Post-doctoral Fellow (HKU Stone Centre on Socio-Economic Inequality in Asia)

Applications are invited for appointment as Post-doctoral Fellow at the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Centre on Socio-Economic Inequality in Asia, jointly hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences and the HKU Business School. The appointment will commence as soon as possible on a one- to three-year temporary contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.

About the Centre The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Centre on Socio-Economic Inequality in Asia at the University of Hong Kong is dedicated to the comparative study of income and wealth inequality in Asia. As the first Stone Centre in Asia, it connects researchers across disciplines and geographies to understand the nature, causes, and consequences of inequality, and to compare Asian experiences with those of North America and Europe.

The Centre emphasises rigorous measurement, causal analysis, and clear communication of research findings. It is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Economics Department at HKU Business School, co-directed by Professor Tarani Chandola, Professor Uta Schönberg, and Professor Ming Wen. The Applicant We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a PhD degree in economics or a related discipline, specialising in labour economics, trade, development, or political economy.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience working with large-scale datasets, including unstructured data such as LinkedIn data or job advertisements, as well as expertise in web crawling, large language models, and text analysis techniques. A strong understanding of causal inference methods is essential for developing rigorous research insights.

Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required; proficiency in written and spoken Chinese is advantageous but not essential. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team is crucial. Key duties include conducting quantitative and qualitative data analyses, preparing manuscripts for publication in high-impact academic journals, and presenting research findings at research institutions and conferences.

Fellows will be paired with a mentor from the Centre's leadership team for guidance and support. In addition, they will assist team leaders with project management tasks and contribute to the Centre's strategic planning and daily activities to ensure smooth operations. A competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, along with annual leave and medical benefits.

Review of applications will begin as soon as possible and continue until January 15, 2027, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier. Inquiries about the post should be sent to stonecentre@hku.hk . The University is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency