Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of China’s oldest and distinguished institutions, with a legacy of excellence that stretches back over a century. Renowned both nationally and internationally, SJTU is a national “Double First-Class” university jointly supported by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government. Today, the university thrives as a dynamic hub of innovation, cutting-edge research, and global collaboration.
School of Automation and Perception
In response to China’s mission to become a global leader in science and technology, the School of Automation and Perception at SJTU has adopted an ambitious approach to advance self-reliance in innovation. By focusing on talent-driven growth and actively aligning with national and municipal-level talent programs, the School is working to cultivate a vibrant, world-class ecosystem for academic and research excellence.
Driven by its commitment to national advancement and academic excellence, SJTU has built a strong, international faculty. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation’s Innovation Research Group, the School currently has 183 full-time faculty members, including 59 professors, 4 IEEE Fellows, and a distinguished roster of talent awardees: 18 recipients of national-level talent programs, 29 recipients of national youth talent programs (including 6 recent awardees of the Overseas Outstanding Youth program), and 88 honorees in provincial and ministerial-level initiatives.
Academic Excellence
The School offers two first-level academic disciplines: Control Science and Engineering (a first-round Double First-Class discipline and one of the earliest national key disciplines) and Instrumentation Science and Technology, both established in 1958. These disciplines have a deep-rooted history shaped by academic pioneers such as Academician Wuhua Zhu, a leading figure in radio and underwater acoustics, and Academician Zhongjun Zhang, a founding figure in automatic control and systems engineering.
Additionally, the School emphasizes original, interdisciplinary, and foundational research in order to stay at the forefront of global academic trends while addressing national priorities. It plays a vital role in the nation’s innovation goals by leading major research projects and developing generations of outstanding scientific talent.
Research Platforms
The School actively contributes to the development of national research and education platforms, including:
- National Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Artificial Intelligence
- National Key Laboratory for Avionics Integration Systems
- National Key Laboratory for Submarine Science and Boundary Delimitation
- National Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology and Applications
- International S&T Cooperation Base for Nanotechnology and Applications (Ministry of Science and Technology)
- National Demonstration Center for Electrical and Electronic Experimental Education
It also hosts 12 provincial and ministerial platforms, such as:
- Ministry of Education Key Lab for System Control and Information Processing
- Collaborative Innovation Platform for Intelligent Autonomous Unmanned Systems
- Shanghai Key Lab for Beidou Navigation and Positioning Services
- Shanghai Key Lab for Industrial Network Sensing and Control
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Industrial Intelligent Control
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Medical Instruments
- Quantum Communication Research Lab at the Hefei National Laboratory
Recruitment Areas
We are seeking talented young scholars engaged in research across the following areas:
- Control Science and Engineering
- Instrumentation Science and Technology
- Electronic Science and Technology
- Computer Science and Technology
- Information Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Optical Engineering
- Applied Physics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Optics
Key research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Sensing and control in industrial network systems
- Control and optimization of complex systems
- Autonomous intelligent unmanned systems
- Intelligent robotics
- Smart positioning and Beidou navigation
- Novel sensors and intelligent detection technologies
- Medical robotics and advanced diagnostic systems
- Fundamental AI theories and interdisciplinary applications involving quantum sensing, quantum communication, nano-engineering materials, protein structure prediction, and complex network dynamics
Priority will be given to candidates working in the following two fields:
- Deep-sea exploration and information processing
- Avionics technologies
Program Overview
To strengthen the talent funding system and attract international scholars, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) launched the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas). This program seeks to attract exceptional early-career researchers—including non-Chinese nationals—who have made significant contributions in the natural sciences or engineering to pursue their work in China. Participants are encouraged to independently choose their research direction and carry out innovative projects.
The program aims to advance science and technology on the global stage by promoting the development of the next generation of scientific leaders and researchers.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Comply with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, demonstrate high standards of scientific integrity, and maintain a commitment to professionalism and responsible research conduct.
2. Be born on or after January 1, 1985.
3. Hold a Ph.D. degree.
4. Specialize in natural sciences, engineering, or related fields.
5. By April 15, 2025, applicants should have held a formal teaching or research position for at least 36 consecutive months in an overseas university, research institution, or R&D division of a company after obtaining their Ph.D.
- For those who earned their Ph.D. abroad and have demonstrated exceptional achievements, this work experience requirement may be relaxed.
6. Have recognized research or technological achievements endorsed by peers, with clear potential to become a leading scholar in their field.
7. Must not currently be employed full-time in China or must have returned (to work in China) after January 1, 2024. Upon receiving the grant, the applicant must resign from any overseas position and commit to working full-time in China for a minimum of three years.
Application Restrictions
This program follows the national coordination policies for science and technology talent programs:
- Applicants may only apply to one program within the same tier of national talent initiatives.
- Cross-tier or reverse-tier applications are not permitted.
Benefits and Support
Accepted candidates will receive the following benefits and support:
1. Tenure-track appointment as Associate Professor at SJTU.
- Those already in a tenured position abroad may apply for tenured Associate Professor.
- Ph.D. student supervision qualification and priority in student recruitment will be granted.
2. Highly competitive salary and benefits, including:
- Relocation and housing subsidies in accordance with university policies
- Performance-based bonuses for research and teaching contributions as per school regulations
3. In addition to the RMB 1–3 million in research funding provided by the national program, matching research funds will be provided by the university and school.
4. Flexible research development options:
- Join an existing research team
- Build an independent team
- Conduct research independently
5. Support for cross-disciplinary collaboration through partnerships with other departments, institutes, or research centers within SJTU.
6. Access to premium medical services through SJTU’s network of 13 affiliated hospitals.
7. Assistance in spousal job placement and child education, including admission support to SJTU-affiliated kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools.
8. Fully furnished transitional faculty apartments are provided in accordance with university policies and come ready for immediate move-in with complete amenities.
9. For exceptional candidates, terms and compensation can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Application Guidelines
Required documents:
- A current CV
- 2–3 letters of recommendation (if available)
- 3–5 representative achievements, such as academic papers, patents, or applied research results
Please send application materials to the following contact:
Ms. Xia Li
Email: li_xia@sjtu.edu.cn
We warmly welcome global talent to apply and join us in shaping the future of innovation.
