Department of Food Science and Nutrition
Research Assistant / Part-time Research Assistant
(Ref. 260324008)
(1) Research Assistant
[Appointment period: six months initially, with possibility of further appointment]
(2) Part-time Research Assistant (one to two posts)
[Appointment period: each for six months initially, with possibility of further appointment]
Duties
The appointees will assist the project leader in the research project – “Interactions between environmental toxic and nutrient metal elements on glucose tolerance and progression to diabetes in individuals with prediabetes”. In this project, the research team aims to: (1) investigate the interactive associations of environmental toxic and nutrient metals with progression to diabetes in high-risk individuals; and (2) determine the optimal levels of nutrient metals in mitigating the impacts of toxic metals on glucose tolerance, if any. These results will provide the premise to design a simple, safe, and highly-affordable nutritional intervention for diabetes prevention with personal and public health significance. The appointees will be required to:
(a) conduct chemical analysis of biological samples, specifically analysing metal concentrations in serum and urine samples;
(b) operate Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrumentation;
(c) assist in data collection, processing and preliminary reporting of results; and
(d) perform any other duties as assigned by the project leader, the Head of Unit or their delegates.
Qualifications
Applicants should:
(a) have an honours degree in Biology, Chemistry or a related discipline, or an equivalent qualification, preferably with at least one year of research and/or relevant work experience;
(b) have a good command of both written and spoken English and Chinese;
(c) have good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills;
(d) have a strong sense of responsibility; and
(e) be self-motivated and able to work independently.
Applicants are invited to contact Prof. Lo Ka Hei Kenneth at telephone number 3400 8778 or via email at kenneth.kh.lo@polyu.edu.hk for further information.
Conditions of Service
For full-time appointment, a highly competitive remuneration package will be offered.
For part-time appointment(s), the remuneration rate is HK$125 per hour.
Consideration of applications will commence on 31 March 2026 until the positions are filled.
Posting date: 24 March 2026