The Shawn Xu lab focuses on sensory biology, aiming to understand how we sense both the external environment (exteroception) and internal world (interoception) using C. elegans and mouse models. Exteroception allows us to sense external cues such as temperature, light, sound, odorants, tastants, and touch, serving as a key physiological foundation for connecting us to the external world, adapting to our surroundings, and guiding behavioral decisions. Interoception, on the other hand, not only underlies visceral pain and related sensations but also regulates physiological states such as respiratory rate, core body temperature, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. It is a vital physiological process that controls self-perception, emotional experience, and the maintenance of life. Furthermore, exteroception and interoception play key roles in regulating other vital physiological processes such as metabolism and aging. Dysfunction in exteroception/interoception is not only a direct cause of classical sensory disorders such as tinnitus, deafness, color blindness, and visual impairment, but also represents a core symptom widely associated with various human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. As such, elucidating the molecular, cellular and circuit mechanisms of exteroception and interoception is of great significance for developing novel therapeutics.

Professor Shawn Xu is a leading scientist in sensory biology. Using C. elegans and mice as models, the Xu lab has made a series of contributions to our understanding of how animals detect and process sensory signals such as temperature, light, sound, touch, smell, and taste. The group was the first to demonstrate that, in addition to touch, taste, and smell, the nematode C. elegans also possesses the senses of light, airborne sound, and proprioception. These discoveries established that C. elegans has all six primary sensory modalities, fully establishing this animal as a powerful genetic model for the study of sensory biology. Building on these foundational discoveries, the Xu lab has identified multiple novel sensory receptors, including the photoreceptor LITE-1, the cold receptor GLR-3/GluK2, the alkaline receptor TMC-1/mTMC3, and the mechanosensitive channel TRP-4/TRPN1, among others. Importantly, they have demonstrated the functional conservation of some of these sensory receptors and their downstream signaling pathways using mouse models. Furthermore, they have characterized how neural circuits process sensory signals to regulate behavior and drug dependence. Moreover, their work has revealed that beyond brain function and behavior, sensory signals such as temperature and smell also regulate other vital physiological processes such as aging and longevity, and has elucidated the underlying genetic and neural mechanisms. These studies have expanded and deepened our understanding of how sensory cues regulate brain function, behavior, and aging.

Dr. Xu previously held Bernard W. Agranoff Collegiate Professorship at the University of Michigan. In 2026, Dr. Xu joined the Institute of Bio-Architecture and Bio-Interactions of SMART as a senior investigator. Dr. Xu has published many research articles in high profile journals such as Cell, Nature, Neuron, Nature Neuroscience, Cell Metabolism, Nature Aging, and Developmental Cell. Moving forward, Professor Xu’s group will continue to leverage C. elegans and mouse models to: i) identify novel sensory receptors detecting various exteroceptive and interoceptive signals and characterize their physiological functions and structure-function relationships; ii) elucidate how sensory signals regulate brain function, behavior, metabolism, and aging at the molecular, cellular, and circuit levels; and iii) screen for small molecules targeting sensory receptors to translate fundamental knowledge into novel therapeutics.

（一） Associate Investigator / Assistant Investigator (2 positions)

1. Job Responsibilities

(1) Conduct independent research under the guidance of the PI.

(2) Independently or jointly apply for research grants and write research papers.

(3) Assist in supervising postdocs, students, and research assistants.

(4) Support laboratory management.

2. Requirements

(1) Possess a Ph.D. degree and postdoctoral research experience from leading research institutions in China or abroad.

(2) Have published multiple high-impact scientific papers as the first author or corresponding author.

(3) Have a solid academic background in neurobiology, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, or cell biology.

(4) Possess excellent communication and teamwork skills, high academic integrity, a rigorous scientific attitude, a strong passion for discovery, diligence, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to conduct independent research.

(5) Be proficient in using English as a working language for both oral and written academic communication.

（二） Postdoctoral Fellow (5-6 positions)

1. Job Responsibilities

（1） Conduct independent or collaborative research under the guidance of the PI.

（2） Assist in applying for research grants.

2.  Requirements

(1) Have obtained a Ph.D. degree, with at least one research paper published or about to be published as the first author in a relevant field, and possess the ability to conduct independent research.

(2) Have a solid academic background in neurobiology, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, or cell biology.

(3) Be highly motivated and responsible, with strong teamwork spirit, diligence, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to conduct independent research.

(4) Have good command of English for reading and writing scientific literature.

（三） Research Assistant I – with C. elegans experience (2 positions)

1. Job Responsibilities

（1） Assist in laboratory management.

（2） Assist Associate/Assistant Investigators, Postdoctoral Fellows, and PhD students in research work.

（3） Conduct relatively independent research under the supervision of the PI.

（4） Assist with other tasks assigned by the laboratory.

2. Requirements

（1） Applicants should have research experience in C. elegans.

（2） Master's degree preferred; bachelor's degree requires relevant work experience.

（3） Be responsible, skilled in laboratory operations, and possess strong collaboration and communication abilities.

（4） Have good English reading and writing proficiency.

（四） Research Assistant II – with experience using mouse and other models (2 positions)

1. Job Responsibilities

(1) Assist in laboratory management.

(2) Assist Associate/Assistant Investigators, Postdoctoral Fellows, and PhD students in research work.

(3) Conduct relatively independent research under the supervision of the PI.

(4) Assist with other tasks assigned by the laboratory.

2. Requirements

(1) Applicants with experience in mouse handling or cell and molecular biology techniques are preferred.

(2) Master's degree preferred; bachelor's degree requires relevant work experience.

(3) Be responsible, skilled in laboratory operations, and possess strong collaboration and communication abilities. 

(4) Have good English reading and writing proficiency.

（五） Laboratory Manager (1 position)

1.  Job Responsibilities

(1) Responsible for the daily operation and management of the laboratory.

(2) Handle procurement, maintenance, and management of laboratory equipment, reagents, consumables, and research resources.

(3) Manage personnel matters, including hosting visiting scholars and students, onboarding and training new members, and coordinating equipment use and sharing.

(4) Assist in the management of laboratory animals.

2. Requirements

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree or above; candidates with a long-term career plan are preferred.

(2) Be capable of working independently and efficiently, with strong professional ethics, teamwork spirit, responsibility, and good communication skills.

(3) Have good English reading and writing skills.

(4) Applicants with laboratory management experience, C. elegans or mouse handling experience, or expertise in cell and molecular biology techniques are preferred.

（六） Visiting Students (Multiple positions)

Senior undergraduate students majoring in neurobiology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, immunology, bioinformatics, statistics, or related fields are welcome to join the group as visiting students.

Benefits

（1） Provide a competitive salary and benefits package based on the institute’s compensation system, with specific pay determined according to the candidate’s qualifications and achievements;

（2） Enjoy statutory benefits, paid annual leave, regular health check-ups, and other employee welfare programs;

（3） Provide excellent research training and a supportive research environment;

（4） For qualified candidates, assistance will be provided in applying for relevant talent subsidies and supporting programs;

（5） For Research Assistants and Visiting Students with outstanding performance, the group may recommend them for graduate study programs upon request;

（6） Visiting Students will receive living allowances in accordance with the subsidy standards of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation.

 Applicants should provide：

（1）A complete CV in Chinese or English, including educational background, research experience and achievements, key scientific skills, awards, and personal research interests;

（2）Please list the names of at least 2 referees.  

（3）Other materials that can demonstrate the applicant’s research and professional capabilities.

Please send the application materials in PDF format to elegant@smart.org.cn (Email subject: “Position – Name – Major”). Qualified candidates will be notified for an interview.

All applications will be kept confidential, and compensation is negotiable.

This recruitment notice remains open until all positions are filled.