The Puyuan Institute of Future Technologies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of the first 12 Future Technology Institutes established by China’s Ministry of Education. Officially approved for development in May 2021 and named in December 2022, the institute serves as a pilot site for innovative approaches in higher education. It welcomed its first group of undergraduates in September 2023.
The institute is committed to breaking boundaries across disciplines, learning models, and institutions as it explores the creation of an industry-education integrated system with global impact and Chinese characteristics. The institute aims to nurture future-ready, globally minded scientific leaders to serve strategic emerging industries.
About the Overseas Scholars Meet & Greet
The event includes an overview of the institute, interactive sessions with faculty, and opportunities for in-depth discussion. It aims to provide overseas scholars with a deeper understanding of the institute’s development strategy, talent model, and faculty recruitment policies. We look forward to welcoming passionate scholars to help shape a bold future through innovation and collaboration.
Event Information
Oxford Session
- Date: Monday, June 30
- Time: 9:00–11:00 AM
- Location: Department of Engineering, University of Oxford
London Session
- Date: Tuesday, July 1
- Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
- Location: King’s College London
Event locations are subject to change; please scan the QR code to register and stay informed.
How to Register
Scholars interested in learning more about the Puyuan Institute and its opportunities are encouraged to attend. Please register via the link or QR code below:
Registration link: https://wj.sjtu.edu.cn/q/NT3yYq8E
Research Areas & Focus
Focusing on the two major future themes of energy and health, the institute promotes boundary-breaking, disruptive technology research in areas such as:
- Next-generation batteries
- Advanced photovoltaics
- High-efficiency energy storage
- Extreme manufacturing
- Biomanufacturing
- Electric mobility
- Low-carbon agriculture
- Organic optoelectronics
- Future display technologies
- Brain and heart health
- Sports and physical wellness
- Nutritional science
- Whole-life-cycle health
Special emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary topics related to AI and large models. The institute also welcomes exceptional early-career researchers from the following fields: materials science, chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, energy, information science, life sciences, and biomedicine.
Available Positions
Tenure-track Faculty
- Tenured Professor
- Tenured Associate Professor
- Tenure-track Associate Professor
Research Faculty
- Research Professor
- Associate Research Professor
- Assistant Research Professor
Visiting Delegation
Prof. Tianshu Ge
Distinguished Professor, Party Secretary of the Puyuan Institute of Future Technologies
Research Areas: Solid-state dehumidification air conditioning, atmospheric water harvesting, direct air capture of CO₂
Haibo Han
Deputy Party Secretary, Puyuan Institute of Future Technologies
Professor Weiliang Xia
Professor, Vice Dean of the Puyuan Institute of Future Technologies
Research Areas: Tumor progression, mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, novel therapeutic targets, and exosome biology and applications
Associate Professor Xiangwen Gao
Research Areas: Solid-state lithium-metal batteries, lithium-air batteries, multivalent ion batteries
Contact Information
Phone: +86-21-54741175-1507
Email: gift-facultysearch@sjtu.edu.cn
About the Institute
The Puyuan Institute of Future Technologies at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of the first 12 Future Technology Institutes announced by China’s Ministry of Education. As a pilot institute for innovative approaches in higher education, Puyuan is dedicated to breaking boundaries—across learning formats, academic disciplines, and institutional structures. It aims to develop an industry-education integrated system with global influence and distinct Chinese characteristics, preparing strategic, internationally minded leaders for future-oriented industries.
Puyuan is the first in China to launch two pioneering undergraduate majors: Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Technology. The institute has established a student-centered, excellence-oriented education system across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, which includes:
- A personal academic advising system for undergraduates
- Customized learning paths to build interdisciplinary foundations
- An evaluation model that encourages well-rounded development
- Extensive collaboration across industry, academia, and research to promote innovation
- Global partnerships and international exchanges to foster global leadership
Leveraging SJTU’s longstanding strengths in science, engineering, biomedicine, and management, the institute drives large-scale interdisciplinary research tailored to the needs of future industrial transformation. It has established research centers in areas such as:
- Future Batteries
- Next-Generation Photovoltaics
- Extreme Manufacturing
- Intelligent Connected Vehicles
- Brain Health
- Physical Performance & Sports Health
- Human Digital Twins
These centers are supported by leading domestic and international technology enterprises. The institute is also developing new models for technology transfer and innovation, providing foundational resources, talent pipelines, and translational platforms to advance productivity and fuel socio-economic development.
Officially approved for development in May 2021 and named in December 2022, the institute serves as a pilot site for innovative approaches in higher education. It welcomed its first group of undergraduates in September 2023. Since then, the institute has already recruited more than 30 full-time faculty members, 75% of whom come from top 100 global universities.
By 2025, the Puyuan Institute aims to assemble a world-class faculty team of over 100 members, led by global academic leaders, to establish a new talent development model through industry-education integration.
By 2030, the institute hopes to generate major research breakthroughs.
By 2035, the institute aims to stand at the forefront of global innovation, driving breakthrough technologies and developing a new generation of visionary leaders equipped to shape the future.
The institute is named “Puyuan” in honor of Mr. Robin Zeng, distinguished SJTU alumnus and founder of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.). Its motto, which literally translates to “a vast and deep spring of knowledge, advancing with the sun”, draws inspiration from classical Chinese literature and university symbolism:
- “Pubo Yuanquan” (溥博渊泉) comes from The Doctrine of the Mean, symbolizing intellectual breadth, cultural depth, and openness
- “Yuri Jujin” (与日俱进) is inscribed on the university’s ancient sundial, representing continuous excellence in step with the times
The institute’s English name is the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT)—a reflection of its mission to refine gifted scholars through world-class mentorship while nurturing the gifted talents of tomorrow.
Located in the heart of SJTU’s Minhang Campus and situated alongside Siyuan Lake and the Bao Yugang Library, the Puyuan Institute’s new 60,000-square-meter facility is currently under construction in North Minhang and slated for completion by 2026. Once completed, it will stand alongside CATL’s Shanghai Research Institute to form a “Twin Towers” hub—set to become a landmark for cutting-edge collaboration between academia and industry within Shanghai’s dynamic Grand NeoBay Innovation Zone.
