State Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology Global Talent Wanted

I. About Us

The State Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology (hereinafter referred to as the "Laboratory") is established under the Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Positioned at the frontier of global science and technology and guided by major national strategic missions, the Laboratory addresses synthetic biology’s core challenges: the lack of capabilities in rational design and efficient construction. It focuses on two key research pillars: the quantitative principles of life emergence and synthetic biology enabling technologies. Centered on the development of synthetic cells and engineered cells, the Laboratory aims to cultivate original innovation capabilities in synthesizing and designing life, driving transformative advances in bio-manufacturing through synthetic biotechnology, pioneering next-generation bio-manufacturing solutions, and securing global leadership in synthetic biology.

The Laboratory has taken on major national tasks around synthetic and engineered cells, leading the CAS Strategic Research Program (Category B) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China's Basic Science Center Project (Class B). Its members have headed over 35 National Key Research and Development Program projects. Over the past five years, team members have published over 150 papers in journals like Cell, Nature, Science, and their major sub-journals, while their related achievements were selected twice consecutively among China's top ten scientific and technological progresses, receiving 13 science and technology awards at and above provincial or ministerial levels. The Laboratory has led the construction of a major research infrastructure for synthetic biology, focused on developing three key platforms: design-based learning, synthesis testing, and user testing. Actively promoting the integration of technology and industry, the Laboratory has taken the lead to establish a National Bio-manufacturing Innovation Center, collaborating with central state-owned enterprises (SOEs), other SOES, and leading industry players to build a complete innovation chain with upstream-downstream collaboration spanning from original breakthroughs to industrial development.

The Institute of Synthetic Biology (hereinafter referred to as the "Institute") was established in December 2017. Since its inception, it has gathered a group of young leaders and pioneering scientists from the field of synthetic biology in China and abroad, forming a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and cutting-edge innovation team of 1,200 members. Adhering to the philosophy of "Creating to Know, Creating to Use", the Institute systematically deploys its disciplinary efforts around the new research paradigm of “quantitative synthetic biology”. On one hand, it focuses on understanding artificial life systems, conducting basic theoretical research on the quantitative understanding and rational design of life systems, and proactively laying out four research directions: synthetic biological evolution, cellular and genetic circuit design, synthetic genomics, and synthetic microbiomics, striving to seize the high ground in the international studies of synthetic biology. On the other hand, leveraging Shenzhen's unique strengths and responding to global and domestic trends, it has established three additional research directions: materials synthetic biology, synthetic biochemistry, and synthetic immunology, focusing on the key technologies and industrial applications of synthetic biology. Corresponding to these seven core research directions, seven research centers have been established that work in coordination and complementarity, striving to become an internationally influential research and development base and industrial innovation hub for synthetic biology.

SIAT was established in 2006 by CAS, the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a national strategic scientific and technological force established by CAS in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, SIAT is committed to strengthening the nation through science and technology. To best serve major national needs, advance global science and technology frontiers, and support regional economic development, SIAT emphasizes three main research directions: medical imaging equipment and scientific instruments, synthetic biology and bio-manufacturing, and integrated circuit materials and packaging. It also pursues five key scientific research directions: brain-computer interfaces and intelligent systems; brain decoding and primate models; medical devices and medical equipment; intelligent medicine and health data; and advanced materials and carbon neutrality. Additionally, SIAT leads the construction of the National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices and the National Innovation Center for Bio-manufacturing Industry, striving to provide strong support for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Science and Technology Innovation Center and a comprehensive national science center.

Candidates are welcomed to apply for the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (Overseas) under our sponsorship.

II. Orientation

The National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (Overseas) aims to attract and encourage outstanding young scholars (including non-Chinese talents) from overseas who have made significant achievements in the fields of natural sciences and engineering technology to return to or relocate to China for work. It allows them to choose research directions and conduct innovative research, promoting the rapid growth of young scientific and technological talents, cultivating a group of outstanding academic leaders with the potential to reach the frontier of world science and technology, and contributing to the construction of a technology powerhouse.

III. Application Qualifications

(1) Abide by the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, possess good scientific ethics, and consciously practice the spirit of scientists in the new era;

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

(3) Hold a doctoral degree;

(4) Primarily engage in research directions in the natural sciences, engineering technology, etc.;

(5) After obtaining a doctoral degree and before April 15, 2025, generally should have held a formal teaching or research position at a renowned overseas university, research institution, or corporate R&D institution for a continuous period of 36 months or more; for those who have obtained a doctoral degree overseas and have exceptional achievements, the work experience requirement may be appropriately relaxed (not applicable to those who obtained their overseas doctoral degree through Sino-foreign joint training programs);

For applicants who have held paid positions in China while working overseas, the work experience in those paid positions in China will not be counted into the overseas work experience requirement.

(6) Have obtained research or technological achievements recognized by peer experts and have the potential to become an academic leader or outstanding talent in the field;

(7) Applicants should not have returned to or relocate to China for full-time work yet, or returned to or relocate to China for work after January 1, 2024. Upon receiving the funding notification, applicants must resign from their overseas positions and return to or relocate to China for full-time work for no less than 3 years.

Comply with the relevant requirements for the coordinated implementation of national science and technology talent programs. Applicants can only hold one national science and technology talent program at a given level and are ineligible to apply for programs at a lower level.

*Conditions are subject to the final notification from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

IV. Recruitment Focus

Candidates with a background related to synthetic biology, including but not limited to the following majors:

V. Benefits

Development Potential: We offer you a one-stop career platform integrating research, education, and industrial resources, where you will collaborate with a high caliber team, fostering innovation and professional growth..

Compensation and Benefits: We provide internationally competitive, academically focused negotiated salaries and benefits to enable you to focus on your research.

Research Support: We provide substantial research funding and dedicated laboratory space to fully support your research endeavors.

Team Support: We provide dedicated support for recruiting research staff to help you efficiently build your research team.

Project Application: We offer comprehensive support and guidance throughout the application process for various funding programs, allowing you to concentrate on core research.

Relocation Assistance: We assist you in securing talent housing, provide corresponding housing purchase subsidies, and implement various levels of living subsidies for high-level talents.

Medical and Health: We offer access to high-end medical resources, annual health check-ups, and designated hospital medical services.

Children's Education: We provide educational resources from kindergarten through junior high school, including school enrollment and childcare arrangements.

Other Benefits: Generous achievement awards, stable promotion opportunities, and customized personnel services (including household registration, residency, archives, and entry permits for China).

VI. Application Method and Materials

Outstanding talents who meet the project application requirements are welcome to send their resumes and proof of representative achievements to isynbio_hr@siat.ac.cn . Please indicate "Name + Overseas + Research Direction" in the email subject and suggest including a WeChat ID in the email for easy contact.

For more details, please visit the official website of the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology: http://www.isynbio.org.cn/research-center.aspx