The Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISA, CAS) is located in the historic city of Changsha and was established in 1978. It is the only agricultural ecology and environmental research institute of CAS deployed in the subtropical region, dedicated to providing scientific and technological support for the coordinated development of regional agriculture and ecological environments.

The Institute comprises the Center for Regional Ecology and Agricultural Development, the Center for Watershed Agriculture and Ecological Environment, the Center for Livestock and Poultry Health Breeding and Agro-Pastoral Complex Ecosystems, and the Center for Crop Molecular Ecology. It operates three national-level field observation and research stations and one CAS-level field station. The Institute hosts major research platforms including the National Key Laboratory of Efficient Design and Utilization of Forage Germplasm Resources (co-established) and the National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Resource Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Breeding, along with six provincial- and CAS-level research platforms.

ISA is authorized to confer PhD degrees in Ecology (first-level discipline) and Master’s degrees in Ecology, Animal Science, and Resources and Environment, and hosts a Postdoctoral Research Station in Ecology. The Institute serves as the secretariat for the Hunan Ecological Society and the Hunan Society of Animal Nutrition and Ecological Environment, leads the National Swine Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, co-founded the China Karst Ecosystem Field Observation and Research Station Alliance, and publishes the academic journal Agricultural Modernization Research.

As of December 2025, ISA has 215 staff members, including 162 research personnel, among whom are 1 academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 13 recipients of national-level talent programs (e.g., Distinguished Young Scholars), and over 200 recipients of CAS- and provincial-level talent programs.

To meet the strategic development needs of the Institute, ISA now openly recruits Special Research Assistants (Postdoctoral Fellows). The relevant details are as follows:

I. Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicants must hold a PhD degree from a domestic or international high-level university or research institution, generally under 35 years of age (age limits may be appropriately relaxed for female applicants and exceptionally outstanding candidates). Fresh PhD graduates must have fulfilled the basic requirements for doctoral dissertation defense at the time of application.
2. Applicants must adhere to research ethics and academic integrity, be dedicated, honest, and responsible.
3. Strong research innovation ability and teamwork spirit are required.
4. Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy, meeting the required medical examination standards.
5. Applicants must satisfy the specific requirements of the position applied for.

(1) Special Research Assistant Categories

• Category A:
  Within the past five years, at least four SCI Q1 papers published as first author (co-first authorship counted only if listed first), or at least one research article published in Nature, Science, Cell (including sister journals), or PNAS.
• Category B:
  Within the past five years, at least two SCI Q1 papers, or four SCI Q1/Q2 papers as first author.
• Category C:
  Within the past five years, at least one SCI Q1 paper, or two SCI Q2 papers as first author.

Journal quartile classification is based on the CAS Journal Ranking List of the year preceding publication (by major disciplinary category).

(2) Full-Time Postdoctoral Fellow

• PhD degree obtained within the past three years;
• Within the past five years, at least one SCI Q1/Q2 paper as first author, or two authorized invention patents with the applicant listed as first or second inventor (supervisor listed first).

---

II. Recruitment Positions

Details regarding the number of positions, research areas, and disciplinary requirements are provided in the “Recruitment Plan for Special Research Assistants (Postdoctoral Fellows)” (Appendix 1). Positions not listed may also be recruited following the same procedures when necessary.

---

III. Compensation and Benefits

1. Competitive Salary Package

• Full-time Postdoctoral Fellows: Annual salary (including social insurance and housing fund) starting from RMB 190,000, up to RMB 300,000 for outstanding candidates.
• Special Research Assistants:
• Category A: RMB 350,000/year
• Category B: RMB 300,000/year
• Category C: RMB 250,000/year
  Exceptionally outstanding candidates may receive up to RMB 500,000/year.
• Additional performance-based bonuses may be awarded by the hosting department, with no upper limit.

2. Project and Funding Support

• Eligible Special Research Assistants will also be registered in the postdoctoral research system and are encouraged to apply for National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and other funding programs.
• Outstanding candidates may apply for the National Postdoctoral Program (up to RMB 1 million in combined funding) and the CAS Special Research Assistant Funding Program (at least RMB 800,000 in additional support).
• Exceptionally high-performing Special Research Assistants may be recommended for CAS Talent Programs.

3. Career Development and Formal Positions

• Appointment to Assistant Researcher (Intermediate level) positions; exceptionally outstanding candidates may be appointed as Associate Researcher (Senior level).
• Promotion and tenure-track opportunities are linked to performance evaluations, with priority given to outstanding performers.

4. Housing Support

• Transitional housing is provided.
• Eligible candidates may apply for Changsha municipal talent subsidies, including RMB 30,000 rental allowance and RMB 100,000 housing purchase subsidy.

5. Additional Benefits

• One-time provincial postdoctoral entry subsidy of RMB 15,000.
• Access to advanced research platforms, overseas training opportunities, and full employee benefits including social insurance, paid annual leave, health examinations, meal subsidies, and union benefits.
• On-campus facilities include canteen and fitness facilities, supporting a healthy work-life environment.

---

IV. Application Materials

1. Application Registration Form (Appendix 2).
2. Applicant Information Summary Form (Appendix 3).
3. Two Letters of Recommendation (Appendix 4), including one from the PhD supervisor. Overseas PhD holders must provide at least one recommendation from an overseas referee.
4. Identity and Degree Documents: Copy of ID; PhD diploma and degree certificate; Online Verification Report of Education Record from CHSI (fresh graduates may temporarily omit); overseas degree holders must provide degree certificates and official credential evaluation reports.
5. Academic and Research Materials: Publications, books, patents, awards, funded projects, etc.

Items 4 and 5 must be merged into a single PDF file.

---

V. Recruitment Procedure

1. Application Submission:
   Applicants should email all materials to the position contact person, with a copy to zhaopin@isa.ac.cn.
   Email subject format:
   Special Research Assistant (Postdoctoral Fellow) – Name – Department – Collaborating Supervisor
2. Interview:
   Shortlisted candidates will be notified by phone. Interviews consist of a PPT presentation and Q&A, covering background, research experience, and proposed work plan.
3. Medical Examination:
   Candidates passing the interview must undergo a medical examination at a designated hospital, following the General Standards for Civil Servant Recruitment Medical Examination (Trial).
4. Appointment:
   Final candidates will be publicly announced. Upon completion of the announcement period without objections, appointment procedures will be completed.

---

VI. Additional Information

1. This recruitment announcement is valid year-round.
2. Human Resources Contacts:
3. Ms. Zeng: +86-731-8461-9727
4. Ms. Ye: +86-731-8461-9762
5. Email: zhaopin@isa.ac.cn
6. Mailing Address:
   Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences
   No. 644 Yuanda 2nd Road, Furong District, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
   Postal Code: 410125

---

Institute of Subtropical Agriculture,
Chinese Academy of Sciences
January 8, 2026