The Department of Sociology was founded in 1967 as the first sociology department in Hong Kong. It is based within the Faculty of Social Sciences and encompasses sociology, demography, criminology, and anthropology, fostering an interdisciplinary approach to the study of social issues anywhere in the world. The Department has strong traditions in qualitative research, particularly ethnographic and participatory methods, and has expanded its expertise in quantitative research, social statistics and demography. Building on this strength, the Research Hub of Population Studies was established in 2024 to foster demographic research at HKU and to promote interdisciplinary collaboration in population studies. The 2026 QS World University Ranking rated the Department the 24th among the world’s top 200 universities in the subject of sociology. The Department offers a range of innovative and engaging taught programmes, including undergraduate major/minor programmes in Sociology, Criminology, and Media & Cultural Studies. In addition to research postgraduate degrees, it also offers three taught postgraduate programmes in Sociology, Criminology, and Media, Culture and Creative Cities. Its faculty, research postgraduate students and post-doctoral fellows, are actively engaged in cutting-edge research and excel in producing excellent scholarly research in the social sciences. The Department is also home to the HKU Anthropology Research Network. Information about the Department can be obtained at https://sociology.hku.hk
Applicants should possess a Ph.D. degree in Sociology, Demography, and demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and research. Successful applicants are expected to have an established record of original, rigorous, and impactful scholarship, publications in high-quality international journals, and the ability to teach core undergraduate and postgraduate courses within the Department's curriculum. The Department is particularly interested in applicants with research expertise in areas such as Family Demography; Low Fertility Societies; Family and Life-course Dynamics. Expertise in integrating digital methods with theory-driven and empirically grounded work in these areas would be an advantage.
The appointee will be expected to teach undergraduate and postgraduate levels programmes, supervise students at graduate and undergraduate levels, conduct and publish high-quality research work, and assume high-level service/administrative responsibilities.
A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. At the current rates, salaries tax does not exceed 15% of gross income. The appointment will attract a contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme, totaling up to 15% of the basic salary. Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.
The University only accepts online application for the above posts. Applicants should apply online at the University’s careers site ( https://jobs.hku.hk) and upload (1) a cover letter, (2) an up-to-date CV with the contact information of three referees, (3) graduate transcripts and certificates, (4) one sample of a representative research output, (5) a research plan of not more than 2 pages, (6) a teaching statement of not more than 2 pages and teaching evaluations, and (7) outlines of two proposed undergraduate courses. Review of applications will start as soon as possible and continue until November 30, 2026, or until the posts are filled, whichever is earlier.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and
is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency
