Professor/Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in Urban Governance and Design

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) - Urban Governance and Design (UGOD) Thrust 

About HKUST(GZ)

Formally established in June 2022, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) is a cooperatively-run university between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. With a spirit of pioneering innovation, HKUST(GZ) charts new territories in cross-disciplinary education and explores new frontiers in pedagogies, aiming to serve as a role model of the mainland-Hong Kong integrated educational development and become a world-famous high-level university, endeavoring to nurture future-oriented, high-level and innovative talents. 

HKUST(GZ) is located at No.1 Duxue Road, Qingsheng Hub Cluster, Nansha District, Guangzhou. The campus covers an area of about 1,669 mu (111.3 hectares) and is divided into two construction phases. The first phase covers an area of about 716 mu (47.7 hectares) with a floorage of about 636,000 square meters (63.6 hectares), which has been officially put into use in September 2022. 

In response to the increasingly complex challenges faced by the rapidly changing world, HKUST(GZ) adopts a brand-new and cross-disciplinary academic structure featuring “Hub” and “Thrust” to substitute the conventional one characterized by “school” and “department”, facilitating cross-disciplinary integration while vigorously developing emerging and frontier disciplines. This is a groundbreaking move in the higher education community across the globe. HKUST(GZ) comprises four Hubs, namely Function Hub, Information Hub, Systems Hub, Society Hub and 16 thrusts. At steady state, the HKUST(GZ) community will consist of 800 faculty members, 4000 undergraduates and 6000 postgraduates. 

Our academic staff are drawn from the world’s finest institutions. Here English is the medium of instruction and undergraduate programs are carefully articulated with postgraduate studies.

For more information on HKUST(GZ), you may visit the university website (hkust-gz.edu.cn).

About Urban Governance and Design (UGOD) Thrust

The Urban Governance and Design (UGOD) Thrust in the Society Hub aims to conduct cutting-edging research and disseminate knowledge to assist in the economic and social development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond. In 2025, the UGOD Thrust expects to have an Urban AI minor for undergraduate students. For more information about the Society Hub, please visit Society Hub – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (hkust-gz.edu.cn). UGOD Thrust invites applications for either tenure-track or tenured faculty position at any rank (Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor) depending on applicant’s qualification and experience and welcomes applicants with research focus in the following areas, including but not limited to:

• AI and design, particularly in the context of urban governance and smart cities, contributing to the development and implementation of AI-driven design solutions such text-to-design, picture-to-design, video-to-design.
• Economics with Specialization in AI and Machine Learning.
• AI and Society, advancing the use of AI technologies including generative AI and large language models (LLMs) in diverse social settings and populations, contributing to the development and implementation of AI-driven solutions that understand human behaviors, address urban challenges, enhance city management, and improve the quality of urban life.
• AI for Urban Planning, advancing the application of AI in urban studies, particularly in urban planning and design, developing and implementing innovative AI-based analytical methods to address research challenges in urban planning and governance. A strong background both in urban planning and AI and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is highly preferred.
• GeoAI, advancing the integration of AI and geospatial technologies, particularly in the context of urban governance and smart city development, contributing to the development and implementation of GeoAI-driven solutions that address urban challenges, enhance city management, and improve the quality of urban life.
• AI for Urban Governance and Design, contributing to the development and implementation of AI-driven solutions for urban governance and design. Expertise in urban street level-data acquisition, 3D modeling, Web3.0, Digital twin, and city street rendering is preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct high-impact research in related field.
• Lead or support the construction and development of the research team.
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in related subjects.
• Supervise and mentor students and research staff.
• Engage in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research projects within the university and beyond.
• Contribute to the academic community and participate in departmental and university service.

Qualification of Candidates

• A Ph.D. degree in fields related to UGOD Thrust, e.g. AI, Computer Science, Data Science, Information, Design, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Parametric Architecture, Economics, Law/Sociology/Ethics and GIScience (including GIS, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Geomatics, etc.)
• A strong record of research and publications in reputable journals.
• Experience in teaching and curriculum development at the university level.
• Demonstrated ability to secure research funding from both government and industry sources .
• Commitment to interdisciplinary research and education.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and expertise of AI applications in related fields.
• Proven track record of industry collaboration and technology transfer.
• Leadership experience in academic or research settings.
• Extensive experience in teaching and teaching research.  

As a highly internationalized campus, English is the medium of instruction and administration at HKUST(GZ). We offer a dynamic and collaborative academic environment within the culturally rich city of Guangzhou. Our faculty is highly diverse, joining us from world-leading institutes around the globe. 

Remuneration and Conditions of Service

• Highly competitive salary aligned with international standards, commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Generous research funds, ample laboratory space with excellent research equipment and support will be provided
• Many other funding opportunities in the Greater Bay area
• Great community of interdisciplinary, international staff & students
• Family-friendly campus with on-campus housing available
• Private health insurance for staff and eligible family members resides in the Chinese mainland 

The post is tenure-track appointment in Chinese Mainland and to be offered by the HKUST(GZ) in accordance with the local employment laws and regulations. Appointment to Professor rank and some Associate Professor rank will be made on substantive basis with tenure while initial appointment to other tenure-track faculty ranks will be made on a 6-year contract basis with a mid-term review.  

For more information about the posts, please click the 'Apply' button

Application Procedure

Please submit the application via the HKUST(GZ) Recruitment System (https://facrecruit.hkust-gz.edu.cn/). You should first sign up to create your personal account. 

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. We thank applicants for their interest. Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be notified of the result of the application.  

For questions regarding the recruitment system or general inquiry, please reach us at facultyhire@hkust-gz.edu.cn. For Hub/ Thrust specific questions, please address to Hub’s individual email: gzrecruitsoc@hkust-gz.edu.cn with subject title of “Application to job title, e.g. Application to Open-Rank Professor in AI for Urban Governance and Design ”. 

The university is committed to promoting diversity in recruitment and ensuring equal opportunity employment. We strongly encourage suitable candidates from diverse backgrounds to submit their applications.