Research Assistant Professor in Language and Professional Communication

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY  

With over 85 years of rich heritage, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has evolved alongside society and made pivotal contributions to the development of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The University pursues world-class excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer to nurture socially responsible leaders and professionals, as well as to drive impactful research and innovation. PolyU will strive to continually excel as an innovative world-class university that makes a positive impact on society, living up to the Universitys motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.

Ranked among the top 100 universities globally by well-known ranking organisations such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE) and U.S. News & World Report, PolyU offers a wide range of world-class educational and research programmes in seven faculties and three independent schools. PolyU has furthermore achieved commendable results in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 - it is ranked in the global top 30 for seven subjects, is first in Hong Kong for three subjects, and is in the global top 100 for 26 subjects. For further details about the University, please visit PolyUs website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION

Research Assistant Professor in Language and Professional Communication, specializing in Computing and Generative AI, as applied to professional workplaces such as healthcare; business and finance; media; or other industries (Ref. 250704003)

The Department of English and Communication within the Faculty of Humanities has a long history of conducting cutting-edge research in language and communication and producing high quality graduates for the professional workplace. With a team of around 27 full-time academic staff, our focus areas are professional communication and applied language studies, and we provide teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.  More information can be obtained through the departmental homepage at http://www.engl.polyu.edu.hk/, including information about our key areas of research at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/engl/research/research-overview/.

The Department is now inviting applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor. Priority will be given to applicants with a demonstrated record of research in Computing, Programming, or Natural Language Processing (NLP) as applied to English language studies and the broader domain of educational technology and professional communication. Expertise in Generative AI (GenAI) tool or app development and user experience research is required.

Duties  

The appointee will be required to:

(a) conduct research as the main duty and actively pursue external research grants, such as General Research Fund, as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator;  

(b) develop GenAI tools/apps for various target academic domains and industry partnerships;  

(c) provide quality teaching at undergraduate or postgraduate level;  

(d) contribute to departmental service; and  

(e) perform any other duties as assigned by the Head of Department or his/her delegates.  

Qualifications  

Applicants should:

(a) have a PhD degree in Computing, Computer Science, Applied Linguistics and NLP, Educational Technology, or a related discipline;  

(b) preferably have at least two years of postdoctoral research experience;  

(c) have existing GenAI tool(s) or app(s) developed by the applicant that could be demonstrated to search committee members during the application process. The AI-assisted tool(s) should be aligned with research areas in the department and especially refocused for Hong Kong contexts and settings;  

(d) be able to demonstrate effective classroom teaching skills; and  

(e) be highly proficient in written and spoken English.  

Conditions of Service

A highly competitive package including a medical benefits plan and a gratuity payable upon completion of the term which is normally for two to three years initially, with possibility of extension.

Application

Please submit an application through PolyUs career website (https://jobs.polyu.edu.hk/rap). Consideration of applications will commence on 4 August 2025 until the position is filled. The Universitys Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/careers/pics_for_recruitment/.

PolyU is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces diversity and demonstrates inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and experiences where all members of the University are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. To learn more about the Universitys “Statement on Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion”, please visit our website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/equal_opportunities_diversity_and_inclusion/.

Information :

• Company : Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Position : Research Assistant Professor in Language and Professional Communication
• Location : Hong Kong
• Country : HK