About XAO

Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO), under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was founded in 1957. With its headquarters in Urumqi, XAO maintains and operates 4 observation stations. The main observational facilities include the NanShan 26-m Radio Telescope, Nanshan One-meter Wide-field Telescope, Nanshan 1.2-m Optical Telescope. Moreover, as a major national science and technology infrastructure in astronomy, the QiTai radio Telescope has started construction. These facilities are also critical to providing sufficient observing power for China deep space exploration. 

The main research fields of XAO include pulsar emission and gravitational wave detection, star formation and evolution, galaxies and cosmology, astrochemistry, time domain optical astronomy and wide field survey, solar physics, space objects and debris, and astronomical techniques and methods. 

About NSFC Excellent Young Scholars Fund (Overseas)

The National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC) Excellent Young Scholars Fund (Overseas) aims to encourage overseas outstanding young scholars (including non-Chinese foreigners) who have made good achievements in natural science, engineering technology and other fields to return to China (come to China) for work. Scholars are encouraged to independently choose their own research directions and conduct innovative research, fostering a rapid development in scientific and technological youth talents. The program seeks to cultivate a number of outstanding academic backbones who are expected to enter the world's scientific and technological frontier, and contribute to the construction of a powerful country in science and technology.

Research Directions

The research directions include but are not limited to Pulsar emission and gravitational wave detection, Star formation and evolution, Galaxies and cosmology, Astrochemistry, High energy astrophysics,Time domain optical astronomy and wide field survey, Solar physics, Space objects and debris, Astronomical techniques and methods, Ultra-wideband microwave signal reception, Radio telescope control and structure analysis, Digital signal processing, Management of astronomical big data, etc.

Application Requirements

1. Comply with PRC law and academic integrity, consciously practice the spirit of scientists in the new era.

2. Born on or after Jan 1, 1984

3. Have a doctorate degree.

4. In principle, applicants shall have formal teaching or research position in an overseas university, college or scientific research institution and shall have such overseas work experience for more than consecutive 36 months before April 15, 2024. the required years of working may be reduced for the scholars who obtained doctorate degree overseas and with outstanding achievements).

5. Applicants should have made influential contributions and research achievements recognized by experts in the same field, and with the potential to become leading scientists or outstanding talents in the fields.

6. Applicants have not worked full time in China, or have returned (or come) to work in China after Jan 1, 2023. If applicants are informed to get fund, they should resign from their oversea positions and work full time in China for at least 3 years.

Restrictive Requirements

Adhere to the requirements of central authorities regarding the coordinated integration of national science and technology talent plans. Individuals at the same level of the national science and technology talent plan can only undertake one project and are not allowed to apply for projects at a lower level.

Supports

1.Position Employed as a senior professional and technical position.

2.Provide research startup funds according to national, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and local policies.

3.Working conditions: provide sufficient office, scientific research rooms, and other scientific research support.

4.Provide revolving apartments and housing subsidies; Assist with solving children's school and kindergarten enrollment issues; Arrange annual health check-ups for scholars.

XAO may implement a 'one person, one policy, case-by-case approval system' for talents or groups with outstanding achievements.

Application Procedures and Material Requirements

1.Please send your resume, educational certificates, work experience records, proof of main academic achievements, recommendation letters from experts in the relevant field, and any other related materials to wangwp@xao.ac.cn

2.After the preliminary review of the materials, we will notify the applicants to sign a letter of intent, and the online application form must be completed by April 15, 2024. 

“Guide for the National Natural Science Foundation Excellent Young Scientists Fund Program (Overseas)" (Chinese version) :  

https://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab442/info91697.htm

Contact us

Phone number: 0991-3838007、3689044

Email: wangwp@xao.ac.cn

XAO website: http://www.xao.ac.cn/; http://english.xao.ac.cn/