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People
The group is led by Prof. Yong Zhang, with members from backgrounds spanning materials, chemistry, physics and devices. We believe good research comes from honest communication and free exploration — you can argue at a group meeting, but you must be rigorous at the bench.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor · Ph.D. Supervisor · Principal Investigator
Dr Yong Zhang is an Assistant Professor in the Thrust of Sustainable Energy and Environment, Function Hub, at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Sungkyunkwan University in Korea in 2020, working with Prof. Nam-Gyu Park, one of the founding scholars in the field of perovskite photovoltaics. After his PhD he joined the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), where he served as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow and then a Research Assistant Professor, before formally joining HKUST (Guangzhou) in February 2025.
His research focuses on the photovoltaic materials and devices of metal halide perovskites, with systematic work on high-purity precursor synthesis, optimization of perovskite material performance, solar cell architecture design and stability improvement. To date he has published 80 SCI papers, 33 of them as (co-)first or corresponding author in Nature (2), Science (2), Nature Materials, Nature Energy, Nature Synthesis, Energy & Environmental Science, JACS, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Energy Materials and ACS Energy Letters, with more than 6,000 citations in total.
In his view, designing an interfacial material is not only about whether it conducts well, but also about its "chemical compatibility" with the raw materials used in production — a principle that runs through the group's day-to-day research.
Career
From Seoul to Shenzhen and on to Guangzhou — a path of sustained work around perovskite photovoltaics.
2025 — present
Thrust of Sustainable Energy and Environment, Function Hub; leader of an independent group (PI). Joined formally in February 2025.
2021 — 2025
Also a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow (selected in 2021), working on perovskite photovoltaic materials and devices.
2020
Supervisor: Prof. Nam-Gyu Park (one of the founding scholars in the field of perovskite solar cells).
Members
The group currently has 12 active members and 4 alumni. They come from backgrounds spanning materials, chemistry, physics and devices, brought together by one thing — bringing perovskite photovoltaics truly out of the laboratory.
The roster, groupings, member photographs and email addresses are taken from the group's official pages. For the alumni whose email addresses are not listed, please contact the group's general email address. Want to join the team? See the open positions below or the full recruitment information.
Group Photos
The moments outside group meetings — a Teachers' Day cake, an argument beside the glovebox, a group photo on the steps outside. Research is not a solo activity, and these pictures say it best.







Openings
The group recruits PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and research assistants on an ongoing basis, with Red Bird MPhil and visiting student places also open — you are welcome to become part of the next cohort.
Background in materials, chemistry, physics or electronics. Full scholarship of RMB 15,000 / month.
Now hiringStrong publication record preferred; support from national, Guangdong and Guangzhou postdoctoral schemes.
Rolling intakeFor early-career researchers who already hold a degree, to take part in experiments and project delivery. Compensation negotiable.
Rolling intakeStudents already admitted to the Red Bird MPhil programme at HKUST (Guangzhou) may contact us by email to join the group.
Open to applyStudents from universities at home and abroad are welcome for short visits, joint experiments and research projects.
Enquiries welcomeThe group collaborates with universities and companies at home and abroad; joint training and project collaboration are welcome.
Open to collaborationCulture
"To become a scientist, you must first become an artist." — Yong Zhang
What an artist sees is never a world others have not seen, but the things others overlook — a beaker of solution that has changed colour, for instance. Starting from one neglected detail, the group eventually arrived at a new research principle: when designing an interfacial material, it is not enough to look at conductivity alone — you must also consider its "chemical compatibility" with the production raw materials.
In the group we encourage an "always on call" research rhythm: raise problems as they arise, discuss ideas whenever they come, go to sleep with a question — and a new approach may be there in the morning.

The group recruits PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and research assistants on an ongoing basis, and looks forward to bringing perovskite photovoltaics to industry with you.