Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Principal Investigator: Prof Ying Weng and Prof Alain Chong)

About Us

Join a unique British University in China. University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. Located in Ningbo, this award-winning campus offering a UK-style education has grown to establish a student body of over 9,000 in just 20 years.

About Postdoctoral Research Station in Business Administration

Postdoctoral research station in Business Administration was approved in Nov 2023. It is UNNC’s first postdoctoral research station, and its founding aligns with national strategic needs in promoting talent cultivation and innovation. UNNC’s undergraduate programme in Business Administration was launched in 2004 and the doctoral programme in 2009. The subject has been listed among the world’s top academic subjects by Shanghai Ranking for four consecutive years. The discipline has also established teaching and research platforms at multiple levels and carried out industry-university research cooperation with world-renowned enterprises such as Microsoft and Amazon. UNNC will incorporate the postdoctoral research station into its agenda to support scientific and technological innovation as well as economic and social development.

About the Research Team

Prof. Alain Chong: Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Partnerships and Chair Professor of Information Systems at UNNC. His research explores digital innovation, disruptive technologies, and their impact on business and society. Co-Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Management & Data Systems and Associate Editor for Information & Management and Decision Support Systems. More info

Prof. Ying Weng: Course Director for Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, Professor in Computer Science. PhD in Signal & Information Processing at Chinese Academy of Sciences, Postdoctor at Imperial College London. Awards include Newton Research Collaboration Award, Best Paper Award at International Conference on Automation & Computing, and 1st Place in ASNR-MICCAI BraTS Challenges. Member of Editorial Board for Expert Systems with Applications, Elsevier. More info

About the Project

This project aims to advance neuro-oncology by building a comprehensive multimodal brain tumor database that integrates imaging, patient records, and digital pathology. Using explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques, the system enables non-invasive determination of tumor pathology, reducing reliance on invasive biopsies and accelerating diagnostic processes. Beyond classification, the platform provides personalized, evidence-based treatment recommendations. Transparent AI insights improve diagnostic accuracy, support clinical decision-making, and reduce cognitive workload for physicians. Ultimately, the system contributes to standardized and efficient precision medicine in brain tumor care. Candidates are expected to submit a research proposal based on this project summary.

Your Responsibility

Your key responsibilities include:

• Design and Develop Research: Formulate clear research objectives and contribute to the development of proposals for individual and collaborative projects, applying established and emerging methodologies to advance the research agenda.
• Conduct and Analyze Research: Collect, manage, and rigorously analyze complex datasets; interpret results, critically evaluate existing literature, and generate original insights that align with project goals.
• Disseminate Findings: Prepare high-quality manuscripts for submission to leading journals, present research at national and international conferences, and contribute to the visibility and impact of the research team.
• Secure Funding: Identify opportunities and contribute to the preparation of competitive grant applications to national and international funding bodies.
• Build Networks and Collaborations: Engage with internal colleagues and external partners (academic, clinical, and industry) to exchange ideas, explore opportunities for collaboration, and establish partnerships that strengthen research outcomes.

About You

• Qualifications: PhD awarded within 3 years in business administration, computer science, information systems, data science, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Programming & Data Skills: Strong proficiency in Python (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow); additional experience with R, MATLAB, or Julia is an advantage.
• Machine Learning Expertise: Familiarity with supervised/unsupervised learning (regression, classification, clustering), ensemble methods, and deep learning architectures (CNNs, RNNs). Experience with explainable AI (e.g., SHAP, LIME) and radiomics preferred.
• Quantitative Analysis: Demonstrated ability to handle multimodal datasets, conduct statistical analysis, and apply predictive modeling and validation techniques.
• Research & Publication: Skilled at critically reviewing literature, designing rigorous studies, and producing publications for high-impact journals.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent oral and written English communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings clearly. Knowledge of Chinese is a plus. Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Practical Experience: Prior hands-on research in healthcare, medical imaging, AI applications, or digital innovation will be an asset.

Your Remuneration, Benefits and Support

You will be offered a fixed-term contract initially with UNNC for 2 years, with a minimum annual salary package of RMB 269,906 and a competitive benefits package. Postdoctoral Research Fellows are also eligible to apply for RMB 50,000 research funding after starting their research.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an application via our online application system before Oct 15, 2025. Only online applications will be accepted. Referees will be contacted prior to interviews, which will take place in Ningbo, China.

Application link: https://jobs.nottingham.edu.cn/job/184366/

Applications should include:

• A cover letter
• An up-to-date CV including academic and research achievements
• A research proposal (refer to the attached project summary)

Enquiries

Informal enquiries regarding the research project may be addressed to Ying Weng or Alain Chong. If unable to apply online, please contact the Human Resources Office, Tel: 86 574 88180000 (Ext. 8854).