Introduction of the School of Light Industry and Engineering at SCUT
The School of Light Industry Science and Engineering at SCUT is located in the lush Wushan campus. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in China's light industry sector, with leading strengths in both research and talent development. The school’s discipline in Light Industry Technology and Engineering was among the first to be included in the national 211 Project and 985 Project for key development. It has consistently ranked the first in the national assessments of the first three rounds, and received an A+ rating in the fourth and fifth rounds. In 2017 and 2022, it was continuously selected as a discipline under the national Double First-Class initiative, maintaining a leading position and vivid growth in the country. With more than 70 years of development, the school has established a national academic hub for light industry, integrating high-level talent training, original innovation, engineering application, and social service. It has become one of the core forces leading the development of China’s pulp and paper industry.
Our fundamental mission is to focus on the forefront of global science and technology and serve the strategic needs of the nation. We are not only committed to achieving technological breakthroughs in key areas such as green low-carbon technologies, bio-based alternatives, intelligent manufacturing, and future materials, but also aspire to become the intellectual birthplace and a leader in technological transformation for the global development of light industry disciplines. Leveraging our deep academic foundation and continuous innovation, the school has established a wide-ranging influence in both the international academic and industrial communities, producing numerous national-level talents and occupying an important position in the global landscape of light industry science and technology. We sincerely invite talented young scholars and experts from around the world to join us, start an outstanding academic career here, integrate personal roadmaps into the tide of the era's development, and collectively shape a sustainable and intelligent future for light industry and technology.
The school has four national-level research and teaching platforms (the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Papermaking and Paper-based Materials, the National Engineering Research Center of Papermaking and Pollution Control, the Advanced Paper-based Materials Technology Innovation Center, and the National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Light Industry and Food Engineering) and nine provincial and ministerial-level research and teaching platforms (such as the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Wet-laid Nonwoven Fabrics and Membrane Functional Materials). We have established a comprehensive technological innovation system that spans basic research, technological development, pilot testing, and industrial transformation. Our school possesses the most comprehensive pulp and paper experiment and testing platforms in China, with instruments covering the entire preparation process of micro-nano materials, bio-based polymer functional materials, biomass catalytic conversion, new energy battery materials, and flexible electronic devices. We are equipped with internationally advanced systems for the full process of pulping and papermaking, pilot-scale systems, various types of electron microscopes, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), desktop synchrotron radiation, 3D CT, as well as in-situ characterization and finished product quality performance testing and analysis instruments. We place great emphasis on interdisciplinary research and warmly welcome outstanding talents from diverse fields, including materials, energy, biology, chemistry, environment, polymers, medicine, artificial intelligence, automation, and computer science, to join us in exploring frontier scientific issues and key critical technologies. We actively promote international dialogues and cooperation, support faculty and students in participating in international academic conferences and engaging in international collaborative projects, and offer valuable opportunities for joint research with top global universities and research institutions.
Future Research Directions (Addressing Global Challenges)
In alignment with the national Dual Carbon goals, the strategy for a strong manufacturing nation, the new materials strategy, and the future industrial layout, our key research directions (including but not limited to) are:
·Cellulosic Chemistry and Materials (cellulose chemistry, lignin chemistry, fiber materials, etc.)
·Green Pulping and Papermaking & Intelligent Manufacturing (pulping chemistry, green low-carbon biomass refining based on the pulping and papermaking platform, carbon reduction, etc.)
·Bio-based New Materials (biodegradable plastic alternatives, biomass composite materials, etc.)
·Advanced Paper-based Materials and Anti-counterfeiting Substrates (Micro-nano fiber structure regulation, optoelectronic paper-based materials, paper-based microfluidic chips, special pulp preparation and application, etc.)
·Key Materials for New Energy Batteries and Electronic Devices
·Biomass Chemistry and Environmental System Engineering
·AI Process Simulation and Computing
Application Requirements for Overseas Young Talents
1.Applicants must comply with the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China, possess good scientific ethics, and actively practice the spirit of scientists in the new era. Applicants should be born on or after January 1, 1986, and hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree.
2.After obtaining the Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree, applicants should generally have obtained a formal teaching or research position at overseas universities, research institutions, or corporate R&D organizations before April 15, 2026, with at least 36 months of continuous work experience. For those who obtained a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree overseas and have made outstanding achievements, the work experience requirement may be relaxed appropriately (this does not apply to those who obtained their overseas Ph.D. degree through Sino-foreign joint education programs). During their overseas employment, applicants who also hold a paid position in China will not be counted towards the overseas work experience.
3.Applicants must have achieved scientific, technological, or other accomplishments recognized by peers and demonstrate the potential to become academic leaders or outstanding talents in their field.
4.Applicants should not have returned to work full-time in China before the application, or should return to work in China after January 1, 2025. After receiving the funding notification, applicants must resign from their overseas position and return to work full-time in China for no less than three years.
Supporting Policies
Excellence in Development Pathways
1.Appointment as a Tenured Professor with a formal position in the career system.
2.High-End Research Platforms:In the past two years, the university has invested heavily in upgrading its existing research platform and equipment. Each discipline boasts internationally top-tier research conditions. The university owns 30 national-level and 255 provincial and ministerial-level research platforms, ranking among the top in the country. These platforms provide strong support for the generation of high-level innovative achievements.
3.Sufficient Start-up Funding:In addition to the national and Guangdong provincial matching funds, the university provides ample research start-up funding.
4.High-Quality Team Configuration:The university provides qualifications for doctoral and master's supervisors, ensuring a guaranteed quota for recruiting doctoral and master's students.
Generous Salary and Benefits
1.The university offers a competitive salary comparable to those at universities in Hong Kong and Macau.
2.Performance-based rewards will be provided based on work achievements.
3.Applicants will enjoy personal income tax preferential policies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
4.Applicants will receive personal living subsidies provided by the national and Guangdong provincial governments.
Strong Housing Support
The university provides generous settlement subsidies and also offers one on-campus rental housing unit (which can be rented for a long term at a discounted rate).
High-Quality Living Services
1.Enjoy public medical care, pension benefits for employees of public institutions, and other welfare benefits in accordance with professor-level standards.
2.Children can attend the affiliated kindergarten, primary school, and middle school of SCUT.
3.Apply for the Guangdong Province Youyue Card for talented individuals, enabling access to 14 public talent services such as household registration, social insurance, housing and car purchases, all available through a single online platform. Additionally, applicants will receive priority services in areas such as immigration, healthcare, transportation, loans, and children's education.
Professional Application Guidance
Guidance from authoritative experts, with multiple rounds of application support at the department and university levels. We provide full follow-up assistance, precise services across the entire process, and comprehensive support and assistance.
Application Process
We warmly welcome outstanding young scholars from around the world to join us! Please send the following materials to the designated email address:
·Detailed resume (including education, research experience, and representative achievements)
·A brief research proposal (within one page, outlining the research direction you plan to pursue)
Contact Email: xiaoxy@scut.edu.cn
Contact Person: Mrs. Xiao (+86-20-87112841)
School Website:https://www2.scut.edu.cn/qgkxygc/
Address: Building A, School of Light Industry and Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China
We sincerely invite you to join the School of Light Industry and Engineering at SCUT. Together, we will dedicate ourselves to organized scientific research, contributing to global sustainable development and the modernization of China.