Join Us

We are actively recruiting passionate researchers to join our mission of mapping the human brain and advancing brain-inspired artificial intelligence!

🎯 Open Positions

📌 Position 1: Postdoctoral Researchers (2-3 positions)

Research Focus

• Multimodal brain imaging
• Brain atlas modeling
• Brain-machine interfaces
• Brain-inspired artificial intelligence

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Age ≤ 35 years old, in good health
• Ph.D. degree obtained or expected soon
• Strong background in: Computer Science, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Automation, Mathematics, or related fields
• Proficiency in Python, R, or Matlab
• Experience with deep learning or brain imaging (fMRI/DTI/MEG) preferred
• First-author publications in high-quality journals
• Independent research ability and strong English writing skills

Desired Qualities

• Passionate about “Brain + AI” interdisciplinary research
• Rigorous academic attitude and collaborative team spirit
• Obsession with “using models to explain the brain, and using the brain to improve models”
• Long-term commitment to scientific research with independent thinking

What We Offer

Academic Support

• Guidance on applying for postdoctoral funding (China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, NSFC, etc.)
• Rigorous scientific training and mentorship
• Abundant computational resources (GPU clusters, high-performance computing)
• Open academic atmosphere with international collaborations
• Support for conference travel and professional development

Career Development

• Co-authorship opportunities on high-impact publications
• Network with leading researchers in neuroscience and AI
• Career planning and recommendation letters for future positions
• Support for faculty job applications

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive annual salary (按上海交通大学标准)
• Assistance with Shanghai hukou (residence permit) application
• Support for children’s schooling enrollment
• Eligibility for various talent programs and funding opportunities
• Social insurance and housing fund

Application Materials

1. CV (including education, research experience, publications)
2. Cover Letter (1 page, describing research interests and motivation)
3. Representative Work (GitHub code repositories or PDF of top publications)
4. Two Reference Letters (can be provided later)

Application Process

• Email subject: “Postdoc Application - [Your Name] - [Expected Start Date]”
• Send to: yuzhang2@sjtu.edu.cn
• Initial review within 3 business days
• Interview scheduled for qualified candidates

📌 Position 2: Research Assistants (3-5 positions)

Position Types

• Full-time Research Assistant (1 position): 1+ year commitment
• Short-term Intern (2-4 positions): 6+ months commitment

Who Should Apply

Gap Year Students

• Planning to take a gap year to strengthen research background
• Considering applying for overseas Ph.D. programs in CS/AI, Neuroscience, or Psychology
• Want hands-on research experience before graduate school

Undergraduate/Master’s Students

• Sophomore/Junior students planning for保研/直博
• Want to build research skills and publication record
• Passionate about neuroscience and AI research

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (current student or recent graduate)
• Proficiency in Python, R, or Matlab
• Strong interest in neuroscience, deep learning, or brain-inspired computing
• Experience with deep learning frameworks or brain imaging analysis preferred
• Ability to work full-time on-site (Shanghai/Hangzhou) or remote (case-by-case evaluation)

Responsibilities

• Clinical cohort data organization and preprocessing
• Data analysis and code development
• Assist with research projects and experiments
• Literature review and manuscript preparation

What We Offer

Academic Training

• Weekly 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with PI
• Participation in national-level research projects
• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI and neuroimaging tools
• Co-authorship on publications based on contributions
• Internship certificate and recommendation letters

Career Support

• Strong recommendation letters for graduate school applications
• Connections to overseas universities (Computer Science/AI, Neuroscience, Psychology programs)
• Exceptional candidates may receive direct Ph.D. program recommendations
• Training in research skills highly valued by graduate programs

Professional Development

• Access to internal and external training workshops
• Attendance at academic seminars and lectures
• Support for short-term conference participation
• Exposure to cutting-edge research methods and technologies

Compensation

• Competitive stipend for full-time assistants
• Travel reimbursement for on-site work
• Flexible working arrangements (where applicable)

Application Materials

1. CV (including education, skills, any research/project experience)
2. Motivation Letter (1 page: Why brain+AI? Why our lab? Your goals?)
3. Code Samples or Projects (GitHub links preferred) or Academic Transcripts

Application Process

• Email subject: “RA Application - [Your Name] - [Available Duration]”
• Send to: yuzhang2@sjtu.edu.cn
• Rolling admissions - applications reviewed continuously
• Interview within 1 week for qualified candidates

🏆 Past Team Member Achievements

Our alumni have achieved remarkable success:

Funding & Awards

• ✅ China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (79th Cohort) grant recipients
• ✅ OHBM 2024 Oral Presentation & Metric Travel Award winners
• ✅ EMBC, ISBI, ISMRM oral presentation awardees
• ✅ Multiple conference best poster awards
• ✅ Graduate student forum speakers

Career Progression

• Faculty positions at top universities
• Postdocs at MIT, Stanford, UCL, and other leading institutions
• Research scientists at major AI companies
• Ph.D. programs at Harvard, Oxford, ETH Zurich, etc.

💡 What Makes Our Lab Unique?

🧠 Cutting-Edge Research

• Work on foundation models for brain imaging
• Develop brain-inspired AI architectures
• Access to large-scale neuroimaging datasets
• Collaborate with international research teams

🎓 World-Class Training

• Mentorship from a National Young Talent awardee
• 6+ years of international research experience to share
• Rigorous training in both neuroscience and AI
• Regular journal clubs and skill-building workshops

🤝 Collaborative Environment

• Open and supportive lab culture
• Regular team meetings and brainstorming sessions
• Diverse backgrounds: neuroscience, CS, engineering, psychology
• Strong ties with Julich, McGill, Montreal, and CAS

🚀 Career Development

• Strong track record of mentee success
• Extensive academic network in China and abroad
• Support for grant writing and job applications
• Emphasis on independence and leadership skills

📍 Location & Facilities

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

• Top-tier research university in Shanghai
• Excellent facilities and computational resources
• Vibrant academic community
• International city with great quality of life

Computational Resources

• High-performance computing cluster
• GPU servers for deep learning
• Large-scale neuroimaging databases
• State-of-the-art analysis software and tools

📧 How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare Materials

• Update your CV
• Write a compelling cover letter (1 page)
• Gather code samples or publications
• (For postdocs) Arrange for reference letters

Step 2: Send Application

• Email to: yuzhang2@sjtu.edu.cn
• Subject line: “Postdoc/RA Application - [Your Name] - [Start Date/Duration]”
• Attach all materials as PDFs

Step 3: Interview

• Initial review: 3 business days (postdocs) or 1 week (RAs)
• Video interview scheduled for qualified candidates
• Decision communicated within 1 week of interview

Step 4: Onboarding

• Discuss start date and project assignments
• Complete necessary paperwork
• Begin your exciting research journey!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can international students apply?
A: Yes! We welcome applications from researchers worldwide.

Q: Is prior experience in neuroscience required?
A: Not necessarily. Strong computational skills and enthusiasm to learn are most important.

Q: Can I work remotely?
A: Full-time positions generally require on-site work. Remote arrangements considered case-by-case for part-time interns.

Q: When can I start?
A: Positions are open year-round. We accommodate various start dates.

Q: What programming languages should I know?
A: Python is essential. Experience with R, Matlab, or deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) is a plus.

Q: Will I get authorship on papers?
A: Yes, based on actual contributions to the research.

🌟 Our Philosophy

“Bring your curiosity and keyboard, let’s turn brain maps into brain models, and build your own brain universe together!”

We believe that the future of AI lies in understanding the brain, and the future of neuroscience lies in leveraging AI. Join us in this exciting interdisciplinary journey!

📞 Contact Information

Prof. Yu Zhang
School of Psychology
Shanghai Jiao Tong University

📧 Email: yuzhang2@sjtu.edu.cn
🌐 Lab Website: https://autobrainlab.github.io/yuzhang-lab-website/
🔗 Official Page: https://psychology.sjtu.edu.cn/

We look forward to hearing from you!

Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply early for priority consideration.

Last updated: October 26, 2025