Research Assistant I/II in the Department of Real Estate and Construction (Ref.: 532914) (to commence as soon as possible for six months to one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability)
Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree and/or Master’s degree. The appointees will assist in the “Designing ‘green nudges’ to boost construction waste management onsite: A metaverse serious game-based experimental approach with machine learning” research project under the General Research Fund (GRF). This project will develop green nudges within a virtual metaverse environment. Through experiments, behavioral and biological data will be collected and analysed using machine learning to optimise construction waste management strategies.
The appointees will
(1) Assist in the development of a serious game based on the metaverse, including the design of virtual construction site environments and green nudge measures using 3D engines and generative artificial intelligence technology;
(2) Participate in the collection and processing of experimental data;
(3) Assist in literature review, data analysis, and research report writing; and
(4) Participate in project-related conferences, seminars, and results presentations.
We are looking for candidates with:
1. academic backgrounds in Construction and Engineering Management, Computer Science, Behavioral Economics, Psychology, or other related subjects;
2. strong interest in research related to green nudge and serious game;
3. skills in metaverse development software such as Unity and common development languages such as C# and Javascript;
4. skills in data analytics tools using programming languages such as R, Python, and Stata; and
5. good communication and writing skills in English.
What we offer
The appointees will gain excellent platform development, data analytics, and academic writing experience from this post. The appointment will commence as soon as possible on a temporary basis for six months to one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered. Other benefits include annual leave, medical benefits, and free access to on-campus gyms and libraries.
How to apply:
The University only accepts online applications for the above posts. Applicants should apply online and upload an up-to-date CV, one representative writing sample (paper, dissertation, coursework), and a 100-word introduction of their current status and future plan. Inquiries about the post should be sent to Dr Ziyu Peng via zypeng@hku.hk. Please format the email subject line as: "Application for GRF Research Assistant - [Your Name] - [University] - [Major]".
Review of applications will commence as soon as possible and continue until September 14, 2025, or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.
More about iLab:
Our research team is based in the Faculty of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong. Successful applicants will join the iLab laboratory. The core team of iLab includes one Academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, two Chair Professors, one Associate Professor, two Research Assistant Professors, and over 50 Post-doctoral researchers and PhD students. It is a team dedicated to transforming the construction industry through interdisciplinary collaboration. For more details about iLab, please visit: https://www.arch.hku.hk/researchcentre/ilab/.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and
is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency
