Openings

I am recruiting one postdoctoral fellow, several PhD / MPhil students (2027 Spring / Summer / Fall intake), and several research assistants / interns to join my group at the Department of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

Research Topics

1. Data-centric graph machine learning, including but not limited to:

  • Deep generative models for graphs
  • LLMs and Agentic AI with graphs
  • Data-centric and trustworthy graph learning

2. AI for Science, including but not limited to:

  • Molecular property prediction and molecular structure design
  • Chemical reaction prediction and yield optimization
  • Virtual screening, lead optimization, and retrosynthesis planning

Why Join Us

Personalized mentorship.

  • Postdocs: co-advised by Prof. Irwin King (ACM / IEEE / AAAI Fellow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK) and me, with full support for your NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund Program (Overseas) application.
  • PhD students: your research interests and career trajectory are respected; we decide the specific projects together, with support for industry research internships and international exchange visits.
  • MPhil students / Research assistants / Interns: full support for publishing papers and applying to top PhD programs worldwide.

Solid resources. Project-based funding with support from the Presidential Young Scholar Scheme, full support for your applications to prestigious fellowships (HKPFS, PPPFS, IPFS, etc.), and ample GPU or computing resources.

Rich connections. Opportunities for research visits at top universities (Oxford, Cambridge, etc.), or research internships at leading companies (Microsoft, TikTok, Tencent, etc.).

What We Look For

  • Strong problem-solving skills, driven by curiosity and critical thinking.
  • A solid background in CS/AI/DS/Stats/Math/EE/Chem/Bio/Pharm, or a related field.
  • Sound mathematical reasoning, proficient programming, and effective English skills.
  • Prior exposure to one or more of the following topics is a plus: LLMs and Agents, GNNs and geometric (graph) learning, generative models (e.g., diffusion models, flow matching), reinforcement learning, and other AI4Sci topics.
  • Prior research experience (top-tier publications or research internships) is a plus.

How to Apply

Please fill in this application form or email me at szxpolyu@gmail.com with the subject line “Application for <Position> – <Your Name>”, with your CV/Resume and other optional supporting materials (transcripts, publications, research proposal, etc.).

If you plan to apply through the HKPFS, please reach out early.