The lab of Prof. Ji Li and Prof. Zhili Deng recruits at every stage — faculty-scientists, postdocs, and technicians, as well as master’s and doctoral students. We work at the interface of clinical dermatology and molecular biology, and we look for colleagues with integrity, a genuine commitment to research, a strong sense of responsibility, and a collaborative spirit.
Open positions
Associate / Assistant Researcher
¥300,000–500,000 pre-tax · tenured post
- Who
- A faculty-scientist on the PI track ready to build an independent research program — a PhD holder, age 35 or under, who has recently completed a doctorate or postdoc (including degrees earned or postdocs completed in 2025).
- Background
- Molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, laboratory animal science, or a related field.
- Bar
- Meets Xiangya Hospital's research-faculty hiring standard — for example, at least two high-level papers as first or corresponding author (including co-first / co-corresponding), evaluated per the hospital's academic-score criteria (绩分).
- Package
- Directly employed as regular Xiangya Hospital staff; institutional achievement awards plus additional lab performance bonuses.
Postdoctoral Fellow
¥300,000–400,000 pre-tax
- Who
- A PhD holder building an independent research record, age 32 or under in principle, with strong English reading and writing.
- Background
- Immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacy, or bioinformatics.
- Bar
- At least one JCR Q1 paper as first or corresponding author and a demonstrated capacity for independent research; graduates of leading universities and institutes (in China or abroad) are preferred.
- Package
- Administered as a regular, directly-employed hospital staff member; research centers on the collaborating advisor's projects, funded primarily by the advisor. Institutional achievement awards plus additional lab performance bonuses.
Research Technician
Direct-hire Xiangya Hospital staff
- Who
- A master's-degree holder with some capacity for independent research, age 28 or under in principle.
- Background
- Bioinformatics, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacy, or statistics.
- Bar
- Candidates with a first-author SCI paper, or graduates of leading universities and institutes (in China or abroad), are preferred.
- Package
- Training in first-rate research thinking and technical skills. Outstanding performers receive additional lab bonuses and gain opportunities for PhD study and international research collaboration and exchange.
Eligibility and platform
-
Faculty-track candidates who meet the criteria for the national “Four Young Talents” programs or Xiangya Hospital’s “Feifan Talent Leadership Plan” are encouraged to apply. For such candidates the platform, funding, and package are negotiable, with full institutional support for the relevant talent applications.
- All roles are anchored in national- and provincial-level key research platforms, with ample funding and well-equipped facilities.
How to apply
Send your application materials as email attachments to liji_xy@csu.edu.cn or dengzhili@csu.edu.cn.
Please include:
- Personal information, degree certificates, and study / work history
- A list of research output (publications) with supporting proof
- Two recommendation letters from referees, one of which must be from your PhD advisor
Use the email subject line “Position applied for + Your name”. This posting is open on a rolling basis and applications are accepted year-round; all personal information is kept strictly confidential.
Graduate students
Master's students (M.S.)
Clinical medicine majors only
- Eligibility
- Master's admission is open only to applicants with a clinical medicine background.
- Looking for
- A genuine interest in dermatology research and the curiosity to connect clinical questions with laboratory work.
Doctoral students (Ph.D.)
Clinical medicine or biomedicine
- Eligibility
- Open to applicants from clinical medicine or the biomedical sciences and related disciplines — molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, pharmacy, and similar fields.
- Looking for
- A drive to lead an independent project and to publish work that moves a research question forward.
Prospective students: there are no special prerequisites beyond the eligibility above — send your CV to liji_xy@csu.edu.cn or dengzhili@csu.edu.cn to start a conversation. Formal enrolment follows Central South University’s annual graduate-admissions process.
More about the lab: meet the principal investigators and team on the People page, or explore our three research directions — skin aging, hair, and inflammatory skin disease — on the Research page.