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

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

Background

Syntheticbiology is widely recognized as a cutting-edge and transformative technology, with industrial applications that promise novel solutions to the major resource, health, and environmental challenges facing humanity.

As a leading institution in synthetic biology and green biomanufacturing, TIB hosts multiple national-level innovation platforms and has achieved breakthroughs in enabling technologies (such as rational protein design and DNA editing) as well as in green biosynthesis of chemicals, microbial synthesis of natural products, biomanufacturing of future food, and CO2 bioconversion. Dedicated to driving sustainable industrial development through biotechnological innovation, TIB has successfully hosted the International Training Course on Industrial Synthetic Biotechnology (ITC-ISB) five times since 2019, attracting over 190 young scholars and researchers from 32 countries. Notably, the fifth ITC-ISB was endorsed in 2025 as an activity of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD) by UNESCO.

Under the support of the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations for the Belt and Road Regions (ANSO), the sixth ITC-ISB will be hosted by TIB and organized by COMSATS Joint Center for Industrial Biotechnology (CCIB) and State Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing. The course aims to inspire more young scientists to pursue careers in synthetic biology and to strengthen global collaboration in tackling our common challenges.

General Information

Time:tentatively scheduled in October, 2026

Host: TIB

Organizer: CCIB, State Key Laboratory of Engineering Biology for Low-Carbon Manufacturing

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, and technological advancements of synthetic biotechnology (such as foundational technologies for engineering biology), and its applications in diverse fields, including green biosynthesis of chemicals, microbial recombinant synthesis of natural products, biomanufacturing of future food and of feed protein and feed additives, development of agricultural biologicals, and C1 bioconversion and utilization.

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

Site Visits: TIB’ state-of-the-art facilities and carefully selected leading biotech companies.

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, bio-catalytic 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 to the training, cooperation projects 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).
  • 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 (if available).
  • A medical certificate issued by a licensed healthcare provider.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: July 31, 2026. Application documents should be submitted to the email address: CCIB@tib.cas.cn.
  • Notice of Acceptance: in August, 2026, via email.

Contact Information

Ms. Qianqian Ge, CCIB Secretary

Ms. Qianqian Chai, CCIB Coordinator & Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange of TIB

Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin 300308, China

E-mail: CCIB@tib.cas.cn

Tel:+86-22-84861925

For more details, please refer to the previous ITC-ISB:

http://english.tib.cas.cn/newsroom/newsupdates/t_1095389.html

http://english.tib.cas.cn/newsroom/newsupdates/202412/t20241201_892808.html

Attachment

  • Application Form
  • Personnal Introduction-template