The Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM) was jointly founded in September 2012 by Xiamen University (XMU), Fudan University (FDU), the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), under the framework of the “Collaborative Innovation Program” of the Ministries of Education (MOE) and Finance of China (MOF), also known as the “2011-Plan” as launched in 2011 succeeding the widely-known National “211-Project” and “985-Project”.

To address the national strategic needs for energy, the iChEM center intends to establish a world-class discipline of energy chemistry that converge several conventional subjects including chemistry, energy and material sciences. Driven by the idea “chemistry as the basis, materials as the carrier, energy as the objective”, the center has strived to bring together the most talented scientists from the four pillar institutes to create a highly competitive platform at the international level that fosters collaboration and innovation. There are 11 members of the CAS (MCAS), 16 “Changjiang” scholars, 36 “National Distinguished Young Scientist Grant” awardees in the center. The center also have successfully operated fifteen key laboratories at either national or state level, and three out of six highest ranking state key laboratories in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The four pillar institutes have published many highly impact research papers in top international journals, and particularly the number of publications in Science, Nature and Nature family journals is ranked top among all Chinese universities/institutes.The centre encourages the development of international cooperation and exchange schemes; many collaborative links has been established with world-renowned research institutes abroad and over fifteen outstanding scientists including one Nobel Prize Laureate has participated the iChEM Fellow System.

One of the four member institutes, Xiamen University, is focusing on building up a team of postdoctoral researchers that are served as the main source of future faculty staff. The Xiamen City is a major city on the southeast coast of China, and routinely ranked among the top of “most suitable cities for living” in China. Sitting at the foot of a mountain where the Xiamen’s Botanic Garden is located, surrounded by the Xiamen’s Bay with easy access to the beach, adorned with Chinese traditional style buildings, tranquil lakes and tropical plants, Xiamen University is boasted by the Chinese netizen as the most beautiful campus in China. The university has made significant investment to improve a range of onsite facilities including accomodation to attract young talented researchers to work in Xiamen.

The postdoctoral positions are open for application worldwide on a rolling basis. There are two levels of positions, i.e. the iChEM Fellow and iChEM postdoctoral researcher, depending on experience and competence. The iChEM center sincerely welcomes early career researchers to join the team!

1. Application Requirements
1) 38 years old or under and Ph.D. Degree in related fields received in last three years.
2) Excellent oral and written communication skills in Chinese/English, and capability of working both in a team and independently.
3) Research experience in relevant areas and research plan aligned with at least one of priority themes of the center.

2. Priority research themes
1) Optimal Utilization of Carbon Resources
2) Chemical Energy Storage and Conversion
3) Solar Energy Conversion and Technology Transfer
4) New Energy Materials
5) Characterization of Energy Systems
6) X-Researches (new functional materials; reaction dynamics; energy conversion during the course of life; exploratory researches that have potential to generate long-term impacts)

3. Application Materials
1) Curriculum vitae
2) Personal statement that introduces educational and research background and demonstrates research ability and potential.
3) Research plan (collaborative projects involving two or more member institutes are particularly encouraged).
4) 2-3 recommendation letters from Ph.D. supervisors and/or postdoc advisors, etc.
5) Copies of academic degrees, representative achievements such as publications, passports/identity cards and other materials helpful for the application.

4. Benefits and Policy Support
1) The salary for iChEM postdocs varies depending on competence and qualification. For iChEM Postdoctoral Researcher, the gross salary is no less than 170,000 RMB per annum. Excellent candidates will be selected as iChEM Fellows, and for excellent fellows, their gross salary can be as high as 300,000 RMB per annum or more;
2) Temporary apartments provided or alternatively rental allowance offered;
3) The children of iChEM postdocs can enjoy the high-standard university kindergartens/schools, a privilege usually only offered to the university faculty staff.
4) Outstanding iChEM postdocs have the opportunity of joining the faculty of Xiamen University.

5. Contact Information
Please submit your application materials by email (2011-ic-chem@xmu.edu.cn) under the subject title of "To apply for iChEM Fellow…" or “To apply for iChEM Postdoctoral Researcher…”

Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM)
December 12, 2016