Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science
Research Assistant Professor in Smart Cities and Urban Informatics (two posts)
(Ref. 260904022)
The Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (LSGS) (retitled from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics in July 2026) is a world-leading academic organisation for education and research in geomatics and related fields. The Department is dedicated to the acquisition, modelling, analysis and management of spatially referenced data for a wide range of applications in land surveying, geo-information technology and smart cities.
The Department offers a range of academic programmes for both local and overseas students, including the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics / Urban Informatics and Smart Cities, Master of Science in Geomatics / Urban Informatics and Smart Cities, and Doctor/Master of Philosophy.
LSGS has a strong research programme covering areas such as geographical information science, spatial big data analytics, satellite positioning, ubiquitous positioning, photogrammetry and remote sensing, geodesy and geodynamics, environmental monitoring, geo-hazards studies, intelligent transport systems, smart cities, geographical social science, utility system management and near-surface geophysical survey. LSGS has a number of well-equipped research and teaching laboratories. Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgs/ for more information about the Department.
The Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), established in 2020, serves as an interdisciplinary research platform that brings together expertise from different faculties and departments across PolyU to advance smart city research and innovation. Please visit the website at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/scri/ for more information about SCRI.
SCRI's main research areas include: Urban Informatics, GeoAI, Spatial Data Science, Mobile Mapping, Robotics and Autonomous Driving, and smart city applications in transportation, environment, living, economy, and governance. To strengthen these strategic research areas, we invite applications from highly motivated and suitably qualified individuals for appointment as Research Assistant Professor.
Duties
The appointees 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) provide quality teaching at undergraduate or postgraduate level;
(c) contribute to service of the research in above mentioned areas; and
(d) perform any other duties as assigned by the Head of Department, the Director of SCRI or his/her delegates.
Qualifications
Applicants should:
(a) have a PhD degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Urban Informatics, Geographic Information Science, Geomatics or a related discipline;
(b) possess at least two years of postdoctoral research experience by the date of appointment;
(c) demonstrate research excellence and strong publication potential in one or more of the following areas:
• Mobile mapping, robotics or autonomous driving;
• 3D reconstruction based on LiDAR or image data;
• AI or spatial data science;
• Urban informatics / smart city;
(d) demonstrate the potential to secure competitive external research funding;
(e) possess good communication and teaching skills; and
(f) 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.
Consideration of applications will commence on 16 October 2026 until the position is filled.
Posting date: 4 September 2026