Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University – Academy of Pharmacy
Contract: Fixed Term,Three-year renewable (third renewal converts to open-ended)
Appointment Type: Open Rank – Post-Doctoral Fellow, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Associate Professor, and Full Professor
ABOUT XJTLU
In 2006, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international English-speaking education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.
XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and an educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi'an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and the exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.
With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for the UK and other institutional partners. At the same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending educational theory, best practices, and cultures around the globe.
For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.
ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF PHARMACY (AOP)
Founded in 2020, the AoP is XJTLU’s flagship hub for pharmaceutical education, research, and industry engagement. Located in Suzhou’s thriving BioBay innovation corridor—often called “Chinese Pharma Valley”—the Academy has already recruited more than 40 full-time faculty, 500 undergraduate and 370 postgraduate students, and secured ¥70 million in collaborative industry funding.
Key research platforms
To accelerate bench-to-bedside translation, AoP operates seven integrated research platforms and associated core facilities:
- Drug Design, Screening & Discovery– computational chemistry, AI-assisted lead optimisation, high-throughput screening.
- Biomarker Discovery & Validation – proteomics, multi-omics, clinical assay pipelines.
- Intelligent Pharmaceutical Manufacturing – AI-driven continuous flow, quality by design, PAT sensors.
- Organoid-based Druggability Evaluation – 3D human-relevant disease models, efficacy & toxicity testing.
- Drug Delivery & Novel Formulation Research – nano and micro carriers, controlled release, targeted delivery.
- Pharmacometrics – population PK/PD, systems pharmacology, data science.
- Innovative Drug Lifecycle Regulation & Management – regulatory science, health technology assessment, market access.
Together, these platforms provide advanced instrumentation and professional technicians to support high-impact, interdisciplinary projects.
POSITION SUMMARY
We invite globally oriented scientists and scholar-educators to join any of AoP’s major thematic areas across the pharmaceutical sciences. Candidates may specialise in (but are not limited to):
- Computational & Experimental Drug Discovery
- Biomedical Data Science & Quantitative Pharmacology
- Advanced Therapeutic Modalities (gene, cell, protein, nucleic acid, conjugate-based)
- Novel Formulation & Drug Delivery Technologies
- Translational Biomarker & Diagnostic Development
- Intelligent/Automated Manufacturing & CMC Quality
- Regulatory Science, Health Economics & Drug Lifecycle Management
Successful appointees will be expected to forge vigorous research programmes that leverage the seven AoP platforms, deliver high-quality teaching (typically 1–2 modules per semester at undergraduate or postgraduate level), and cultivate industry or clinical collaborations that align with Suzhou’s biotech ecosystem.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Research
- Lead an internationally visible programme; publish in high impact journals.
- Win competitive external grants (provincial, national, international).
- Translate outputs toward patents, clinical/industrial applications where relevant.
Teaching
- Design and deliver modules within AoP’s BSc, MRes, MSc, and PhD pathways.
- Supervise undergraduate research projects, master’s dissertations and doctoral theses.
- Integrate research examples and innovative pedagogies (e.g., AI enhanced learning).
Service & Leadership
- Contribute to one or more AoP research platforms or academic committees.
- Mentor junior staff and students; foster a collegial, inclusive environment.
- Engage with industry, hospitals, and regulatory bodies to advance AoP’s mission.
QUALIFICATIONS & SELECTION CRITERIA
- Doctorate (or near completion) in pharmaceutical sciences, medicinal chemistry, bioengineering, biostatistics, chemical biology, pharmacology, data science, or a closely related discipline.
- Research record commensurate with rank—peer-reviewed publications, grant success, patents, or industrial deliverables.
- Teaching competence and a commitment to student-centred, English-medium instruction.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across disciplines and cultures.
- Prior experience with industrial, clinical, or regulatory translation is a plus.
SUPPORT & BENEFITS
- Start-up funding via XJTLU Research Development Fund (RDF) and Research Enhancement Fund (REF).
- Access to talent schemes (e.g., Jiangsu “Innovation & Entrepreneurship,” National Young Talents).
- State-of-the-art core facilities spanning the seven AoP platforms, plus central university research cores.
- Competitive salary benchmarked to leading Chinese and international universities.
- Relocation package covering flights, settling in, and housing subsidy.
- Family benefits include children’s education allowance (K-12), spouse work permit assistance.
- Leave: 36 days paid annual leave plus Chinese public holidays.
- Visa & residence services are managed by XJTLU’s HR Office.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
- Cover letter outlining research vision, teaching philosophy, and fit to AoP platforms.
- Curriculum vitae with publication list, funding record, and contact details of three referees.
- Research statement (max 3 pages) mapping 3 to 5-year goals and resource needs.
- Teaching statement (max 2 pages) summarising experience and planned innovations.
- Representative outputs (up to 5; may include preprints, patents, or software).
Apply online. Initial review will begin July 1st, 2025; positions remain open until suitable candidates are appointed.
CONTACT
For informal enquiries, please email Lidan.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn
