Join

I am looking for talented and self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in joining our team, please email me at bzhu@bit.edu.cn.

Potential projects can be (but not limited to):

• Data-driven materials design and discovery for energy materials.
• Machine learning interatomic potentials for large-scale simulations and crystal structure prediction.
• Surface and solid-solid interfaces.

Background in physics, chemistry, materials science is preferred but not mandatory. Programming skills in Python, Julia, Fortran are highly desirable. Publishing track-record in high-impact journals is a plus.

We have positions opening at all levels, whether you are undergraduate students or post-docs. It is highly recommended to make contact early:

• Master and PhD students: Interviews for 2027 entry are likely to be conducted in the autumn of 2026. Please contact us early.
• Postdoctoral researchers: Please email me if you are interested in working with us.

Graduate admissions (rolling)

We welcome motivated and curious students to join the group. Undergraduates in mechanics, physics, materials science, chemistry, and related disciplines may apply for direct-entry PhD or master’s programmes. Master’s students interested in theoretical materials design, first-principles calculations, machine learning, or energy materials are encouraged to apply for a PhD through the admission-by-assessment route.

The group offers a supportive research and study environment, a broad range of projects and research experience, and encourages students to pursue independent, creative work and to develop into independent researchers.

Interested students should email the contact address at the bottom of this page.

Postdoctoral positions (rolling)

About the advisor

Bonan Zhu is a Professor and doctoral supervisor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, and a recipient of the National Young Talent programme. He holds a National Natural Science Foundation of China Young Scientists grant. He received his BA and MS in Natural Sciences (Physics) from the University of Cambridge in 2016 and his PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge in 2020, and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at University College London from 2020 to 2023 before joining the School of Aerospace Engineering at BIT in 2023.

His research focuses on the theoretical design of new materials, crystal structure prediction, and the control of physical and chemical properties, with particular interests in electrode materials for lithium batteries, the theoretical design of advanced optoelectronic materials, materials discovery, and the development of related methods. He has published 31 papers in journals including Nature Communications, Applied Physics Reviews, and ACS Nano. He is an editor of the Journal of Open Source Software and a young editorial board member of Materials Genome Engineering Advances and Materials Development and Application.

Personal website: https://zhubonan.github.io

Requirements

A PhD (or imminent PhD) in physics, chemistry, materials science, mechanics, or a related discipline; the ability to carry out independent research; a solid professional foundation; good professional conduct and a collaborative spirit; and eligibility under BIT’s general postdoctoral recruitment requirements. Applicants with one or more of the following backgrounds are preferred:

1. First-principles calculations.
2. Materials informatics, machine learning, and high-throughput computing.
3. A programming background, with proficiency in one or more of Python, Fortran, Julia, or C++.

Research areas

Research directions include, but are not limited to: data-driven design and discovery of new materials for energy and optoelectronic applications; the development of methods for crystal structure prediction; and simulation and calculation of surface and interface properties.

Compensation and benefits

1. Base annual salary of RMB 250,000–400,000, plus project performance bonus and the university’s contributions to social insurance and the housing fund.
2. Candidates selected for the university’s “Teli Postdoctoral” support programme enter a through-train scheme and may be given priority for a tenure-track faculty position upon completion.
3. Candidates selected for the national “Boshi Xin” (Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support) programme or the International Exchange programme may receive a total compensation of up to RMB 600,000+.
4. Postdocs who remain in Beijing can obtain Beijing household registration (hukou) for themselves, their spouse, and their children.
5. The university provides postdoctoral apartments or a rent subsidy; dependent children can attend the BIT affiliated primary school and kindergarten, which offer high-quality education.

Contact

Professor Bonan Zhu — bzhu@bit.edu.cn

Interested candidates are welcome to get in touch; the specific research direction and compensation can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. The group has ample funding and resources, a broad development platform, a healthy working culture (no 996), and rich opportunities for international exchange. We welcome outstanding young researchers who are committed to science to join us in exploring the research frontier.