Ding's research mainly focuses on the Neogene eolian sediments and ancient climate. He is the current director-general of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.[4] He is also the vice president of the Chinese Society for Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry.[5]
In December 2005, Ding was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In January 2008, he was appointed the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[6]
On 7 December 2020, pursuant to Executive Order 13936, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on all 14 NPCSC vice chairpersons including Ding, for "undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and restricting the freedom of expression or assembly."[9]
^"丁仲礼" [Ding Zhongli]. China Knowledge Centre for Engineering Sciences and Technology. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
^"詹文龙、丁仲礼、阴和俊任中科院副院长" [Zhan Wenlong, Ding Zhongli, Yin Hejun appointed as the vice presidents of the Chinese Academy of Sciences]. Xinhua News Agency. 17 January 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2023.