Even Harvard Professors Move to China: U.S. Science and Engineering Talent Leaving for China

American Science and Engineering Talent Flock to China
Nanjing University Introduces "National High-Level Young Overseas Talent" on Its Website

American science and engineering talent, including a nanoscientist in his 60s who retired from Harvard University and a materials scientist in his 30s, are increasingly choosing to move to China. As the technological rivalry between the United States and China intensifies, China is interpreted as becoming more proactive at the national level in recruiting overseas talent.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on May 2, Charles Lieber, 66, a former Harvard professor who played a pioneering role in integrating nanotechnology into biology and medicine, announced via the official social media of the Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School that he will begin research at this prestigious Chinese university's campus in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

Charles Lee (second from left), appointed as a professor at Tsinghua University. Official SNS of Tsinghua University Shenzhen International Graduate School

He is also reportedly set to conduct research at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology in Medicine, established by biologist Nieng Yan, who returned to China in 2022 after working at Princeton University. In December 2021, Lieber was found guilty by a federal jury in Boston of making false statements related to China's "Thousand Talents Plan." He retired from Harvard University in February 2023.

The "Thousand Talents Plan," launched by the Chinese government in December 2008, is an overseas talent recruitment program that aims to attract 1,000 world-class scholars and professors by investing a massive budget. As part of its "foreign technology acquisition" strategy, the Chinese government offers participating overseas scientists high salaries, housing, healthcare, and various other benefits.

However, Lieber denied participating in the Thousand Talents Plan and was indicted for making false income reports while concealing research funds received from the Chinese government. In an interview with SCMP last year, he stated that he was exploring research opportunities in China and Hong Kong.

Additionally, Li Yongxi, a materials scientist in his 30s who previously worked at the University of Michigan, recently joined the Institute of Functional Materials and Intelligent Manufacturing at Nanjing University's Suzhou campus as an associate professor. He is expected to focus on developing transparent solar technology and wearable medical devices at Nanjing University.

The Nanjing University Suzhou campus introduced Professor Li on its website as a "National High-Level Young Overseas Talent," indicating that he was recruited as part of the Thousand Talents Plan.

Professor Li, who earned his doctorate from East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai, has filed 10 patents in the United States, three of which have been successfully transferred for commercialization. He was recognized for his achievements at the University of Michigan, where he received the "Science Exploration Award" and was named an "Outstanding Scientist." Notably, Alex Lamb, a prominent artificial intelligence (AI) scientist, is also set to join the Tsinghua University AI Graduate School as an assistant professor in the upcoming fall semester.

SCMP reported, "Having built a career at major U.S. big tech companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google DeepMind, and once having assessed China's AI development as lagging, he will now join Tsinghua University to supervise graduate students."