The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) of Zhengzhou University (ZZU) is a newly constituted entity designed according to the new system in ZZU to build top-level disciplines, enhance the University’s capability and capacity in science and technology innovation, and promote internationalization of medical and scientific research. AMS recruited Professor Nick Lemoine as the Dean, who is a renowned specialist in translational medicine and academic administration. Nick is a Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, as well as the Medical Director of the Clinical Research Network of the National Institute for Health Research in the UK. The Cell and Gene Therapy Center is led by Professor Wang Yaohe, who is an expert in cell and gene therapy for cancer at Queen Mary University of London.
The center is developed from the Sino-British Research Center for Molecular Oncology jointly established by ZZU and Queen Mary University of London in 2006. Over the last 10 years, the center has focused on design and construction of cell and gene therapies, and made translation of novel approaches to tumor control as its key point. They have secured key project, general project and young investigator grants from the National Natural Science Foundation, an international key special project grant funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, China-UK Innovation Awards and Chinese-European Pathology Award, three discovery patents, as well as publishing papers in the top international journals.
In 2014, this Center was approved to be the first National Cell and Gene Therapy International Research Center by the Ministry of Science and Technology in China.
Recently, the Center has built several advanced technology platforms:
- Technology Platform for Construction and Purification of Virus Vectors for Gene Therapy
- Evaluation Technology Platform using Novel Transgenic Animal Models for Evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness of Advanced Therapeutics
- Research and Development Platform for Cancer Immunotherapy in Prevention and Therapy
- Technology Platform for Cellular Gene Editing
Recently, the Center has made important advances in the study of new vaccines based on oncolytic viruses, as well as developing novel animal models of disease. The specially designed facilities for preparation of cell and gene therapies meeting international GMP standards have been constructed by ZZU, which will accelerate translational studies towards clinical trials in cancer patients.
As part of the “International Talent Zone” strategy of AMS and the development plans of the center, new Principal Investigators, staff scientists and postdoctoral research staff are now being recruited.
1. Two Principal Investigator positions as Senior Professor
Requirement: To be considered for Principal Investigator/Senior Professor, the candidate should be a Professor in an overseas University or research institute, younger than 55 years old, be working in the field of cell and gene therapy, and made significant achievements in tumor biology, stem cell biology, immunology or virology. The researcher will have directed research with international influence, and published highly cited papers in the leading international journals as a corresponding author, developed cutting-edge technology, acquired patents, and other markers of esteem. ZZU will help outstanding candidates to apply for the “Thousand Talents Plan”.
2. Two Principal Investigator positions as Professor/Associate Professor
Requirement: the candidate should have a PhD degree with several years of postdoctoral training or industrial experience, be working in the fields of cancer biology, immunology, stem cells, virology, systems biology (bioinformatics) etc. The candidate should have a track-record for excellence in research and potential to become a leader of his/her field. Depending on the overall qualification, the applicant can be considered for professor or associate professor. ZZU will help the outstanding candidates to apply for the “Thousand Young Talents Plan”.
3. Four Staff Scientists
Requirement: the candidate should be younger than 40 years old with a PhD degree in the field of biomedical sciences and scientific publications in highly cited journals as the first author. The candidates will be capable of working independently and supervising postdocs, postgraduate students and other young scientists in the group. The candidates should also have strong communication as well as writing skills, and are expected to be an independent researcher within five years.
4. Five Research Assistants
Requirement: the candidates should be younger than 35 years old with a PhD degree in the field of life sciences, having the essential requirement for enrollment of ZZU. The candidates have to show the potential as a competent researcher, evidenced by published original research papers in SCI journals as the first author. The candidates will be able to supervise postgraduate students and undergraduate students in the group.
5. Four postdoctoral Fellows
Requirement: The candidates will have been awarded a PhD degree in the field of biomedical sciences, and previous research experience in cancer cell and gene therapy would be preferable. The potential candidates should have at least one publication as the first author in a peer-reviewed journal.
Salary and Package:
Successful candidates will be provided with an internationally competitive salary and generous start-up packages, appropriate lab space, together with other benefits. The initial appointment for PIs will be 5 years. For other posts it will be 3-5 years by negotiation. Renewal of the appointment will be based on merit and is conditional upon passing reviews by an international committee.
How to apply for the potential positions:
The prospective applicants should send a curriculum vitae and statement of research interests and future plan, and arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation sent to zhzhx110@zzu.edu.cn. The applicants passing the initial selection will be invited for a formal interview for which ZZU will cover all the costs.
Contact information.
National Cell and Gene Therapy International Research Center, AMS,ZZU
40 Daxue Road, Erqi District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province
Post Code: 450052
Tel: 086 371-66658163；15515632151
E-mail: zhzhx110@zzu.edu.cn
Contact: Zhongxian Zhang
Note: This information will be effective until the post is taken.
