"Assistant Professor to Full Professor in Materials Innovation for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES)"

Job Details

Faculty Position Openings at All Levels: Assistant Professor to Full Professor in Materials Innovation for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) of HKU

Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a globally recognized institution renowned for excellence in research and education. HKU is a leading international university ranked 11th in the world by QS, and it offers a comprehensive range of programmes across ten Schools. 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 and multicultural campus.

Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES)

The Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) is a highly interdisciplinary research institute housed in both HKU and in Shenzhen with state-of-the-art labs at both locations (https://hkumiles.com/). MILES currently comprises 24 faculty members from the Faculties of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, fostering a collaborative environment at the interface of these disciplines. The Institute provides a unique platform for interdisciplinary research in chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, biomedical science, and energy innovation. MILES faculty benefit from the flexibility to recruit multiple Ph.D. students year-round, enabling rapid growth and advancement of their research teams.

The Positions

Applications are invited for faculty positions at all academic levels. For truly exceptional scholars with extraordinary standing, they can be considered for nominations to prestigious titles including Chair Professor and Endowed Professorship scheme. Appointees will have labs in both MILES-HKU campus and MILES-Shenzhen, with full HKU affiliation and association with Department of a cognate discipline.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of disciplines in the physical sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences that are relevant to chemistry, materials, nanoscience, energy and life sciences and artificial intelligence for science. Specific research areas include but not limited to:

1. Novel organic and inorganic molecular, polymeric or nanoscale materials with interesting properties and functions
2. Soft materials and biomaterials
3. Biophysics and biochemistry involving novel molecules and materials
4. Nanomedicine and bioengineering for new generations of medical imaging techniques, drugs and vaccines
5. Energy materials, catalytic materials, electrochemistry
6. Electrocatalysis, gas storage and conversions
7. Optoelectronic devices, solar cells and novel optical materials
8. Renewable energy solutions, novel batteries, carbon neutrality approaches
9. Computational chemistry, theoretical chemistry, machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics for chemistry, biology and materials science
10. Nanomedicine (broadly defined)

Qualifications

Applicants should possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline
• An internationally recognized record of research excellence and scholarly achievement
• A demonstrated ability to secure competitive research funding and to lead a high-impact research programme
• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring of students
• A collaborative, interdisciplinary mindset and proven academic leadership experience commensurate for senior faculty candidate

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 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 via the HKU 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. In addition to the online submission, applicants are encouraged to send the same set of application materials via email to kathrynk@hku.hk. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until the positions are filled.

The University of Hong Kong is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency.

Advertised: Oct 14, 2025 (HK Time)

Applications close: Jan 31, 2026 (HK Time)