He was born in Almaty city, the Kazakh, with honor graduated from civil engineering department of Kazakh Polytechnic Institute and postgraduate full-time tuition of Moscow Civil Engineering Institute. He defended his dissertation for an academic degree of Candidate and Doctor of Sciences.
     The scientific and research activity began in Kazakh Polytechnic Institute, after graduation of post graduate study he joined Kazakh State Academy of Architecture and Construction, where held positions from assistant to professor. From 1986 to 1990 has worked as the Dean of Construction Sub department. He was the initiator and organizer of new direction in training of technicians - integration of business education with technological background, and headed new sub department “Management in construction” and department called “Management and business in construction” from 1990 till 2000.
     In 2000 was offered work as National Consultant of World Bank on project: “Creation of the national center of civil servant training” at the Agency for Public services of the Republic of Kazakhstan and managed course at the Academy for Public Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
    In 2001 he joined the public service as the Director of the Department of State Inspection and Informatization of Education of Ministry of Education and Science RK.
     In 2004 by contest was appointed Rector of the Semipalatinsk State University named after Shakarim.
     In April, 2008 by the Decree of President of Republic of Kazakhstan N.A.Nazarbayev was appointed Rector of Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I.Satpayev.
   The scientific activities of Zh.M.Adilov are dealt with the problem of working out of theoretical basics of management of complicated social and economic systems with the purpose of transition to the model of sustained development. He is one of the authors of Concept of transformation and further development of complex construction of country, the project of creation of an industrial park in Almaty city, the National system of quality assessment of education and the Concept of Development of Education in the Republic of Kazakhstan till 2015.
     The scientific and pedagogical activity of Zh.Adilov is received a wide reputation and recognition not only in Kazakhstan but also in abroad. Author of more than 100 scientific methodological research papers, including 7 monographs and 8 textbooks, eight candidates of Economic Sciences are trained under his research supervision, spoke with reports at the International conferences and seminars in Russia, USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Turkey and Hong Kong.
      Zh.M.Adilov was chosen as honorary Academician and Chairman of Department of Earth Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences RK, Academician of International Engineering Academy RK and International Academy of Informatization.
    For a major contribution introduced in development of science and higher education Zh.M.Adilov awarded with government awards and encouragements. Holder of “Kurmet” and “For consolidation of community”, awarded with Jubilee Medals “10 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, “10 years of the Constitution of Kazakhstan” and “10 years to Astana”. For merit in development of science of RK “Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, “Ybray Altynsarin”, he has 2 President’s commendations. Honorary citizen of the city Tusson (state Arisona, USA).