One of Harvard’s most respected statisticians, Liu Jun, has left the United States after 25 years to take up a new role at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The move, first reported by the South China Morning Post, marks a significant moment in China’s push to attract top scientific talent back home.
Liu is known globally for his pioneering work in Bayesian statistics, Monte Carlo methods, and computational biology. His research on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms has shaped how scientists handle high-dimensional data, with applications ranging from genetics to genomics. According to Harvard’s Department of Statistics, he has also supervised dozens of graduate students who are now leaders in both academia and industry.
At his welcome ceremony in Beijing, Liu said his decision was guided by a love for scientific research and a strong sense of patriotism. He emphasized the opportunity to mentor the next generation of Chinese mathematicians and data scientists. His arrival coincides with the launch of Tsinghua’s new Department of Statistics and Data Science, which was set up this summer. Coverage by Mothership noted that Liu’s appointment is seen as a major boost to the university’s credibility in the field.
Observers also point out that Liu’s move reflects a wider trend. Over the past few years, a growing number of Chinese-born academics have opted to return from the U.S. and Europe, citing both opportunities at home and challenges abroad. Rising visa scrutiny, research funding pressures, and geopolitical tensions have created hurdles for international scholars in the U.S., leading some to reconsider where they can make the most impact. China has increasingly been investing heavily in science infrastructure and offering attractive packages to lure back overseas experts.
For Harvard, Liu’s departure leaves a gap in one of its strongest departments. But for China, his return signals another step in reversing the so-called “brain drain.” With his experience bridging U.S. and Chinese institutions, Liu is expected to help shape collaborations, train young talent, and accelerate progress in areas like AI, data science, and computational genomics.
As one of the most prominent figures in his field, Liu’s homecoming shows how the global map of scientific talent is shifting – and how China is positioning itself at the center of that change.
