Assistant Research Officer in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJCGHI) of the School of Public Health (Ref. 532845), to commence as soon as possible on a one-year temporary or two-year fixed-term basis, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.
HKU has partnered with IVI and The University of Cambridge to establish the HKJCGHI, funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. IVI is a non-profit international organization dedicated to vaccines and vaccination for global health. The EPIC Unit of IVI coordinates the epidemiology, pandemic preparedness and capacity building work streams of the HKJCGHI. These areas of work are in sync with HKJCGHI activities of the EPIC Unit in Seoul.
Applicants should possess a Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, or a related field. A PhD degree in a relevant discipline is desirable but not required. Applicants should have 1–3 years of experience in epidemiological research, particularly in the fields of infectious diseases, vaccines, pandemic preparedness or antimicrobial resistance.
Applicants should demonstrate strong quantitative skills, including experience with statistical software such as R, SAS, or Stata, and the ability to manage and analyze large epidemiological datasets. Familiarity with the design and implementation of epidemiological studies is highly desirable. They should have excellent written and spoken English skills. Preference will be given to candidates with prior work experience in global health, international organizations, or low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings.
The appointee will contribute to research activities on epidemiology and pandemic preparedness under the HKJCGHI, reporting to the HKJCGHI Epidemiology, Public Health and Impact (EPIC) Program Director in Hong Kong. He/she will work closely with various departments in the EPIC Unit at International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Headquarters in Seoul. Key responsibilities include contributing to designing, implementing and monitoring epidemiological studies related to infectious disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness; managing and analyzing related data to support research objectives; assisting in the development of research protocols, data collection tools, and ethical approvals for studies; contributing to the preparation of research reports, manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, and presentations for scientific meetings; collaborating with internal and relevant external stakeholders; and supporting capacity-building activities and knowledge translation efforts in LMICs. Additionally, the appointee may be required to support the organization of meetings and to facilitate procurement related to laboratory diagnostics. The appointee is expected to undertake regular international travel to field sites in Africa and Asia to monitor project implementation progress.
A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. Appointees on fixed terms will also receive a contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme totaling up to 10% of basic salary.
The University only accepts online application for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date C.V. Review of applications will start on August 18, 2025, and continue until September 16, 2025, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.