Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism
Research Associate / Research Assistant
(Ref. 260128007)
[Appointment period: twelve months]
Duties
The appointee will assist the project leader in the research project - “The Hong Kong Polytechnic University – Yunji Technology Hotel Digital Intelligence Joint Innovation Lab”. He/She will be required to:
(a) support the implementation of research activities, including project coordination, documentation and reporting;
(b) assist in developing research frameworks related to AI-driven organisational strategy and structure changes, hotel digital intelligence, smart service systems, AI-enabled experience design, and data-driven service optimisation;
(c) conduct literature reviews, data analysis, model testing, and contribute to academic publications and conference presentations;
(d) assist in drafting grant proposals incorporating AI or digital hospitality methodologies;
(e) provide teaching and curriculum support for digital hospitality, service innovation and/or hospitality strategic management courses as required;
(f) support industry engagement by preparing research briefs, assisting with partnership development, and facilitating knowledge transfer between the Lab and hospitality/tourism stakeholders; and
(g) contribute to seminars, workshops, and outreach activities related to AI, digitalisation, smart tourism and hospitality strategies research.
Qualifications
Applicants for the Research Associate post should have a master’s degree, preferably in Hospitality, Tourism, Service Innovation or a related discipline, with strong training in research design, analytical skills and hospitality management, and have at least three years of research/relevant work experience.
Applicants for the Research Assistant post should have an honours degree in one of the above-mentioned disciplines or an equivalent qualification.
Preference will be given to those with:
(a) demonstrated research competence in AI-driven service innovation, organisation strategies, large language model applications or data-enabled experience design;
(b) solid industry experience that supports the application of AI or digital research concepts to real hotel and tourism scenarios;
(c) experience in innovation-driven projects or entrepreneurial initiatives, particularly those involving AI, digital hospitality solutions, or user-centred service design, that contribute to applied research and prototype evaluation;
(d) proven ability to conduct empirical studies on organisational strategies, digital behaviour, intelligent service processes or AI-assisted decision-making;
(e) ability to work independently with strong academic rigour and project management discipline;
(f) experience in academic writing, with prior involvement in journal publications, conference papers or grant proposals;
(g) strong communication skills with proficiency in both written and spoken English and Chinese;
(h) effective communication and coordination skills for academic and industry-facing collaboration;
(i) demonstrated interest in emerging technologies, AI research and hospitality digital transformation; and
(j) commitment to producing high-quality research outputs aligned with the Lab’s strategic direction.
Applicants are invited to contact Prof. Xiao Qu at telephone number 3400 2266 or via email at qu.xiao@polyu.edu.hk for further information.
Conditions of Service
A highly competitive remuneration package will be offered.
Consideration of applications will commence on 4 February 2026 until the position is filled.
Posting date: 28 January 2026