Faculty Positions in Computational/Digital/AI Chemistry

Position Overview

DEPARTMENT: Chemistry and Materials Science/ School of Sciences 

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: Chemistry and Materials Science 

POSITION TITLE: Open rankfaculty appointment 

LOCATION: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

POSITION OPEN DATE: 3thMarch 2025

ADVERTISEMENT CLOSING DATE: until filled J

OB ID: 4082

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-Term/3-year contract, renewable. The 3rd contract is open-ended

ABOUT THEPOSITION

We are looking to recruit and hire highly experienced, motivated, productive, and accomplishedscholars/researchers at the forefront of Computational Chemistry, Materials Science, or AI/Robotics-related research in Chemistry andMaterials Science to help support our academic programme and research growth in this area. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a track recordof impactful research contributions in one or more of the following key areas: computational modeling of chemical systems, AI-drivenmaterials discovery/design, robotics for chemical synthesis, machine learning applications in chemistry, molecular dynamics simulations,quantum chemistry, nanomaterials, energy materials, or biomaterials.

Candidates with expertise in related fields but not directlylinked to AI/Computational Chemistry or Materials Science are also encouraged to apply, provided they have a truly outstanding profile ininterdisciplinary research, funding acquisition, and innovative work with industry. Priority will be given to those with a stronginternational reputation, a proven ability to secure external funding, and demonstrated excellence in academic supervision and researchmentorship. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing both teaching and research missions, fostering interdisciplinarycollaboration, and contributing to the dynamic growth of Chemistry and Materials Science at the institution.

ABOUTXJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool andXi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU bringstogether excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to securecareers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow toabout 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even splitbetween citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates andpostgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as partof its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education(SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College(Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arisingfrom the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, thecontinued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focuson innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role infacilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending theeducational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit theuniversity website: www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT THEDEPARTMENT

The Department belongs to the School of Science and focuses on Chemistry and Materials Science. It hasrecruited faculty from globally distinguished institutions working in these disciplines. Although relatively young, the Department hasalready established a solid reputation, as indicated by its large number of high quality research publications in impactful journals (Q1), growing number of grant awards to its staff (e.g., from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and major industry partners)and national and international research collaborations. It has state-of-the-art instrumentation housed in custom-built labs, and providesexcellent technical support. Current research areas include: Advanced materials, High-performance batteries and supercapacitors, Nano porousmaterials, Microfluidic-based biosensors, Nano-electrocatalysts - Energy nanomaterials, Biomaterials and their biomedical applications,High-throughput screening, Carbohydrates Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, and AI/Robotics for Chemistry among others. The Department isdedicated to providing an international environment for both teaching and research, with around half of its academic staff born out ofmainland China. The Department also collaborates closely with the newly established Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC), auniversity-level research center specialized in the development and application of novel materials.

The academic unit was firstestablished in 2010 as the Department of Chemistry and recently was renamed into the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science to betterdescribe its growing work and impact in the two fields. The Department currently delivers one undergraduate BSc programme in ‘AppliedChemistry’ and a BEng programme in ‘Materials Science and Engineering’ expected to start in September of 2025, two Masterprogrammes ‘MRes in Advanced Chemistry’ and ‘MRes in Materials Science and Engineering’ and a ‘PhD inChemistry.’ In 2017 our BSc in Applied Chemistry programme was accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the first RSCaccreditation of its kind in China.

Staff also benefit from the fact that Suzhou is a ‘hot-spot’ forbiotechnology/biomedical science and materials science research and entrepreneurship. Cold Spring Harbor Asia (http://www.csh-asia.org/index.html) is located within walking distance andthere are over 1000 biotechnology companies in BioBay (http://en.biobay.com.cn/main/index.asp) providing ample industry collaboration and entrepreneurship opportunities.

As a state-level economic and technical development zone (ETDZ), Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) boasted a No.1 ranking among 218 zones ofits kind in China for five consecutive years (2016-2020) by the Ministry of Commerce based on the zone‚Äôs comprehensive developmentlevel. The broader Suzhou area encompasses the spirit of both old and new in China, with the historic old town‚Äôs canals, UNESCO WorldHeritage Site gardens, and the I.M Pei-designed Suzhou Museum attracting millions of tourists annually. SIP offers an excellent quality oflife. The nearby Jinji Lake provides attractive views, by day and night, and there are a variety of shopping facilities, international andlocal restaurants, entertainment hubs and a great nightlife.  Suzhou became the world's largest industrial city in 2021, with thegross industrial output value reaching the milestone of 4 trillion RMB.

For more information: https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study/departments/school-of-science/chemistry-and-materials-science

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

‚Ä¢    To teach undergraduate and graduate students

‚Ä¢   To maintain active and productive research and obtain research funding

‚Ä¢    To carry out variousadministrative duties related to university teaching and research     (e.g., Research Officer, Lab Safety Officer, andExamination Officer etc.)

‚Ä¢    To supervise graduate students and support teaching and research staff

‚Ä¢   To establish an innovative and well-funded research group that is open to interdisciplinary collaboration that yieldsproductive research outcomes. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

‚Ä¢    Effective communicationskills; fluent in written and spoken English

‚Ä¢    Problem-solving/creativity

‚Ä¢    Adaptabilityand flexibility

‚Ä¢    Professionalism and work ethic

‚Ä¢    Interpersonal abilities to manage aresearch team

‚Ä¢    Positive attitude and energy

‚Ä¢    Diversity / Sensitivity

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCESEssential Requirements:

PhD Degree: A PhDdegree in Chemistry, Chemical Sciences, Materials Science, Computational Chemistry, or a related discipline is required.

Teaching Experience: Demonstrated teaching experience or strong potential for effective teaching.

Research Publications: Proven track record of high-quality, high-impact research publications.

PreferredQualifications:

Field of Expertise: Priority will be given to candidates with expertise inComputational Chemistry/Materials Science or AI/Robotics-related research in Chemistry/Materials Science.

Current Position: Candidates currently holding the position of Assistant Professor or above will be prioritized.

Research Leadership: Active engagement at the forefront of Chemistry and/or Materials Science, with a stronginternational research profile.

Funding Success: A successful history of securing external research funding.

Academic Supervision: Demonstrated ability in academic supervision and mentoring of UG and PG students.

The idealcandidate will combine excellence in both teaching and research, with a commitment to advancing knowledge in their field through innovativeapproaches and interdisciplinary collaboration.

CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONSEmployment at Xi’anJiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. Theseregulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas. Please be advised candidatesover 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT1. Clear career developmentpath with annual review.2. Professional development training is provided.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

BENEFITS:

1. Allowance: XJTLUprovide various month/annual/one-off allowances such as o Housing allowanceo Travel allowanceo Kids‚Äô education allowanceoRelocation allowanceo Etc.

2. Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and familymembers (for details please refer to the University Policy).

3. Paid holidays: 

o Statutory Holidays (13 days)

o Annual Leave (34 days)

o Family Matters Leave

o Paid Sick Leave

o Marriage Leave

o Paternity Leave

oParental Leave

o Etc.

4. Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visa and residencepermit in China for the staff.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application onour university website

https://career15.sapsf.cn/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=4082&company=xjtlu 

Applications must be submittedin a single pdf file that includes the following three parts in the order:

• A cover letter

‚Ä¢ A current CV,including date of birth, country of citizenship, and highest degree level‚Ä¢ Contact details for three referees 

Forenquiries relating to the position, please email acting Head of Department, Dr. Lifeng Ding, Lifeng.Ding@xjtlu.edu.cn and copy HR at Zhi.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn Please quote the position and job ID in your enquiry.