CCGES CUG–HKU JOINT CENTER
Photo: Jimmy Jiao

CUG × HKU / CCGES

CUG–HKU Joint Center for Coastal Groundwater and Ecosystem Studies

中国地质大学（武汉）–香港大学海岸带地下水与生态系统联合中心

Understanding groundwater at the land–sea interface to advance coastal ecological security, blue carbon research and integrated coastal management.

Explore our research About the Center View opportunities

Photo: Jimmy Jiao

JOINTLY ESTABLISHED BY
China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) School of Environmental Studies The University of Hong Kong Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

01 / ABOUT THE CENTER

Groundwater connects land, sea and ecosystems.

The CUG–HKU Joint Center for Coastal Groundwater and Ecosystem Studies brings together the School of Environmental Studies at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Hong Kong. It focuses on coastal land–sea interactions and groundwater-mediated exchanges of water, materials and energy.

Building on the complementary strengths of the two universities, the Center links field observations, hydrogeochemical investigations and numerical modeling to understand groundwater–ecosystem interactions and develop an integrated land–sea research framework.

FOUR CORE TASKS IN THE CENTER’S DEVELOPMENT PLAN

01 Integrated land–sea modeling
02 Ecological early warning
03 Coastal observation networks
04 Climate resilience assessment

02 / RESEARCH

Four connected research themes

Four themes within one groundwater–ecosystem framework.

01

Hydrogeological processes and blue carbon effects in coastal wetland ecosystems

Investigating groundwater links with mangroves and salt marshes, including vegetation patterns, nutrient exchange, carbon storage and export.

Research focus

Priorities include hydrogeological–ecological models, groundwater effects on roots and vegetation, and carbon sequestration assessment.

Priority regions in the development plan

Dongzhai Harbour; Hong Kong mangroves; Yellow Sea–Bohai Sea salt marshes

02

Coastal ecological resilience and climate adaptation

Examining groundwater pathways that affect nutrient delivery, harmful algal blooms, coastal hypoxia and acidification.

Research focus

Planned work connects groundwater and biogeochemical processes with ecological responses to develop AI-assisted early-warning and management approaches.

Priority regions in the development plan

Greater Bay Area; Yangtze and Yellow River estuaries; Bohai Bay

03

Coastal geoengineering for pollution and carbon reduction

Addressing seawater intrusion and emerging-contaminant exposure through monitoring, remediation and coastal geoengineering.

Research focus

Planned work covers salinity, contaminants and storm-surge influences, alongside development of intrusion-control, groundwater-remediation and pollution- and carbon-reduction technologies.

Priority regions in the development plan

Intrusion-affected coasts of the Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea and East China Sea

04

Nearshore Earth system modeling and integrated land–sea management

Developing integrated geological, groundwater and ocean-circulation models to trace water and solutes across coastal and offshore systems.

Research focus

Planned applications include three-dimensional geological models of major estuaries and the Greater Bay Area to support coordinated land–sea resource management.

Priority regions in the development plan

Tolo Harbour; South China Sea; major estuarine systems

Original diagrams illustrate research themes and development concepts; they do not indicate that planned facilities are already operational.

03 / PLATFORMS & FIELD RESEARCH

From depth-discrete observations to land–sea process modeling

The Center builds on the two university teams’ research foundations, combining depth-discrete groundwater measurements, coastal surveys and process-based modeling.

A connected land–sea research perspective

01

Multi-depth monitoring

Depth-discrete groundwater levels and chemistry across aquifer–aquitard systems.

Explore HKU-DHS
02

Hydrochemistry & isotope tracing

Hydrochemical and isotopic evidence for groundwater sources, discharge and exchanges.

03

Geological & numerical models

Linking heterogeneous geology, groundwater flow, solute transport and coastal oceans.

Explore HKU-DHS Dual Purpose System Groundwater Samplers

DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY — PLANNED

Coastal observation networks and regional priorities

The Center plans to develop multi-depth monitoring wells, automated measurements of groundwater level, water quality and tides, laboratory capabilities and high-performance computing. A coastal eco-hydrogeological field observation and research station is an important development goal.

Potential locations include Dongzhai Harbour, the Shanghai region, the milu reserve in Jiangsu and the Pearl River Delta. Implementation and formal designation will follow official announcements.

Priority regions in the development plan

Greater Bay Area · Dongzhai Harbour, Hainan · Yangtze River estuary · Yellow Sea–Bohai Sea coasts

04 / PEOPLE & COLLABORATION

Academic organization and Joint Center members

The Joint Center brings together the CUG (Wuhan) team and all members of the HKU Hydrogeology Research Group.

Joint Center member directory

Explore the CUG (Wuhan) and HKU teams, their research interests and public academic profiles.

Showing 22 of 22 listed members

Photograph of Jianmei CHENG

CUG (Wuhan) team

Professor · PhD supervisor

Jianmei CHENG

成建梅

jmcheng@cug.edu.cn

Numerical modeling of groundwater flow and solute transport, coupled flow–transport–deformation processes, GIS applications, geological CO₂ storage and geoscience big data.

Coastal research

Three-dimensional variable-density modeling of seawater intrusion in multilayered coastal aquifers, tidal groundwater responses and seabed boundary characterization, and seawater-intrusion evolution along Shenzhen’s west coast.

University profile
Photograph of Yamin DENG

CUG (Wuhan) team

Professor · PhD supervisor

Yamin DENG

邓娅敏

yamin.deng@cug.edu.cn

Groundwater contamination and remediation, environmental effects of water–rock interactions, and groundwater quality and health.

Coastal research

Groundwater in Dongzhai Harbour mangroves; groundwater-driven cycling of biogenic elements and associated ecological effects in mangrove wetlands.

University profile
Photograph of Yao DU

CUG (Wuhan) team

Researcher · PhD supervisor

Yao DU

杜尧

yaodu@cug.edu.cn

Hydrogeochemistry and ecohydrogeology, including nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment and environmental effects in groundwater–wetland systems.

Coastal research

High-ammonium groundwater in the Pearl River Delta; geogenic ammonium enrichment and organic matter transformation in coastal aquifers.

University profile
Photograph of Junxia LI

CUG (Wuhan) team

Professor · PhD supervisor

Junxia LI

李俊霞

jxli@cug.edu.cn

Hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry, with a focus on iodine transport, transformation and hydro-biogeochemical processes in groundwater.

Coastal research

Chlorine and iodine in seawater-intrusion areas of the North China Plain; hydro-biogeochemistry of high-iodine coastal aquifers.

University profile
Photograph of Lu YAN

CUG (Wuhan) team

Associate Professor

Lu YAN

严璐

Hydro-biogeochemical processes of groundwater organic matter, ecological effects of submarine groundwater discharge, and geogenic arsenic enrichment.

Coastal research

Organic matter in mangrove groundwater, including groundwater-driven sulfurization of dissolved organic matter in mangrove wetlands.

University profile
Photograph of Kang PENG

CUG (Wuhan) team

Faculty

Kang PENG

彭康

Numerical modeling of mangrove groundwater, saltwater–freshwater mixing, and reactive transport of biogenic elements.

Coastal research

Field observations and numerical models of tidal groundwater discharge, mixing and the fate of biogenic elements in mangrove aquifers.

Related research paper

This directory currently includes seven CUG (Wuhan)-side members and 15 named HKU group members. Additional profiles can be added as information becomes available. Specific academic titles and contact details follow the linked public sources.

View the HKU group profiles

Wuhan–Hong Kong collaboration

The Center’s development plan connects Wuhan and Hong Kong through collaborative research, academic exchange and short-term research visits for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. It aims to cultivate interdisciplinary expertise across hydrogeology, ecology, geochemistry and numerical modeling.

Research collaboration and academic exchange enquiries are welcome. Specific visiting, training and recruitment arrangements will follow the relevant announcements and procedures of the two universities.

Research group publications

The group publication directory is a research resource; original publication affiliations are not changed by Center membership.

05 / JOIN US

Postdoctoral and National Young Talent Recruitment

To strengthen its research team, the Center invites applications for postdoctoral positions from researchers in China and overseas. Eligible outstanding young scholars overseas are invited to apply for the Overseas Excellent Young Talents program and other national young talent programs with China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) as the host institution, and scholars selected for national young talent programs in China are welcome to join the Center.

Postdoctoral positions

4 positions · one in each direction

Applications hosted by CUG

Overseas Excellent Young Talents

National young talent recruitment

Outstanding scholars are welcome

Postdoctoral recruitment

The Center plans to recruit four postdoctoral researchers in the following four directions, with one position in each. Postdoctoral registration will, in principle, be arranged through China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), with the Joint Center as the main research platform. Depending on research needs, researchers will participate in collaborative research, academic exchange and field investigations between China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and The University of Hong Kong.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration across the four directions, using shared study areas and data, is encouraged. Specific research tasks will be determined in light of each applicant’s research background and the Center’s needs.

Rolling review until all positions are filled

Direction 01

1 position

Coastal surface water–groundwater–seawater interactions and hydrodynamic mechanisms

Integrated observations and mechanistic studies of water exchange across rivers, estuaries, coastal aquifers, intertidal zones and nearshore waters.

Research scope and requirements
Research scope

Conduct integrated observations and mechanistic studies of surface water–groundwater–seawater interactions in rivers, estuaries, coastal aquifers, intertidal zones and nearshore waters. Combine field investigations, multi-depth monitoring, experiments and hydrodynamic process analysis to quantify river–groundwater exchange, tidally driven seawater infiltration and groundwater discharge, and the transport and exchange fluxes of water, salt and contaminants between water bodies. Examine how rainfall, runoff, tides, storm surges and groundwater abstraction regulate exchange direction, intensity and spatiotemporal variation, and identify key controls on seawater intrusion and submarine groundwater discharge.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD in hydrogeology, hydrology, groundwater science and engineering, environmental science and engineering, marine science or a related field. They should have a strong research background in at least one of the following: coastal hydrological processes, surface water–groundwater interactions, groundwater–seawater interactions, seawater intrusion, submarine groundwater discharge, or water and salt transport. Relevant experience in field investigations, hydrological monitoring, experimental research or quantitative analysis of observational data is required, together with the ability to design observations or experiments around scientific questions and undertake hydrodynamic analysis, exchange-flux estimation or identification of driving factors.

Apply for this direction

Direction 02

1 position

Integrated land–sea groundwater modeling, data assimilation and intelligent early warning

Three-dimensional hydrogeological and variable-density groundwater modeling, multi-source data assimilation, scientific AI and risk early warning.

Research scope and requirements
Research scope

Integrate borehole, stratigraphic, geophysical, remote-sensing and monitoring data to model three-dimensional coastal hydrogeological structures and multiscale heterogeneity, and develop integrated land–sea variable-density groundwater flow and solute transport models. Focus on parameter inversion, data assimilation and uncertainty quantification constrained by multiple observation sources. Develop scientific AI methods, including physics-constrained machine learning, surrogate models and generative models, to improve computational efficiency and prediction reliability in complex groundwater systems. Apply these methods to scenario prediction, probabilistic early warning and monitoring-network optimization for seawater intrusion, groundwater contamination and associated ecological and environmental risks.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD in hydrogeology, groundwater science and engineering, hydrology, geological engineering, environmental science and engineering, computational geoscience, applied mathematics or a related field, with a strong research background in at least one of the following: numerical groundwater simulation, three-dimensional hydrogeological modeling, parameter inversion, data assimilation, uncertainty analysis or scientific machine learning. A foundation in groundwater dynamics and solute transport is required. Applicants should be familiar with at least one platform such as MODFLOW 6, SEAWAT, FEFLOW, TOUGHREACT or PFLOTRAN, or have experience developing related numerical models. They should be able to use at least one language such as Python, MATLAB, R or C++ for scientific computing and undertake model construction, calibration, validation and interpretation.

Apply for this direction

Direction 03

1 position

Microbial cultivation and physiology

Enrichment and pure cultures of functional microorganisms, anaerobic metabolic pathways, microbial physiology and environmental adaptation.

Research scope and requirements
Research scope

Study key functional microorganisms in coastal groundwater and sedimentary environments. Develop enrichment and pure-culture systems, verify the activity of microbial metabolic pathways such as fermentation, nitrate reduction and metal reduction under anaerobic conditions, characterize the physiology of key functional microorganisms, and investigate their adaptation to environmental gradients in salinity, organic matter and redox conditions.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD in environmental microbiology, microbial physiology or a related field, have experience in anaerobic microbial cultivation, and be familiar with the design of microbial physiology experiments. Experience in enrichment of functional microorganisms, isolation of pure cultures, or microbiological research in groundwater and sedimentary environments is preferred. Applicants should have a strong interest in groundwater or sediment microbiology and good skills in laboratory practice, experimental record-keeping, data analysis and scientific writing in English.

Apply for this direction

Direction 04

1 position

Isotope biogeochemistry

Stable-isotope tracing of microbial elemental transformations and their rates, linked with metagenomic functional predictions.

Research scope and requirements
Research scope

Use stable-isotope tracers such as ¹⁵N and ¹³C to quantify microbially driven elemental transformations and their rates. Combine metagenomic functional predictions with isotope data to connect microbial metabolic potential with measured process rates, and contribute to the design of field sampling and laboratory incubation experiments involving coastal groundwater, sediments and other environmental media.

Requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD in isotope geochemistry, biogeochemistry or a related field, have experience in stable-isotope tracer experiments, and be familiar with instruments such as IRMS and GC-MS or associated sample-preparation methods. They should understand microbially driven nitrogen, carbon or sulfur cycling and have strong data-analysis skills, including statistical analysis and visualization using R, Python or other tools.

Apply for this direction
General requirements for postdoctoral applicants
  1. Have obtained a PhD, or expect to obtain it soon, and meet the postdoctoral registration requirements of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan).
  2. Observe academic standards and demonstrate research integrity and professional ethics.
  3. In principle, be able to work full-time as a postdoctoral researcher and independently formulate scientific questions, design research and advance research work.
  4. Have good English reading, academic writing and international communication skills.
  5. Demonstrate a collaborative approach and willingness to participate in joint research between China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and The University of Hong Kong and in interdisciplinary collaboration.
  6. Be able to contribute, as appropriate to the research direction, to field observations, laboratory analysis, numerical computation, or the development of data and research platforms.
  7. Provide representative outputs that demonstrate personal contributions and independent research ability. Publication counts and journal rankings will not be the sole criteria for evaluation.
Postdoctoral remuneration and development support

Remuneration

Postdoctoral researchers receive the standard postdoctoral remuneration and benefits of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan).

In addition to the University’s standard package, the Center will provide performance-based rewards based on individual qualifications, research ability, fit with the position, assigned tasks, work progress and actual contributions. The form and level of these rewards will be determined by the Center in light of the researcher’s work and implemented in accordance with University and Center rules.

Research conditions

The Center will provide research conditions and team support appropriate to each postdoctoral researcher’s direction, including:

  • Interdisciplinary teams spanning coastal groundwater, geochemistry, microbiology, isotopes, ecology and the environment, and numerical modeling;
  • Field research foundations in rivers, estuaries, intertidal zones, coastal groundwater and nearshore waters;
  • Borehole, stratigraphic, geophysical, remote-sensing, hydrogeological and long-term monitoring data;
  • Groundwater, sediment, porewater and nearshore seawater samples and associated experimental facilities;
  • Multi-depth groundwater monitoring, automated monitoring and sampling capabilities;
  • Three-dimensional hydrogeological modeling, numerical groundwater simulation and high-performance computing resources;
  • Relevant research platforms and international collaborative networks at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and The University of Hong Kong.

The Center plans to develop multi-depth monitoring-well networks, automated monitoring systems, relevant laboratory instruments and high-performance computing platforms for numerical simulation to support interdisciplinary postdoctoral research.

Research funding and academic development

The Center will support applications to the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other research programs; participation in major domestic and international conferences; interdisciplinary collaborative research; development of open datasets, models and research code; and publication of high-quality research papers.

Depending on research tasks and collaboration needs, postdoctoral researchers may visit The University of Hong Kong for short-term collaborative research, academic exchange and joint data analysis. The Wuhan–Hong Kong collaboration mechanism supports early-career researchers in expanding their international perspectives and networks.

For postdoctoral researchers whose work is outstanding and closely aligned with the Center’s development priorities, the Center will actively support applications to young talent programs and participation in relevant competitive recruitment processes in accordance with University policies.

National young talent recruitment and Overseas Excellent Young Talents applications

The Center invites eligible outstanding young scholars overseas to apply for the National Natural Science Foundation of China’s Overseas Excellent Young Talents program and other national young talent programs with China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) as the host institution and the Joint Center as the main research platform and team base.

The Center also welcomes, on an ongoing basis, outstanding scholars already selected for national young talent programs in China, as well as early enquiries from young scholars with a strong foundation and potential for such applications.

Requirements concerning age, work experience, return to China, eligibility and application timing are subject to the official notices issued for the relevant year by the national authorities and China University of Geosciences (Wuhan).

Priority research areas
  • Coastal hydrogeology and offshore groundwater;
  • Surface water–groundwater–seawater interactions;
  • Submarine groundwater discharge and land–sea material fluxes;
  • Coastal microorganisms and biogeochemical cycling;
  • Isotope geochemistry and environmental tracing;
  • Seawater intrusion, groundwater contamination and emerging-contaminant transport;
  • Three-dimensional coastal geology and multiscale heterogeneous structures;
  • Integrated land–sea groundwater and nearshore Earth system modeling;
  • Data assimilation, scientific artificial intelligence, digital twins and ecological risk early warning;
  • Coastal ecological security, climate adaptation, and resource and environmental management.

Applicants’ research interests need not be limited to these areas. Enquiries are welcome from researchers developing original, interdisciplinary studies of groundwater connections among terrestrial, river, estuarine, wetland and nearshore marine processes.

Support available

For scholars applying to national young talent programs through China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and the Center, support will be tailored to their research background and field. It includes refinement of research directions, review of representative achievements, evaluation of application plans, editing of application materials, pre-review by internal and external experts, and mock defenses. The Center will also help connect applicants with relevant teams, field sites, experimental and modeling platforms, and data resources at both universities.

For scholars already selected for national young talent programs who plan to join the Center, the University and Center will discuss appointments, remuneration, research start-up support, office and laboratory space, team development, field observation conditions, high-performance computing and international collaboration within the relevant policy frameworks, with differentiated and individualized arrangements.

Application materials

Postdoctoral applications
  1. CV covering education, work experience, research interests and contact details;
  2. Proof of the doctoral degree; applicants who have not yet received the degree should state the expected award date;
  3. Representative papers, patents, software, code, datasets or other research outputs;
  4. A statement of personal contributions to the representative outputs;
  5. A summary of previous research work;
  6. A proposed postdoctoral research plan, including scientific questions, methods, expected outputs and connections with the Center’s research directions;
  7. Names and contact details of two peer experts, doctoral supervisors or collaborating supervisors;
  8. Expected date of postdoctoral registration;
  9. Other materials demonstrating research ability and actual contributions.
National young talent applications
  1. Detailed CV;
  2. Representative achievements and a statement of personal academic contributions;
  3. Proposed research directions and future work plans based at the Joint Center;
  4. A description of overseas education and work experience, or selection for a national young talent program;
  5. Initial requirements for research platforms, team development, and office and laboratory facilities;
  6. Other materials relevant to the assessment of program applications or recruitment.

How to apply and contacts

Combine the relevant application materials into a single PDF file and email it to the appropriate contact for your application category.

Postdoctoral directions 1 and 2

Dr. Chuanjun Zhan

zhancj@hku.hk

Email subject format

博士后申请—方向一/方向二—姓名—现工作单位

Postdoctoral directions 3 and 4

Dr. Meiqing Lu

u3005778@connect.hku.hk

Email subject format

博士后申请—方向三/方向四—姓名—现工作单位

Overseas Excellent Young Talents applications and national young talent recruitment

Prof. Jiu Jimmy Jiao

Director of the Joint Center

jjiao@hku.hk

Email subject format

青年人才申请—姓名—研究方向—现工作单位

Use the subject format shown above and replace placeholders such as 姓名 (name) and 现工作单位 (current affiliation) with your own details.

Email links open your mail application. Attach your combined PDF before sending.

Selection and other information

  1. Application materials will be kept strictly confidential and used only for the Center’s talent selection, position matching and assessment of talent-program applications.
  2. Initial assessment will consider research background, representative achievements, fit with the position, independent research ability and future potential.
  3. Applicants who pass the initial assessment will be invited to online or in-person academic discussions and interviews.
  4. Postdoctoral applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
  5. Enquiries about CUG-hosted Overseas Excellent Young Talents applications and national young talent recruitment are welcome on an ongoing basis. Applications and recruitment will follow national and China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) policies.
  6. Applicants may state their expected start date and initial needs for laboratory conditions, field observations, data resources, numerical computing and team collaboration.

Closing invitation

Coastal zones connect land and sea, geological processes and ecological environments. Groundwater is both an important component of the land–sea water cycle and a carrier of water, salts, nutrients and contaminants between terrestrial areas, estuaries and nearshore waters.

The CUG-HKU Joint Center for Coastal Groundwater and Ecosystem Studies invites outstanding young scholars in China and overseas with independent thinking, interdisciplinary research backgrounds and a collaborative spirit to join us in exploring frontier questions in coastal groundwater and ecosystems and developing an internationally influential coastal hydrogeology research platform.

06 / CENTER UPDATES

Launch materials and official information

2026 06.04

4 June 2026 · launch presentation

Connecting land and sea: presentation for the Joint Center launch

The presentation outlines the Center’s background and mission, research priorities, team and platform development, and implementation plans.

Research group news

07 / CONTACT

Connect with the research partnership.

Enquiries about coastal groundwater and ecosystem research.

HKU contact

Dr. Chuanjun Zhan

CUG contact

Dr. Lu Yan

Related resources

Group publications Explore HKU-DHS Education

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