Long-term Recruitment: XIEG Invites Global Talent to Work in Xinjiang

The Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), a key institution within the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was officially formed on July 7, 1998, uniting the Xinjiang Institute of Biology, Pedology, and Desert Research (founded 1961) and the Xinjiang Institute of Geography (founded 1965). Since its inception, XIEG has long been dedicated to research in the fields of arid land ecology and geography. Its work addresses critical issues such as natural resource development in arid regions, ecological restoration, environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and regional sustainable development. It plays a vital role in advancing ecological and environmental studies in the arid regions of Central Asia. XIEG is committed to the long-term recruitment of scientific and technological talent worldwide in the field of arid land resources and environment. We warmly welcome you to Xinjiang to join our pioneering efforts in arid land science and technology.

I. Recruitment Fields and Disciplines

Recruitment Fields: Water cycle and water resource security in arid regions; Desertification processes and the construction of ecological barriers in arid regions; Human-environment interactions and sustainable development in arid regions.

Recruitment Disciplines: Physical Geography; Human Geography; Ecology; Biology; Geology; Botany; Zoology; Microbiology; Environmental Science; Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Remote Sensing Science and Technology; Earth Exploration and Information Technology; Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control; Other related disciplines.

II. Recruitment Categories and Requirements

(1) Leading Scientific and Technological Talents

Age ≤ 50 years; Extensive research experience, high academic level, strategic vision, and international outlook.

Overseas talents: Associate Professor or above (or equivalent) at renowned overseas research institutes, universities, or R&D institutions of large enterprises.

Domestic talents: Professor or equivalent at top Chinese universities or national research institutes.

(2) Outstanding Young Talents

Age ≤ 40 years; Recognized achievements in basic research or technological R&D, with the potential to become a leading talent;

At least 3 years of research experience, or experience serving as an Associate Professor or in an equivalent position;

For candidates who obtained a Ph.D. degree overseas with particularly outstanding performance, the work experience requirement may be appropriately relaxed.

Special Program - "PhD Talent from East China to West China": Age ≤ 40 years; candidates who have completed at least one full term as a Special Research Assistant, or who have completed their full-time postdoctoral fellowship, with recognized achievements in basic research or technological R&D.

(3) Special Research Assistant (Full-time Postdoctoral Fellow)

Age ≤ 35 years; obtained Ph.D. degree, or successfully defended doctoral dissertation; at least two representative research outputs/publications.

Candidates with outstanding performance may be granted an appropriate relaxation of the age requirement. Prospective applicants are welcome to inquire for further information.

III. Compensation and Benefits

(1) Leading and Young Talents

Employment Type and Position: Institutional appointment with senior professional/technical positions.

Start-up Research Funding: Supported by a combination of policies at various levels, with RMB 6-22 million for leading talents, RMB 2-12 million for outstanding young talents, and RMB 1-12 million under the “PhD Talent from East China to West China” program. Support is also provided for forming young scientist teams.

Remuneration: Contract-based salary scheme, negotiable on a case-by-case basis.

Other Benefits: Fully furnished transitional housing; assistance with children’s enrollment in kindergarten and school; comprehensive health check-ups, and more.

(2) Full-time Postdoctoral Fellows

Competitive remuneration within the industry.

Eligible candidates may apply for the Special Research Assistant Program funding for salary support payments.

Provision of transitional housing or housing subsidies;

Managed in accordance with public institution staffing standards, with eligibility for promotion in professional and technical positions.

IV. Application Submission via QR Code

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Additional Documents (to be compiled into a single PDF), including but not limited to:

Cover page of representative publications;

Degree certificates and diplomas;

Documentation of major research projects;

Certificates of important awards and other achievements.

Please scan the QR code to fill in and submit the above materials.

Contact (for inquiries on recruitment policies):

Mr. Liu

Email: liuxiang@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Tel: 0991-7885503

V. Research Team Profiles and Candidate Qualifications

Please find details in the attachment at the end of this webpage.

VI. Scientific Achievements and Platform Development of XIEG

XIEG has been rooted in China's border region for over 60 years, conducting extensive long-term experiments, field surveys, and targeted studies in arid land resources and environmental research. Over this period, it has amassed a wealth of scientific data, produced significant scientific achievements, and received nearly 400 awards at international, national, and provincial/ministerial levels. In basic research, XIEG has achieved original breakthroughs in studies on water resources in Northwest China’s arid regions, recognized as a landmark achievement of the first phase of the CAS Pioneer Initiative. It has produced pioneering results in the conservation and utilization of biological resources, safeguarding biological resource security, and promoting green development in arid zones. Additionally, XIEG has made systematic achievements in frontier research on metallogeny and the tectonic structure of orogenic belts in Central Asia, integrating and demonstrating new technologies. In technological applications, XIEG's achievements in desertification control and ecological restoration have been implemented in Central Asia and Africa, benefiting local livelihoods and environmental protection. Its cotton high-yield technology has achieved a world record in cotton yield for three consecutive years and was recognized among China's Top Ten Scientific Advances in 2001. By contributing to the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Tianshan Mountains, XIEG has significantly supported the development of Xinjiang's tourism industry. In addition, XIEG established the China-Tajikistan Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use and initiated a dialogue mechanism among national research institutions in China and Central Asia, thereby consolidating its role as a strategic scientific and technological hub for regional cooperation.

XIEG hosts several national-level research platforms, including the State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, the Center for the Conservation and Study of Biological Resources in Arid Lands, the Yili-Turpan National Botanical Garden (one of the 14 candidate national botanical gardens in China), and the National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction. It also operates 12 field stations, including three national-level stations, which together form a comprehensive ecological observation and research network spanning the whole region of Xinjiang.