Work type: Full-time
Department: Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science (25900)
Categories: Professoriate Staff

Applications are invited for appointment as Tenure-track Associate Professor/Assistant Professor in Quantitative Analysis in Environmental Sciences in the Faculty of Science (Ref.: 495673), to commence as soon as possible, on a three-year fixed-term basis, with the possibility of renewal and consideration for tenure before the expiry of a second three-year fixed-term contract.  Direct tenure may be offered to outstanding candidates for Associate Professor position.  The appointee will be hosted in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science and co-hosted in the School of Biological Sciences or the Department of Earth Sciences.

The Faculty of Science provides a supportive and friendly environment and is embarking on a programme of recruitment to invest in areas of acknowledged strength and internationally competitive activity.  Information about the Faculty can be obtained at https://www.scifac.hku.hk/.  

Applicants should possess a Ph.D. degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Atmospheric/Earth/Environmental Sciences, or related disciplines.  They should be able to demonstrate excellence in research in the development and application of quantitative statistical techniques for analysing big data in the environmental sciences.  Research foci could include detection and attribution of climate change, earth observation, environmental monitoring, ecological statistics, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction, among others.  We particularly welcome applicants with expertise in time series analysis, spatial statistics, predictive modelling, biometry, artificial intelligence, and the application of cloud computing.  The appointee will collaborate with researchers in the Faculty of Science, which includes biologists, earth scientists, climate scientists and marine scientists.  Hong Kong currently offers a range of attractive funding opportunities to support innovative research.  Enquiries about the post should be sent to the Head of Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at gyin@hku.hk.

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.  A start-up package that is commensurate with the needs and experience of the appointee will be provided.  Housing benefits will also be provided as applicable.

The University only accepts online application for the above post.  Applicants should apply online at the University’s careers site (https://jobs.hku.hk) and upload a cover letter, together with an up-to-date C.V., which should include hyperlinks to google scholar profiles and ORCID, a detailed publication list since 2014 with journal impact factor and citations indicated for each publication, and a research proposal.  Applicants will also be required to arrange three reference letters under confidential cover.  It is important to note that at least one of the referees should be able to comment, amongst other things, on the applicant’s research ability and his/her contribution to teaching or research in his/her department, while the remaining two should have knowledge of his/her recent academic or employment experience.  Referees should submit their reference letters to https://web.science.hku.hk/job/495673_ref.html (the referee should input the applicant email address which is the same one as in the online application) by March 16, 2020.  Review of applications will commence from March 1, 2020, and acceptance of applications will continue until March 16, 2020.  Interviews for the positions are expected to be held during the period April 27 – May 8, 2020.

The University is committed to diversity and inclusivity. To promote gender diversity and  Science expressly encourages qualified persons from both genders to apply.