The Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (Beijing) and Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), together with the John Innes Centre in the UK, have established a joint Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Sciences (CEPAMS).

We wish to recruit up to ten tenure track Group Leaders to join this Centre, to be based either in Beijing or Shanghai. Group Leaders will run internationally outstanding and innovative research programmes. We are particularly interested in candidates in the areas of plant developmental genetics, crop improvement and plant and microbial natural products, but invite candidates from any field of plant and microbial sciences to apply.

These positions will be affiliated with both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the John Innes Centre. Successful candidates will be employed by CAS and based in new and dedicated CAS laboratories in either Beijing or Shanghai. Successful candidates will be expected to also apply to the CAS Pioneer Hundred Talents Program or the National Thousand Young Talents Program.

A CV with covering letter is requested for the application, which should include a list of representative publications, plus the names and contact details of three academic referees. In addition please provide statements of current and future research plans (no more than 3 A4 pages for each). Further information can be obtained from CAO Xiaofeng at xfcao@genetics.ac.cn (+86-10-64806631). Applications should be submitted to QI Lei by e-mail to cepams@genetics.ac.cn (+86-10-64806505).

Applications will be welcomed until all ten positions are filled. Two successful rounds have already resulted in offers of employment to outstanding candidates. There is no closing date, but the third sift for potential applicants will take place on January 15, 2017. The third round of interviews will take place in Norwich on March 29 and 30, 2016.

This recruitment exercise and any subsequent appointment are exclusively regulated by the employment law of the People’s Republic of China.