I.Introduction

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 YANGg Lirong of Zhejiang University serving as the Chief Scientist to lead the scientific research in the fields of synthetic biology and molecular intelligence.

II. 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).

III. Application Requirements

1. Have a Ph.D. degree awarded within the last three years, with good moral, physical and mental health, and under 35 years old (in principle, but exceptions for age may apply for outstanding candidates);

2. Full-time engagement in postdoctoral research;

3. Priorities will be given to the applicants with background and experience in relevant disciplinary research and in interdisciplinary research;

4. Good sense of teamwork and strong capacity of working independently;

5. Have good English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills;

6. Priorities will be given to the applicants who have published more than one paper of impact as the first author in the past three years, and with outstanding research results.

IV. Benefits and Support

1. Annual pre-tax salary, in principle, is no less than RMB 400,000 yuan (including local government talent subsidy).

2. For those who go on to work in the HIC after the completion of postdoctoral studies, they can simultaneously enjoy the corresponding talent policies of Hangzhou and Xiaoshan District;

3. Matching grants from Hangzhou and Xiaoshan District for those who have obtained funding from China Postdoctoral Science Foundation and Postdoctoral Research Projects of Zhejiang Province.

4. Provided with talent apartments of Xiaoshan District or those of the HIC;

5. Provided with first-class experiment and research conditions;

6. Additional funding or allowances for those who participate in major research projects and achieve remarkable results at the HIC;

7. Those who meet the conditions can apply for senior professional and technical positions of the HIC during their postdoc studies;

8. Those who have excellent performance and results during their postdoc studies can be recommended to apply for teaching positions in Zhejiang University or technical R & D positions at the HIC.

V. Application Documents

1. Application Form for the Postdoctoral Fellow at ZJU-Hangzhou Global Science and Technology Innovation Center.doc

2. Attach any supporting documents (e.g. awards, appraisals, projects and academic papers) showing research competency and academic achievements with the application;

3. Doctoral dissertation.

The applicants shall send the electronic version of the above materials to the assigned email address of the HIC. The subject and attachment shall be labeled in the format: “Biological and Molecular Smart Manufacturing Platform + Youth Talent / Postdoctoral Fellow / Technology Development Expert + Full Name”.

The applicants shall send the electronic version of the above materials to hic@zju.edu.cn. The subject and attachment shall be labeled in the format: “Biological and Molecular Smart Manufacturing Platform + Special Project + Postdoctoral Fellow + Full Name”.