University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Principal Investigator: Prof Cong Cao)

University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Nottingham University Business School China

Salary
You will be offered a minimum annual salary package of RMB 269,906 with competitive benefits package

Closing Date
Friday 31 October 2025

Reference
184200

Nottingham University Business School China Prof. Cong Cao’s research team is seeking outstanding Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the postdoctoral research station in business administration for the development of University of Nottingham Ningbo China research agenda.

Your Responsibility

Your key responsibilities include:

  • To formulate and articulate research objectives, alongside developing proposals for both individual and collaborative projects, utilizing established methodologies and techniques to execute research effectively within the specified area;
  • To analyze data meticulously, interpret findings, evaluate scholarly texts, and contribute innovative insights, while adhering to project deadlines and collaborating seamlessly with team members and partners;
  • To write up research work for publication and/or contribute to the dissemination at national/international conferences, resulting in successful research outputs;
  • To identify opportunities and assist in writing bids for research grant applications;
  • To build relationships with both internal and external contacts in order to exchange information, to form relationships for future collaborations and identify potential sources of funds and/or opportunities for collaboration.

About You

  • The candidate must have obtained a PhD degree within 3 years and in the area of of business administration (particularly in innovation, entrepreneurship, strategy), management, and public administration;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information. Excellent communication skills in Chinese is a plus.
  • High analytical ability to analyse and illuminate data, interprets reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring new insights.
  • Ability to creatively apply relevant research approaches, models, techniques and methods.
  • Ability to assess and organise resource requirements and deploy effectively.
  • Ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, both internally and externally.
  • Some practical experience of applying the specialist skills and approaches and techniques required for the role.

About Us

Join a unique British University in China. Join a unique British University in China. University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. Located in Ningbo, this award winning campus offering a UK-style education has grown to establish a student body of over 9,000 in just 20 years.

About Postdoctoral research station in Business Administration. Postdoctoral research station in Business Administration was approved to establish in Nov 2023. It is UNNC’s first postdoctoral research station, and its founding deeply aligns with the national strategic needs in promoting talent cultivation and innovation as well as that of UNNC. UNNC’s undergraduate programme of Business Administration was launched in 2004 and the doctoral programme in 2009. The subject has been listed among the world’s top academic subjects by Shanghai Ranking for four consecutive years. The discipline of Business Administration has also established teaching and research platforms at multiple levels and carried out in-depth industry university research cooperation with world renowned enterprises such as Microsoft and Amazon. In the future, UNNC will incorporate the development of the postdoctoral research station into the agenda of the university to provide talent support in efforts to promote scientific and technological innovation as well as economic and social development.

About the Research Team. Prof. Cong Cao is a professor in innovation studies. He has published extensively in the scientific elite, human resources in science and technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in nanotechnology and biotechnology, and the governance in science and technology. He is the author and co-author of five books. His papers have appeared in international leading journals of technology and innovation and edited volumes. His research has been supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, European Union, the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC), among others. For details, please refer to the link: https://research.nottingham.edu.cn/en/persons/cong-cao

Dr. Huimin Song is Professor of Practice in Accounting and Director of the Nottingham Case Innovation Centre (NCIC) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. With a Phd in Finance and ACCA qualification, she brings years of industry experience, including roles at BNY Mellon, Moore Global, and Alibaba B2B, specialising in investment banking, M&A, and financial management. Her expertise spans academia, corporate finance, and international advisory. For details, please refer to the link: https://research.nottingham.edu.cn/en/persons/huimin-song

About the Project. Nanotechnology is a profoundly science-driven discipline that integrates cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs to fuel innovation. This project explores how NanoPolis, one of the world’s leading nanotechnology hubs in Suzhou, drives nanotechnology innovation, particularly how companies leverage resources and networks to develop and commercialize innovations while navigating challenges such as intellectual property protection and regulatory hurdles.

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to spend two-thirds of their time on teaching case development and writing. Particularly, the person will work on the development of at least one such case a year of the representative nanotechnology companies in NanoPolis, highlighting their innovation strategies and outcomes, with a focus on innovation diffusion, university‒industry collaboration, and the role of ecosystem. The postdoctoral research fellow will be based at the Nottingham Case Innovation Centre (NCIC), a university-level research center under the Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China). For more details, please refer to: https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/business/nubs-china-strategic-initiatives/nottingham-case-innovation-centre.aspx

Your Remuneration, Benefits and Support

You will be offered a fixed term contract initially with University of Nottingham Ningbo China for 2 years with a probation of 2 months. You will be offered a minimum annual salary package of RMB 269,906 with competitive benefits package. Postdoctoral Research Fellow is also able to apply RMB50,000 research funding after the start of your research.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit an application via our on-line application system before October 31, 2025. Only on-line applications will be accepted. Referees will be contacted prior to interview and interviews will take place in Ningbo China.

https://jobs.nottingham.edu.cn/job/184200/

Applications should include but are not limited to the following:

  • A cover letter
  • An up-to-update CV includes academic and research achievement list
  • A Research proposal (Please refer to the attached project summary)

Enquiries

Informal enquiries regarding the research project may be addressed to Prof. Cong Cao Cong.Cao@nottingham.edu.cn. If you are unable to apply on-line please contact the Human Resources Office, Tel: 86 574 88180000(Ext. 8854).