Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in Materials Innovation for Life Sciences and Energy

Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in HKU
Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES)
of HKU (Ref: 537677)

Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a leading
international university renowned for excellence in research and
education. HKU is a highly international university ranked 11th in
the world by QS in 2027, and it offers a comprehensive range of
programmes across ten faculties. The University’s diverse community
of students and staff — including Ph.D. students and postdoctoral
fellows from top universities in the US, UK, China, and beyond —
contributes to a vibrant, multicultural campus.

Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy
(MILES)

The HKU Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy
(MILES) is a highly interdisciplinary research institute at HKU,
housed in a new state-of-the-art laboratory space in the Tech
Landmark (TLM) Building at HKU and a 12,000 m2 space in Hetao,
Shenzhen, at the HK-China border. MILES brings together around 24
HKU full-time Professors from the Faculties of Science,
Engineering, and Medicine, fostering a collaborative environment at
the interface of these disciplines. It provides a unique platform
for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, materials science,
nanotechnology, biomedical science, and energy innovation. MILES
faculty also enjoy the flexibility to recruit top Ph.D. students
and postdoctoral fellows from all over the world year-round, which
helps to rapidly grow and advance their research teams.

The Positions

We now invite applications for faculty positions at all levels of
Full Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor
. Exceptional candidates may be considered for appointment as
Chair Professor . Appointees will be affiliated with both
MILES and a relevant academic unit at HKU (for example, the
Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science; the Departments
of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Energy, and Electrical and
Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering; the School of
Biomedical Engineering; or the School of Biomedical Sciences in the
Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine).

We are open to virtually all areas of the physical sciences,
engineering, and biomedical sciences that are relevant to
chemistry, materials, and nanoscience. Specific research focus
areas of particular interest include:

• Novel organic and inorganic molecular, polymeric or nanoscale

materials with interesting properties and functions

• Soft materials and biomaterials
• Biophysics and biochemistry involving novel molecules and

materials

• Nanomedicine and bioengineering for new generations of medical

imaging techniques, drugs and vaccines

• Energy materials, catalytic materials, and

electrochemistry

• Electrocatalysis, gas storage and conversions
• Optoelectronic devices, solar cells and novel optical

materials

• Renewable energy solutions, novel batteries, carbon neutrality

approaches

• Computational chemistry, theoretical chemistry
• Machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics for

science (broadly defined).

Qualifications

Applicants should possess the following qualifications and
attributes:

• A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (physical sciences,

engineering, or biomedical sciences)

• A demonstrated ability to secure competitive research

funding

• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring of

students

• For senior positions, (1) an internationally recognized record

of research excellence and scholarly achievement in an area related
to chemistry, materials or nanoscience, and to lead a high-impact
research programme. (2) A collaborative, interdisciplinary mindset
and proven academic leadership experience.

What We Offer

For Assistant Professors, the appointment will be made on
fixed-term full-time contract for 3 years initially with the
possibility of renewal and consideration for tenure before the
expiry of the second three-year fixed-term contract. Exceptionally
outstanding candidates at Professor/Associate Professor level may
be considered for appointment on tenure terms subject to
approval.

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and
experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical
benefits. At current rates, salaries tax does not exceed 15% of
gross income. The appointment will attract a contract-end gratuity
and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme,
totalling up to 15% of basic salary. Housing benefits will also be
provided as applicable.

An internationally competitive start-up package, including
dedicated new laboratory space at MILES, will be tailored to the
appointee’s needs and experience to support their research and
ensure a strong foundation for their research endeavours.

How to Apply

The University only accepts online applications for these
positions. Applicants should apply online at the University’s
careers site ( https://jobs.hku.hk ) and upload the
following documents: (i) a cover letter, (ii) an up-to-date
curriculum vitae (including a full list of publications), (iii) a
teaching statement (maximum 2 pages), (iv) a research statement
(maximum 2 pages) outlining current and future research plans, and
(v) the contact information of at least three referees. Informal
inquiries can be sent to Ms. Mengdie Sun at mdsun@hku.hk . Review of applications
will start as soon as possible and continue until the positions are
filled. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an
interview.

The University is an equal opportunities employer
and

is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and
transparency

Advertised: Oct 16, 2026 (HK Time)

Applications close: Apr 15, 2027 (HK Time)