I. Program Introduction

The Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas), established by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), aims to attract and encourage outstanding young scholars (including non‑Chinese foreign nationals) who have already achieved notable accomplishments in natural sciences, engineering technology, and related fields to return to (or come to) China to work. The program supports recipients in independently choosing their research directions and conducting innovative research, promotes the rapid growth of young scientific and technological talents, and cultivates a cadre of outstanding academic leaders expected to reach the frontiers of world science and technology, thereby contributing to the building of China into a strong nation in science and technology. We sincerely invite excellent overseas scholars to apply for this fund through the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University.

II. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Abide by the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China, demonstrate scientific integrity, and actively practice the “spirit of scientists in the new era”.

2. Born on or after January 1, 1986.

3. Hold a doctoral degree.

4. The applicant’s research direction is mainly in the fields of natural sciences and engineering technology.

5. After obtaining the doctoral degree and before June 15, 2026, applicants should generally have held formal teaching or research positions in prestigious overseas universities, research institutions, or corporate R&D departments, with at least 36 months of continuous work experience. For those who obtained a doctoral degree overseas with particularly outstanding achievements, the work experience requirement may be appropriately relaxed (this relaxation does not apply to cases where the overseas doctoral degree was obtained through a Sino‑foreign joint training program). For applicants who concurrently held a salaried position in China during their overseas employment, the work period of the domestic position will not be counted towards the required overseas work experience.

6. Have obtained peer‑recognized scientific, technical or other achievements, and demonstrate the potential to become an academic leader or outstanding talent in the field.

7. Applicants must either have not yet taken up full‑time employment in China, or have returned (or come) to China for full‑time work after January 1, 2025. Upon receipt of the funding notification, the grantee must resign from any overseas employment and work full‑time in China for no less than three years.

8. Restrictions on Applications: In accordance with the requirements for the overall coordination of national science and technology talent programs, an applicant may hold only one program of the same level among national talent programs. Within the same application year, an applicant may apply for only one program. Reverse‑level applications (applying for a lower‑tier program when already holding a higher‑level talent title) are not permitted.

III. Position Offered

Applicants who apply through us and are successfully awarded the Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) will be appointed, in accordance with relevant policies, as Distinguished Professor of Shenzhen University. The appointee will be included in the university’s high‑level talent management system and provided with premium services. The appointee will also be directly recognized as eligible to supervise doctoral students.

IV. Supportive Conditions

Shenzhen University provides comprehensive and diverse social security, welfare benefits, and a favorable research environment.

1. Remuneration

The salary for Distinguished Professors is negotiated on a case‑by‑case basis, offering a highly competitive and generous compensation package.

2. Funding Support

In addition to national, provincial and municipal research funding, the university will provide substantial research start‑up funds for Distinguished Professors.

3. Team Building

Each Distinguished Professor’s team will be allocated one faculty position, one full‑time research fellow, an unlimited quota for recruiting postdoctoral fellows, and preferential allocation of graduate student enrollment quotas.

4. Housing

Appointees may apply for university transitional housing with discounted rent. Those who meet the requirements may enjoy Shenzhen’s talent housing policies (subject to the final official documents issued by the government).

5. Education Support

The SZU Affiliated Education Group administers 4 middle schools, 4 primary schools and 3 kindergartens, effectively ensuring quality schooling for the children of faculty and staff.

6. Healthcare

Appointees will enjoy the talent healthcare services provided by the Shenzhen municipal government. With 25 affiliated/teaching hospitals, Shenzhen University offers quality medical services for faculty and staff.

7. Employee Benefits

The university provides special sports funds and well‑equipped sports facilities; annual health check‑ups and meal subsidies; and a rich variety of trade union activities.

8. Greater Bay Area Advantages

Eligible candidates may benefit from preferential individual income tax policies in the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area and convenient immigration and exit‑entry policies.

For more information on benefits and support, please refer to the announcement on the website of the Human Resources Department of Shenzhen University (https://hr.szu.edu.cn/info/1007/23061.htm). In case of any discrepancy, the official announcement of the Human Resources Department of Shenzhen University shall prevail.

V. Contact Information

We welcome you to apply through us. We will provide full‑process guidance and support, including one‑on‑one assistance throughout the application and review stages.

Interested scholars are invited to send a detailed CV to yangkenan@szu.edu.cn, with the email subject line formatted as “Name + Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Overseas) Application”. Please include in the email your date of birth, mobile phone number, nationality, discipline, research direction and field, and your current affiliation and position.

Contact: Ms Yang

Tel: +86‑0755‑26732032

Email: yangkenan@szu.edu.cn

We encourage outstanding scholars to contact us by phone or email for inquiries and communication!