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PhD Student
PhD in the Kwok Lab, City University of Hong Kong Full-time NEW
Two PHD positions recruitment in Prof. Chun Kit Kwok’s lab at the City University of Hong Kong (Chemistry and Biology background)
Introduction of Team
Dr. Chun Kit Kwok (https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/persons/chun-kit-kwok(6ce9c7ef-3df6-4fe1-bc95-d749d1d6d748).html) is a professor of Department of Chemistry in City University of Hong Kong. He is a fellow of the Hong Kong Young Academy of Science (YASHK) and has received many prestigious awards and honors, including the NSFC General Program Grant, NSFC’s Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macau), Hong Kong RGC General Research Fund (GRF), National Natural Science Foundation of China/RGC Joint Research Scheme, the Royal Society International Exchange Fellowship, the Croucher Innovation Award, the RGC Research Fellow Scheme, the Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study Rising Star in Chemistry, the RNA Society Early-Career Research Award, the CityU President Award, and the CityU Outstanding Research Award. He has been recognized as the top 2% of the World’s Most Highly Cited Scientists by Stanford University in 2023-2025. Dr. Kwok has published over 90 research papers in prestigious journals including Nature, Nature Methods, Nature Communications, Nature Protocols, Cell Genomics, Cell Reports, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Genome Biology, Nucleic Acid Research, and others. He has been invited to write reviews and feature articles as corresponding author for renowned journals such as Trends in Biochemical Sciences, Trends in Biotechnology, Nature Plants, Nature Chemical Biology, Nucleic Acid Research, Cell Chemical Biology, etc. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=chun+kit+kwok&sort=date). Since 2016, Prof. Kwok’s lab has established research collaborations with many Universities (Cambridge University, Oxford University, Harvard Univesity, UC San Francisco, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), Tsinghua University, National University of Singapore, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sun Yat-sen University, University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Soochow University and etc.). For more information, please go to http://kitkwok.com and https://youtu.be/7D5u_E_I0tU for more details.
The current research is focus on “explore the role of RNA structures and interactions in biology”, “develop targeting tools for detection, imaging, intervention of important RNA structures and interactions”, as well as “invent innovative nucleic acid-based technologies for sensing chemical pollutants and biological toxins”. With adequate funds, great team spirit and scholarly culture, we invite talents to join.
Research Themes
1) G-quadruplex structure and function
2) RNA biology and gene regulation
3) Aptamer development and application
4) Development of Advanced Nucleic Acid Targeting Tools and Translational Applications
Scholarships
1.Value of postgraduate studentship: ~19,100 HKD per month, and after comprehensive exam will raise to ~19, 600 HKD per month.
2.For student with HK PhD Fellowship Scheme will have ~28,400 HKD per month.
3.City University of Hong Kong recently launched the 【PhD + Postdoc 4+3】Program: four years of highly-paid PhD study followed by three years of postdoctoral research (the duration meets the residency requirement for applying for Hong Kong permanent residency). The program is designed for outstanding undergraduates from top universities in Mainland China or world-renowned universities with exceptional academic potential.
For students who fulfill the requirements of the 【PhD + Postdoc 4+3】Program will be awarded the City University of Hong Kong Presidential Research Scholarship, which provides a monthly stipend of more than HKD $28,400.
Applicant can refer to following website
1: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/research-degree-programmes/steps-and-procedures
2: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/research-degree-programmes/scholarships-financial-aid-and-fees;
3: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/hong-kong-phd-fellowship-scheme
Requirements
1) Bachelor or Master degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioinformatics or related disciplines.
2) Research experience in Molecular biology, Chemical Biology, RNA biology, and nucleic acids is preferred.
3) Strong initiative and responsibility, excellent time and stress management, as well as great ability to work independently and as a team.
4) Good skills with English literature reading, listening, writing and presentation.
To apply
Please kindly send your CV, including research experience and research interests to Prof. Kwok (email: [Please click the Apply button for the link or address]), and title indicates “XXX PhD application”. Application’s information will be kept strictly confidential.
Refer to: For PhD admissions, the English requirement is as follows: TOEFL ≥ 550 (paper-based test) or ≥79 (internet-based test) or IELTS ≥6.5. CV should contain: 1. Academic background; 2. GPA; 3. Publications; 4. TOEFL or IELTS; 5. Names and contact details of 2 referees.