1. What is CAS?

CAS is the highest academic institution and a comprehensive research and development center in natural science, technological science and high-tech innovation in China. It has 12 branch offices, 117 institutes with legal entity, more than 100 national key laboratories and national engineering research centers, and about 1,000 field stations throughout the country. Its staff even surpassed 50,000. Among those employed in the whole Academy’s innovative posts and positions, 77% have Doctor’s and Master’s degrees, and researchers who are younger than 45 account for 79.1% of the total.

To know more about CAS, please visit http://english.cas.cn/, http://english.cas.cn/ACAS/ and http://english.cas.cn/ACAS/BI/200908/t20090825_33882.shtml.

2. Where is CAS?

CAS is headquartered at 52 Sanlihe Rd., Beijing. It is ten minutes walk to Muxidi subway station, and less than ten minutes walk to Muxidi Bei bus station(http://english.cas.cn/ACAS/contact/200908/t20090826_34225.shtml).

To know more about the location of the 117 institutes directly under CAS, please visit http://english.cas.cn/CASI/.

3. Who is the President of CAS?

Professor BAI Chunli. To know more about Professor BAI Chunli, please visit http://english.cas.cn/Administration/Adators/200908/t20090825_33929.shtml.

4. What is a CAS member?

CAS members are the most distinguished scientists in China and the highest think tank for the Chinese government. By the end of 2010, there were 694 CAS members, including 55 foreign members. For the directory of CAS members, please visit http://english.ad.cas.cn/Me/Di/SM/.

5. What are CAS’ S&T strengths?

For the past six decades, CAS has accomplished a number of world-renown scientific achievements including theory of functions of several complex variables over classical domains, the Goldbach Conjecture, the finite element method, the mathematics mechanization, the anti-sigma minus hyperon particle and the total synthesis of bovine insulin.

Since the launch of the Pilot Project of the Knowledge Innovation Program in 1998, CAS has made a series of major scientific breakthroughs especially in energy and resources system, new material and green manufacture systems, information networking system, ecological higher value agriculture and bio-industry system, health insurance system, ecology and environment preservation and development system, space and ocean system, national and public security system.

6. What is CAS’ responsibility in the 21st century?

In basic research areas, focusing on the forefront of world science and targeting the crucial scientific issues, CAS will further intensify its efforts to promote original innovation, and to achieve world standards.

In strategic advanced technology and systems integration, CAS will respond to the strategic needs of the country and precisely identify the global frontiers of advanced technology.

In the fields of vital public interest, CAS will continue to focus on the important scientific and technological requirements of sustainable national or regional social and economic development in China, giving full play to its overall advantages.

In terms of research systems, CAS will reform, innovate and forge ahead in harmony, so as to achieve even greater innovation and make more contributions to building a harmonious society.

7. How about international cooperation and exchanges of CAS?

CAS attaches great importance to international cooperation and exchanges. International cooperation and exchange activities with CAS scientists’ participation expanded from 10,000 person/times in 1998 to 24,000 person/times in 2008. By 2008, CAS has signed 181 cooperation agreements at the academy level and over 835 exchange agreements at institute level with international organizations. The CAS affiliates jointly established more than 92 research institutions with their foreign counterparts. About 1,000 scientists in those international collaborations are taking executive positions in international science organizations or institutions. In 2008, CAS hosted 345 international conferences and bi-lateral academic conferences.

8. I would like to work on my Doctor’s/Master’s degrees at a CAS institute. Where can I apply?

University graduates with outstanding qualifications can work on their Doctor’s/Master’s degrees at CAS institutes in areas that are part of the research at that institute. In 2010, a total of 4,767 Doctor’s degrees and 3,949 Master’s degrees were awarded in CAS, with 10 awardees from Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Chinese Taiwan, and 14 from countries outside of China.

Each individual CAS institute is responsible for selecting candidates. Interested university graduates have to contact the respective CAS institute that work in the area relevant to their academic profile.

9. I am a postdoc and would like to carry out a research project at a CAS institute. Where is this possible? How can I apply?

Post-doctoral candidates with outstanding qualifications can work on a research topic at CAS institutes.

The selection of awarding postdoc positions rests with separate CAS institutes. Interested students may contact the CAS institute that works in the research area relevant to their academic profile.

10. As a foreign researcher, can I apply for a fellowship from CAS?

Yes, you may apply for a fellowship from CAS. All CAS laboratories are open to foreign partners. We have now started to receive and support highly qualified foreign scientists who would like to join us. We have established special scholarships in different areas, supporting mostly foreign scientists. Such fellowships and awards include the Einstein Professorship, the Visiting Professorship for Senior International Scientists, Programs for International Partnership Groups, Fellowships for Young International Scientists and TWAS-CAS Fellowships for Visiting Scholars, Postgraduate and Postdoctoral. For more information about the programs and the application procedures, please refer to http://english.bic.cas.cn/AF/ and http://english.cas.cn/IC/AF/.

11. I am interested in research at CAS. Where can I find relevant information?

The website of CAS with further links to CAS institutes provides information on the researches going on at CAS. You may also find useful information at http://english.cas.cn/JU/.

12. How can I post a job for CAS students?

Interested employers may contact CAS Bureau of Personnel and Education (Tel: 86 10 68597420; Fax: 86 10 68522353; Email：caspe@cashq.ac.cn) or the Personnel and Education Section of separate CAS institutes.