Faculty Positions in Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Engineering at Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University invites applications for full-time tenure-track, tenured, and research faculty positions at all ranks in Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Engineering. GIFT is one of the first 12 Institutes of Future Technology established by the Ministry of Education of China. Founded in 2021, GIFT is an independent institute within SJTU with its own faculty, facilities, students, and degree programs. English is the official language used for all instruction. We seek exceptional talent from around the world; international faculty can thrive at GIFT. The "About GIFT" section below describes further details.
Shanghai is a stunning international city with exceptional livability and a large expatriate community. Public transportation is superb. Personal and property safety are extraordinarily high. Excellent housing options are available at reasonable cost throughout the city and near campus. Shanghai offers restaurants, transportation, parks, arts, entertainment, and architecture equal or superior to those of major world cities. Its two international airports offer direct flights to major cities around the globe. China has an extensive nationwide high-speed train network.
Research focus
We invite applications in all fields related to Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Engineering. We welcome scholars from engineering, materials, physical and life sciences, and other related fields, including those working at the intersection of these disciplines with AI and data science.
Responsibilities
GIFT faculty are expected to establish vibrant research programs, mentor PhD students, participate in the international research community, and teach undergraduate and graduate classes.
Required qualifications
- Doctoral degree in a relevant field
- Demonstrated research accomplishment or potential
- Ability to teach effectively in English
Preferred qualifications
- Postdoctoral or faculty experience at a premier international institution
- At least three years of international research experience
- A strong publication record in leading journals
- Experience securing competitive research funding
- Demonstrated success in mentoring graduate students
- Interactions with technology industries and interest in technology transfer
- Recognition by peers in the field
Salary & benefits
GIFT provides highly competitive salary and a comprehensive start-up package. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Final terms will be negotiated with candidates. Support includes:
- Abundant start-up research funds
- Independent office space and ample laboratory space
- Housing allowance and transition housing in fully furnished apartments
- Relocation assistance and moving expenses
- Health insurance, including for family members
- Access to SJTU's 12 affiliated 3A hospitals
- Children's school enrollment resources
- Guaranteed PhD student quotas and prioritized master's student quotas for junior faculty
- Close collaboration with SJTU's State Key Laboratories and extensive research activities
- A working environment designed to enable faculty to concentrate on research without worries
Eligible candidates may also be considered for national and Shanghai talent programs, with additional support subject to program terms.
Application timeline & start date
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Start date is negotiable.
How to apply
Please email the following documents in a single PDF file to the GIFT Search Committee at gift-facultysearch@sjtu.edu.cn
- Curriculum vitae
- Copies of three representative publications
- Contact information of five referees
We may ask for additional materials, such as research and teaching statements, later in the process.
Visa & work authorization
GIFT seeks excellent scholars from around the world. Applications are encouraged from all nationalities. GIFT provides comprehensive support for international faculty:
- Work Permit Sponsorship: GIFT will sponsor eligible appointees for the Foreigner's Work Permit (Category A or B) and work-type residence permit.
- Document Authentication: Guidance through the document authentication and legalization process.
- Relocation Guidance: Assistance with housing, banking, and settling in Shanghai.
- Family Support: Information and assistance for accompanying family members, including school placement for children.
- Language: Mandarin is not required; all instruction and academic business can be conducted in English.
Contact
Ms. Zhang
Tel: 86-21 54741175-1507
Email: gift-facultysearch@sjtu.edu.cn
Address: East Wing of Yue-Kong Pao Library, No. 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
Website: https://gift.sjtu.edu.cn/
About GIFT
GIFT pursues a US-style model of world-class research and educational excellence. Its two core focus areas, future energy and future health, are fundamentally interdisciplinary, spanning engineering, science, and medicine. GIFT offers PhD, MS, and BS degrees in Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Technology, as well as a combined PhD-MD degree with SJTU’s Medical School and the nation-leading Ruijin Hospital.
GIFT has extraordinary resources and strong university and government support. It will occupy three new buildings starting in mid-2027, adding 60,000 square meters of new space. Its research and educational laboratory facilities are new and truly exceptional, and it has a major endowment for further investments. GIFT currently has 59 tenure-track faculty and 19 research faculty recruited from premier institutions, and current enrollment exceeds 400 students.
GIFT faculty collaborate closely with SJTU’s engineering, science, and medical schools and affiliated hospitals, which are among the best and most well-equipped in China. GIFT also works with leading high-tech companies and medical institutions, including CATL, Siemens, Huawei, Longi, United Imaging, and Ruijin Hospital.
GIFT has established 10+ interdisciplinary research centers, plus joint research centers with industry and a growing set of emerging thrust areas. These platforms give faculty the freedom and support to pursue cross-disciplinary research across all fields of engineering, materials, physics, chemistry, life sciences, medical technology, AI, and related fields.
Each faculty member can join or build a center-based team. GIFT encourages cross-school appointments and collaborations based on shared interests, moves beyond traditional KPIs, and supports faculty and students in exploring disruptive future technologies.
The current research centers include:
- SJTU-CATL Joint Research Center for Clean Energy Technologies
- SJTU/GIFT–Siemens Sustainable Technologies Research Center
- Innovation Center of Intelligent Connected Electric Vehicles
- Future Battery Research Center
- Future Photovoltaics Research Center
- Center for Future Zero-Carbon Systems and Technologies
- GIFT-SMART Center
- Center for Future Health and Intelligent Exercise
- Future Center for Interfacial and Advanced Materials Research
- Future Organic Optoelectronics Research Center
- Center for Future Display Technology
- Center for Cognition and Brain Health
- Center for Future Biomaterials
We have capacity to support internal research centers around senior faculty capable of leading a team, with several already in place (future batteries, photovoltaics, organic optoelectronics, microOLED, interfacial sciences, extreme manufacturing, intelligent vehicles, brain and cognitive health, sports health, etc.).
GIFT students are among China's best.
GIFT expects substantial continued faculty growth with positions filled on a continuing basis.
For several decades China has invested heavily in its major universities. This accelerating upward trajectory continues, with dramatic improvements in faculty, graduate students, buildings, equipment, access to research funding, and collaborative opportunities.
