Applications are invited for appointment as Research Assistant Professor (RAP) in Anthropology at the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (Ref.: 532299), to commence as soon as possible, on a two-year fixed-term basis.
The appointee will join the Asian Religious Connections Research Cluster (ASIAR) led by Prof. David A. Palmer at the Institute. The Cluster responds to a growing scholarly consensus that the complexity of religious realities in Asia necessitates rethinking traditional Western-derived concepts of religion and their relationship to society. Historically, Asian religions have been interpreted either as fundamentally different from, or as local variants of, Western models, largely due to the West’s political and cultural dominance, which has shaped both the study and the lived experience of Asian religions. Despite valuable insights from area-specific studies, there remains a need for a trans-Asian conversation that compares diverse Asian contexts, explores inter-Asian religious networks, and builds scholarly collaborations across the region. By adopting an Asian perspective and leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position, this interdisciplinary cluster aims to advance theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of religion, moving beyond Eurocentric frameworks to consider the diversity, cross-fertilization, and resilience of religious traditions in Asia.
Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree with research experience in Anthropology; Global China; Belt and Road Initiative; Laos and Thailand; and Cultural Heritage. They should demonstrate both the ability to work across disciplines and leadership skills in managing a team, to drive forward new research initiatives. They should have a strong track record of high-quality research, relevant post-doctoral work experience or an excellent publication track record.
The appointee will work on projects of ASIAR at the Institute with ASIAR’s team of postdocs and research assistants. He/She will work under Prof. David A. Palmer’s direct supervision, and will be a senior team member in relation to the other members. He/She will develop the research agenda led by Prof. David A. Palmer on the socio-cultural and religious dimensions of the Belt and Road Initiative, take part or lead in preparing research grant proposals, and organize academic activities. There will be opportunities for participation in teaching programs. Inquiries about the post can be sent to ihsshrfi@hku.hk.
A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. The appointment will attract a contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme, totaling up to 15% of basic salary.
The University only accepts online applications for the above post. Applicants should apply online and upload (1) an up-to-date CV; (2) a research statement; and (3) at least one article (either a working paper, Ph.D. dissertation, or a published paper). Please state information of at least two referees on the online application form. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until Jun 15, 2025 or until the post is filled, whichever is earlier.
