Quantum Physicist Leaves ETH Zurich for Fudan University

Zhu Zijie's return to China highlights global competition for scientific talent.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:58pm

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A bold, abstract painting featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise spirals in earthy tones, conceptually representing the complex forces of quantum physics without using any text or diagrams.Zhu Zijie's move from a prestigious Swiss university to a top Chinese institution reflects the global competition for scientific talent and the need to balance national ambition with international collaboration.Today in Orlando

Zhu Zijie, a 30-year-old quantum physicist, has decided to leave his prestigious position at ETH Zurich in Switzerland to return to China and join the faculty at Fudan University. Zhu's work on the behavior of cold atoms has earned him recognition in top scientific journals, and his move highlights China's growing ambition to attract top global talent through initiatives like the 'Xianghui' program.

Why it matters

Zhu's decision raises questions about the balance between international scientific collaboration and national ambition. While China's efforts to recruit leading researchers are commendable, the global scientific community must also maintain an environment that fosters the free exchange of ideas across borders.

The details

At just 30 years old, Zhu Zijie had already achieved remarkable success, publishing groundbreaking research in journals like Science and Nature. His work on the behavior of cold atoms earned him a prestigious position at ETH Zurich, the alma mater of Albert Einstein. However, Zhu has now decided to leave Switzerland and return to China, where he will join the faculty at Fudan University as part of the 'Xianghui' program, an initiative aimed at attracting top scientific talent to the country.

  • Zhu Zijie made the decision to leave ETH Zurich in early 2026.
  • Zhu will begin his new role at Fudan University in September 2026.

The players

Zhu Zijie

A 30-year-old quantum physicist who has decided to leave his position at ETH Zurich in Switzerland to join the faculty at Fudan University in China.

Fudan University

A prestigious university in China that has launched the 'Xianghui' program to attract top scientific talent from around the world.

ETH Zurich

A renowned technical university in Switzerland, known as the alma mater of Albert Einstein, where Zhu Zijie previously held a prestigious research position.

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What’s next

Zhu Zijie will begin his new role at Fudan University in September 2026, marking the start of a new chapter in his scientific career.

The takeaway

Zhu Zijie's move from ETH Zurich to Fudan University highlights the global competition for scientific talent and the need to balance national ambition with international collaboration in the scientific community.