Introduction & Supervisor
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Professor Yong ZHANG's Research Group
Dr. Yong ZHANG is an Assistant Professor in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Thrust at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). He received his Ph.D. degree from School of Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea in 2020, under the supervision of Professor Nam-Gyu Park. Before his current position, Dr. Zhang served as a Presidential Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Assistant Professor (Associate Researcher) at the Southern University of Science and Technology. Officially joined the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) in February 2025.
His research focuses on perovskite photovoltaic materials and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. The core directions include the design of new photoactive materials, the synthesis of high-purity perovskite precursors, solar cells interface engineering and stability optimization, lead halide perovskite recycling, and AI-assisted photovoltaic research and development. He has achieved remarkable results in the field of low-cost, high-efficiency, and long-life perovskite solar cells. As of 2026, he has published 76 peer-reviewed papers, including 30 as (co-)first or corresponding author in top journals such as Nature (2), Science, Nature Materials, Nature Energy, and Nature Synthesis, with over 5200 citations. He has received several awards, including the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2021), Shenzhen Overseas High-Caliber Personnel (Level B). He also serves as a Young Editorial Board Member for the journals eScience and Energy Materials.
Relying on the first-class scientific research platform within the university, our group has abundant research funds, complete experimental equipment, a free and harmonious research atmosphere, and strongly supports interdisciplinary innovation, focusing on breaking through the core technical problems of perovskite photovoltaic industrialization.
For further details, please visit his official faculty profile:
https://facultyprofiles.hkust-gz.edu.cn/faculty-personal-page/ZHANG-Yong/yongzhang
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com.hk/citations?user=9qJS6T8AAAAJ&hl=zh-CN
Website of the our group:
https://zhanglab.academicwebsite.com/
Email:
[email protected]
Professor Yong ZHANG's Research Group
Dr. Yong ZHANG is an Assistant Professor in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Thrust at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). He received his Ph.D. degree from School of Chemical Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea in 2020, under the supervision of Professor Nam-Gyu Park. Before his current position, Dr. Zhang served as a Presidential Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Assistant Professor (Associate Researcher) at the Southern University of Science and Technology. Officially joined the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) in February 2025.
His research focuses on perovskite photovoltaic materials and high-efficiency photovoltaic devices. The core directions include the design of new photoactive materials, the synthesis of high-purity perovskite precursors, solar cells interface engineering and stability optimization, lead halide perovskite recycling, and AI-assisted photovoltaic research and development. He has achieved remarkable results in the field of low-cost, high-efficiency, and long-life perovskite solar cells. As of 2026, he has published 76 peer-reviewed papers, including 30 as (co-)first or corresponding author in top journals such as Nature (2), Science, Nature Materials, Nature Energy, and Nature Synthesis, with over 5200 citations. He has received several awards, including the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad (2021), Shenzhen Overseas High-Caliber Personnel (Level B). He also serves as a Young Editorial Board Member for the journals eScience and Energy Materials.
Relying on the first-class scientific research platform within the university, our group has abundant research funds, complete experimental equipment, a free and harmonious research atmosphere, and strongly supports interdisciplinary innovation, focusing on breaking through the core technical problems of perovskite photovoltaic industrialization.
For further details, please visit his official faculty profile:
https://facultyprofiles.hkust-gz.edu.cn/faculty-personal-page/ZHANG-Yong/yongzhang
Google Scholar:
https://scholar.google.com.hk/citations?user=9qJS6T8AAAAJ&hl=zh-CN
Website of the our group:
https://zhanglab.academicwebsite.com/
Email:
[email protected]
Recruitment Quota
- Opening for 26 Fall/27 Spring PhD Students
- Students who have received an offer from the MPhil Redbird Master's Program at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) can apply to join by sending an email
- Long-term Recruitment: Postdocs, Research Assistants. Outstanding talents in materials science, physics, chemistry, electronics and related fields are welcome to join us
Application Requirements
- Hold or be about to obtain a bachelor or master degree in materials science, physics, chemistry, electronics, or a related discipline. Exceptional candidates from other backgrounds may also be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong passion for scientific research, a spirit of exploration, self-motivation, and teamwork.
- Excellent academic performance; prior research experience and publications are preferred.
- Proficient in spoken and written English for academic communication. Specific language requirements can be found on the HKUST(GZ) postgraduate admissions website (https://fytgs.hkust-gz.edu.cn/admissions/before-submitting-an-application/admission-requirements).
- For the Students of Red Bird Mphil Program, after six months of independent academic exploration, select their academic supervisor through mutual agreement. For details, please refer to the HKUST(GZ) website (https://cft.hkust-gz.edu.cn/zh/department/red-bird-mphil/).
Scholarship & Benefits
- PhD students will receive a full scholarship of RMB 15,000 per month.
- Postdoctoral fellows will receive a competitive stipend and research funding, along with support from national, Guangdong provincial, and Guangzhou municipal postdoctoral policies. For specific postdoctoral terms and requirements, please refer to the latest information on the HKUST(GZ) official website.
- For the Students of Red Bird Mphil Program, please refer to the HKUST(GZ) website (https://cft.hkust-gz.edu.cn/zh/department/red-bird-mphil/).
- Remuneration for Research Assistants will be discussed individually.
- Opportunities for research exchange at institutions in Hong Kong or overseas.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should send your CV (in both Chinese and English, including all research experience and academic publications) and academic transcripts in English to Dr. Yong ZHANG([email protected]). Please format the email subject as: “Application for [Position/Degree] – [Your Name] – [Current Affiliation]”. Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email for an interview arrangement at the earliest opportunity.