Scientific Officer (Research Strategy & Proposal Development)

Applications are invited for appointment as Scientific Officer (Research Strategy & Proposal Development) in Research, Innovation, Strategic Partners and Entrepreneurship (RISE) (Ref.: 537486) (to commence as soon as possible, on a two-year fixed-term basis with contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme, totalling up to 15% of basic salary, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance).

Position Overview

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is seeking a highly qualified and strategic Scientific Officer to enhance the University’s research competitiveness. The appointee will work closely with leading academics across all disciplines, provide professional advice and support to professors in identifying suitable funding opportunities and collaboratively developing competitive grant proposals that effectively articulate their research vision.

Reporting to the Vice-President (Research) Office, the appointee will work under the intellectual leadership of the Principal Investigator (PI), while ensuring that the PI retains full academic ownership and final approval of all submissions. The primary objective of the position is to significantly increase the success rate of major grant applications to government, Chinese Mainland, and international funding agencies.

Key Responsibilities

I. Strategic Proposal Development & Technical Advisory

• Strategic Advisory: Provide intensive, one-on-one strategic support to Principal Investigators (PIs) and research teams. This includes advising on research design, methodological coherence and feasibility assessment for major funding schemes. Guide the development of concept notes and preliminary proposals into coherent, competitive application strategies aligned with funder priorities.
• Proposal Writing and Development: Write and develop proposals with PIs, working closely with academics to understand the technical nuances of their research. Draft, structure, and refine proposal content in close consultation with the PI, who retains intellectual leadership and final approval. Translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Lead the full-cycle drafting from concept notes to final submissions, manage revision cycles and deadlines, tailor content to funder priorities, and prepare pitch materials and post-submission responses.
• Multidisciplinary Coordination: Act as the central coordinator for large-scale, multidisciplinary grant applications involving multiple faculties, institutions or partners (local, Chinese Mainland, and international), writing and developing proposals for final submission. Engage collaborators, harmonize contributions across teams, manage timelines and milestones, bridge disciplinary differences, and coordinate final compilation, formatting, and compliance checks of the submission packages.

II. Strategic Intelligence & Stakeholder Engagement

• Funding Intelligence: Proactively monitor and analyze emerging trends in research policy and funding landscapes in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and internationally. Provide timely intelligence to the Vice-President (Research) and faculties to inform institutional strategy.
• Strategic Partnerships: Facilitate cross-faculty collaborations and strategic partnerships by matching emerging funding opportunities with institutional strengths.
• Compliance & Integrity: Promote a positive research culture that upholds integrity and compliance with all relevant university and funder policies; and ensure that all proposal content accurately reflects the PI’s research and adheres to established authorship, ethical, and institutional standards.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant postdoctoral or professional experience in research proposal development and grant acquisition, preferably gained within a university or major research organization, with a demonstrated track record of securing competitive research grants. Experience serving on government grant review panels is an added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of major research funding landscapes, application requirements, and evaluation criteria.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, persuasive narratives.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work across multiple disciplines and funding schemes.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in both English and Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua preferred); together with strong leadership, interpersonal, and diplomatic skills, with a collaborative and inclusive approach.
• A proactive, self-motivated, and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to work independently and drive initiatives forward; demonstrated experience in producing high-quality written deliverables.

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits.

The University only accepts online applications for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V. Review of applications will commence on October 19, 2026 and continue until November 30, 2026, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.