Call for Trainees: The Fifth International Training Course on Industrial Synthetic Biotechnology

08 07, 2025

Hosted by the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Background

Synthetic biology is widely recognized as a cutting-edge and transformative technology. Its industrial applications hold the promise of offering novel solutions to the major challenges in resources, health, and the environment that humanity confronts.

TIB is a preeminent institution in the fields of synthetic biology and green biomanufacturing, dedicated to driving environmentally friendly development across industrial sectors through biotechnological innovation. Since 2019, TIB has successfully hosted the International Training Course on Industrial Synthetic Biotechnology (ITC-ISB) four times, attracting over 170 young scholars and researchers from 28 countries.

This year, financed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, under the support of the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO) and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the fifth ITC-ISB will be hosted by TIB and organized by the COMSATS Joint Center for Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB), aiming to encourage more young scientists to engage in synthetic biology careers and strengthen global collaboration in addressing shared challenges.

Additionally, the fifth ITC-ISB has been endorsed as an activity of the International Decades of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

General Information

• Dates: From 10-24 October 2025

• Main Venue: TIB Campus, Tianjin, China

• Language: English

Contents

The training course will concentrate on the theory, practice, and applications of industrial synthetic biotechnology. The main components include:

• Technical Courses: Basic theories, methodologies, technological advancements, and applications of synthetic biotechnology in diverse fields, such as health products, materials, chemicals, fuels, food, and feed additives.

• Experimental Courses: A series of well-designed synthetic biology experiments to enhance technical proficiency.

• Site Visits: TIB’s advanced reasearch facilities and selected leading biotech companies.

Notably, trainees of this course are eligible to attend the CO₂ Fixation and Bioconversion International Symposium 2025, which will be hosted by TIB on 13-14 October. This symposium will convene global leading scientists in the field for focused discussions on advancing CO2 utilization and low-carbon feedstock conversion.

Financial Support

• Round-trip economy-class air tickets.

• Local hospitality, covering accommodation, meals, and relevant local transportation.

• Full tuition coverage.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age Limit: Under 45 years old.

• Education/Experience: Self-motivated young researchers/engineers holding a Ph.D. degree, with over 2 years of working experience in fields such as biotechnology (especially industrial biotechnology), microbiology, molecular biology, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, metabolic engineering, biocatalytic engineering, fermentation engineering, and bioprocess engineering.

• Language Proficiency: Fluent English for academic and professional communication.

Application Requirements

• A cover letter, elaborating on the reasons for applying for the training, cooperation plans with specific TIB professors, or requests for potential collaboration opportunities through this training course.

• Recommendation letters from the Principal Investigator and the head of the International Cooperation Department of the applicant's organization.

• Application Form (attached).

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), with selected publications clearly indicated.

• Brief Introduction (using the attached template).

• A recent 2-inch full-faced, bare-headed electronic photo (preferably 3.5 x 4.5 cm).

• Electronic copy of the passport and previous Chinese visa(s) (if available).

• A medical certificate issued by a licensed healthcare provider.

Application documents should be submitted to the email address: CCIB@tib.cas.cn.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 31 July 2025.

• Notice of Acceptance: August 2025 via email.

Contact Information