Assistant Professor of AI in Social Contexts of Education

The University

Founded in 1911, the University of Hong Kong has attained its pre-eminence as a research-led comprehensive university through upholding the highest international standards of excellence in its research pursuits, scholarship, teaching and learning, and service to the community. The University is consistently ranked amongst the world’s top universities: 11th in QS World University Rankings 2027, 1st in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 33rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.  In recent years, the University was ranked multiple times as the most international University in the world.

Home to ten disciplinary Faculties (Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Sciences), the University is committed to fostering interdisciplinary exchange with an outlook for transformative breakthroughs, innovations, and global impact. There are 42,330 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 97 countries, and more than 9,600 academic, academic-related, and administrative staff. The University has embarked on a number of ambitious infrastructure and facilities projects required for future expansion in the Northern Metropolis, Beijing, Shanghai and Europe.

The Faculty of Education

HKU has been involved in teacher education since 1917, and the Faculty of Education was established in 1984.  The Faculty of Education is forward-looking and world leading, ranking 5th globally in Education (QS 2026).  It has assumed an important role in educational research and professional training as a major provider of teacher education programmes and has contributed significantly to education policy and development in Hong Kong with its strong expertise in policy analysis and curriculum development.  The Faculty is also the first in Hong Kong to offer degree programmes that train speech therapists and audiologists for the local community.  More information about the Faculty can be found at https://web.edu.hku.hk/.

The School of Computing and Data Science

The School of Computing and Data Science (CDS) strives to advance education and research across the fields of computing and data science, artificial intelligence, statistical decision sciences, fintech, and actuarial science.  It aims to take an integrated approach to reform these academic disciplines and foster multidisciplinary research collaboration within the University and beyond. CDS is ranked 18^th globally in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, 27^th in Computer Science and Information Systems, and 32^nd in Statistics and Operational Research in the QS World University Subject Rankings.  For more information about the School, please visit here.

The Position

We now invite applications for a joint appointment as Assistant Professor in AI + Social Contexts of Education.  The appointee will have a tenure home in the Faculty of Education, and will be co-hosted by the School of Computing and Data Science.

Duties and Responsibilities

The appointee will teach courses offered in undergraduate and/or postgraduate programmes, supervise research postgraduate students, contribute actively to research and knowledge exchange, and assume service/administrative responsibilities as appropriate. The appointee will also be a member of the HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science (HKU-IDS) under this joint appointment.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should possess (i) a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree in a field related to the social contexts of education, including sociology of education, educational policy and administration, philosophy of education, economics of education, lifelong education, or comparative and international education; (ii) tertiary teaching experience in related areas; (iii) a proven track record in, or strong potential for, research, scholarly publications, and competitive external funding; and (iv) ability or potential to demonstrate academic leadership.  Applicants should have an established research programme on the societal and institutional implications of AI for education, rather than on AI applications for teaching and learning; and should demonstrate a vision for research collaboration both within the Social Contexts of Education area and across the School of Computing and Data Science.  Knowledge of the local and regional context would be an advantage. 

What We Offer

The appointment will be made on a fixed-term full-time contract for 3 years initially, to commence on January 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter, with the possibility of renewal and consideration for tenure before the expiry of the second three-year fixed-term contract.

A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, together with contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme at 15% of basic salary. Other benefits include annual leave and professional leave, medical benefits, and free access to on-campus gyms and libraries. Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.

How to Apply

The University only accepts online application for the above post.  Applicants should apply online at the University’s careers site (click Apply button above to access) and upload a cover letter indicating the earliest availability date, an up-to-date C.V. with the contact information of three referees, one sample of a representative research output, a research plan of not more than 2 pages, and a teaching statement of not more than 2 pages.  Review of applications will start on October 4, 2026 and continue until October 16, 2026, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier. 

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