system integration, equipment customization, high-throughput molecular material synthesis technology, high-throughput analysis technology, microfluidics, etc.);

2.2 Molecular/material design based on big data and artificial intelligence algorithms (deep learning, natural language processing, knowledge graph, big data analysis and cloud computing, computational chemistry, molecular simulation, etc.);

2.3 Precise synthesis of small organic molecules;

2.4 Precision manufacturing of high-performance polymers;

2.5 Separation material rational design and precise construction;

2.6 Process intelligence modelling and precise amplification.

3.X+AI

The “X+AI” project sincerely invites outstanding young scholars engaged in the fields of enabling technologies and applications worldwide to join our program. Priorities will be given to the applicants with research experience in the following areas:

3.1 Application of machine learning technology in the fields of biology and molecular intelligence (incl. deep learning, meta-learning, adversarial learning, reinforcement learning, etc.);

3.2 Application of natural language processing and knowledge graph technology in the fields of biology and molecular intelligence (incl. scientific literature mining and analysis, large-scale text pre-training, domain knowledge graph construction, graph database, graph neural network, etc.);

3.3 The application of big data processing and cloud computing technology in the fields of biology and molecular intelligent manufacturing (incl. big data storage, high-throughput data processing, graph computing, cloud service computing);

3.4 Biology and Information Cross-Integration Technology (BTIT);

3.5 Chemistry and Information Cross-Fusion Technology (CTIT).

II. Application Requirements

1. Have high academic aspirations, innovative spirit, strong research capabilities and a sense of social responsibility;

2. Under 35 years old (in principle, but exceptions for age may apply for outstanding candidates);

3. Have a Ph.D. degree awarded by a top university or research institute in China or overseas;

4. Have a solid academic background, strong research experience and innovative ideas in related fields, and a solid professional foundation and high educational attainments;

5. Have the ability to conduct research independently as PI;

6. Priorities will be given to the applicants with an interdisciplinary background or experience in interdisciplinary research;

7. Have, in principle, at least one centre for post-doctoral studies or two years of work experience.

III. Benefits and support

1. Competitive salary (discussed individually). Those who satisfy the conditions can simultaneously enjoy the corresponding talent policies of Hangzhou and Xiaoshan District;

2. Successful candidates and their team members will be provided with apartments. Those who satisfy the conditions can enjoy the talent housing policies of the HIC;

3. A start-up research fund of RMB 3-5 million yuan for 3 years (with possible continuation);

4. About 150 m² of office and lab space;

5. Access to “one-stop full-range” administrative support and be able to use the shared large instruments and equipment of the research platform;

6. Successful candidates who have outstanding research performance and meet the talent conditions of Zhejiang University can be recommended to be employed by Zhejiang University;

IV. Application Documents

1. Youth Talent Excellence Program Candidate Application.docx

2. Attach any representative academic achievements with the application (e.g journals or conference papers, publications, authorized invention patents, keynote speeches and academic reports for conferences, etc.). 

   The applicant shall send the electronic version of the above materials to hic@zju.edu.cn. The subject and attachment shall be labelled in the format: “Biological and Molecular Smart Manufacturing Platform + Youth Talent Excellence Program + Full Name”.

Contact person: Ms. Yang

Phone number: +86-571-82359099

Email address: hic@zju.edu.cn

Address: ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, No. 733, Jianshe 3^rd Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province