Westlake University is a new type of high-quality research-oriented university based in the historic Chinese city of Hangzhou - a stunning city well-known throughout Asia for its long history, rich culture, fine arts, and beautiful scenery. Our university was founded by prominent globally respected scientists and scholars. We are quickly becoming a leading university for science, engineering, and innovation. At Westlake, we emphasize academic freedom, research excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and international collaboration. We are committed to building a truly international, world-class, research-oriented university.

Quantitative Biology and Complex Systems is an interdisciplinary field that integrates biology, mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering to study living systems in a measurable, predictable, and modellable manner. It employs experimental, computational, and artificial intelligence approaches, along with mathematical and physical modeling, to explore quantitative principles spanning molecular interactions, cellular behaviors, and ecosystems. This discipline aims to discover quantitative laws in biological systems, uncover disease mechanisms, guide intervention strategies, and advance precision medicine and personalized health. The program adopts a rotation-based mentorship system, emphasizing the solidification of students' mathematical and scientific foundations, strengthening scientific thinking, and fostering the ability to independently identify and solve scientific problems. It promotes the development of diverse talents and cultivates top-tier interdisciplinary researchers with systems thinking, innovative capabilities, and cross-disciplinary perspectives.

Application Deadline:

1st Round: November 17, 2025 - January 5, 2026
2nd Round: January 19, 2026 - March 31, 2026

Financial Aid:

Westlake University is committed to making Ph.D. education valuable and affordable. We provide financial support for our doctoral students to cover their tuition, on-campus room and board rates, insurance premiums, and other living costs. All admitted Ph.D. students in our programs receive full or partial tuition waivers and a monthly living stipend to cover daily living expenses. In addition, Westlake houses world-class laboratories and multiple shared facilities that support a diverse array of cutting-edge research. Our facilities are well-funded and well-equipped, giving our Ph.D. students sufficient resources to succeed in their research, academics, and professional endeavors.

Join Inspiring People

At Westlake University, you will learn from and be mentored by their world-class faculty. Over 95% of our professors hail from top-notch universities including MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. In addition, all our senior leadership have studied and/or held positions at distinguished institutions such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale, UPenn, UIUC, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden). You will work and collaborate with these brilliant scientists and engineers changing their world. You will also be surrounded by enthusiastic fellow students who seek challenges in academics, personal growth, and cultural adventures. At Westlake, you will make lifelong friends and connect with future leaders.

A Community for Future Leaders

Westlake University is an intimate, supportive, and diverse community. Different interests and causes are represented by multiple types of student groups, allowing individuals to explore, create, and lead in their own ways. We hope to facilitate an engaging, exciting, and inspiring student life experience for all.

Westlake University Campus

Our beautiful campus was designed by renowned German firm HENN GmbH and is one of the most sustainable and multi-functional campuses in the world. Our campus boasts 300 state-of-the-art independent laboratories, 13 innovation platforms, and six shared research facilities. Our main campus is in the heart of an expanding university town, between a major technology hub and ancient historical ruins, tea plantations, and Westlake UNESCO world heritage site.

"Go International, Go Abroad"

GO INTERNATIONAL

Westlake university’s goal is to recruit 50% domestic and 50% international students to all undergraduate programs to create a truly international study environment.

Our PhD programs recruit students from top global masters’ programs.

GO ABROAD

In addition to your international experience in China, all undergraduate students are required to spend a semester or full academic year at one of their 19 partner universities abroad. We have established study abroad programs with leading universities in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia including UC Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Edinburgh, UC San Diego, Monash University, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and many more.

PhD students are encouraged to study in short-term programs abroad or to present their research at international academic research conferences and forums. There are ample funding opportunities for graduate international experiences.