"Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in Materials Innovation for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) (Ref.: 531998)"

Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in Materials Innovation for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) (Ref.: 531998)

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 17th in the world by QS in 2025, 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 Materials Innovation Institute for Life Sciences and Energy (MILES) is a highly interdisciplinary research institute at HKU, housed in a state-of-the-art ~12,000 m² facility with cutting-edge laboratories and office spaces. MILES brings together around 20 faculty members 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 Ph.D. students 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 based in MILES and jointly appointed with a relevant academic unit at HKU (for example, the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, or 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:

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, and 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 (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 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 Dr. T.L. Lee at tllee315@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