Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering
Research Assistant Professor in Building Energy / Building Environment / Building Safety and Resilience (three posts)
(Ref. 260803002)
The Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering (BEEE) contributes to PolyU’s world ranking of 21st and 18th for Architecture and Built Environment as well as Civil and Structural Engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. BEEE is one of the constituent departments of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, and offers a full range of programmes leading to the awards of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy, Master of Engineering, Master of Science and Bachelor of Engineering. Currently there are over 35 research staff and 201 research students (187 studying for PhD), over 600 full-time / part-time Master’s students, an undergraduate student body of over 250 full-time students. BEEE currently has over 50 full-time academic / teaching staff members engaging in a wide range of research activities organised in the following three themes:
Building Energy: Energy issues in buildings addressed in the context of both demand and supply to promote sustainable built environments, urban energy systems and emerging clean energy technologies.
Building Environment: Optimisation of buildings and built environments for thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual / spatial and vibration / acoustic aspects to improve occupant health and productivity, and extraterrestrial human habitats.
Building Safety and Resilience: Protection of building occupants from hazards such as fire and lightning to improve safety and resilience of communities, buildings and the built environments.
The University and the Department strongly encourage a multi-cultural environment regarding both the staff and student body composition. Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/beee/ for further information about the Department.
The Department is seeking internationally excellent candidate with exceptional track record of research and scholarship in the theme of Building Energy / Building Environment / Building Safety and Resilience.
Duties
The appointees will be required to:
(a) conduct research in related areas and contribute to the development of the Department’s research strength;
(b) initiate, lead and participate in scholarly research in his/her area of expertise and be active in research leading to quality journal publications and in bidding for external research grants and applied research projects;
(c) undertake teaching duties;
(d) supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and theses;
(e) undertake relevant administrative duties; and
(f) perform any other duties as assigned by the Head of Unit or his/her delegates.
Qualifications
Applicants should:
(a) have a PhD degree in an appropriate related discipline;
(b) preferably have at least two years of relevant postdoctoral research experience (as supported by evidence of research projects and outputs) with teaching experience in related disciplines and subjects being a definite advantage;
(c) have strong commitment to excellence in teaching and research;
(d) be able to demonstrate effective classroom teaching skills and have good interpersonal skills;
(e) have an excellent command of English;
(f) have an excellent record of research and scholarship commensurate with their experience; and
(g) demonstrate good potential in bidding for research grants as well as in establishing significant externally funded research programmes.
The applicants should demonstrate strong potential to be internationally prominent through a track record of excellent research in the area of Building Energy / Building Environment / Building Safety and Resilience. They should contribute to the development and delivery of degree programmes; should demonstrate the ability to teach in engineering design relevant to their technical specialisation; and should have been involved in major research projects.
Applicants should be able to conduct research and teach subjects related to Building Energy / Building Environment / Building Safety and Resilience.
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.
Consideration of applications will commence on 17 August 2026 until the positions are filled.
Posting date: 3 August 2026