UNU Is Hiring: Researcher in Digital Technology and Sustainability – Apply by July 20!

The United Nations University (UNU) is recruiting a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow in Digital Technology and Sustainability to join its UNU Institute in Macau, where digital innovation meets sustainable development. This role offers an opportunity to engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research that supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

📋 Key Responsibilities

🔍 Research & Knowledge Mobilization

• Conduct research on digital technologies and their impact on sustainable development.

• Translate findings into policy briefs, actionable tools, and public knowledge products.

• Present at conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

📚 Capacity Building & Training

• Design and deliver training workshops on digital tech and sustainability.

• Support curriculum development for university-level or professional courses.

🧭 Project & Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate timelines, outputs, and deliverables across research projects.

• Engage with stakeholders, collaborators, and partners from public/private sectors.

• Assist in fundraising and grant applications.

UNU Is Hiring: Researcher in Digital Technology and Sustainability

🎓 Required Qualifications

📘 Education:

• PhD (or submitted for examination) in one of the following:

  • Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology)

  • Applied Statistics

  • Development or Cultural Studies

  • Human Geography

  • Or related fields

🛠 Experience:

• Strong background in digital development research.

• Proficiency in tools such as R, SPSS, STATA, NVivo, MAXQDA, or Mplus.

• Excellent publication or policy record.

• Demonstrated teamwork in international/multicultural environments.

Desirable:

• Experience in teaching, AI ethics, multistakeholder collaboration, or previous UN projects.

🏆 Benefits

• Monthly Salary: $3,000 – $3,291 USD

• Housing Subsidy: MOP $10,000/month for eligible international hires

• Paid Leave: 30 days per year

• Health Insurance

• Travel: Relocation travel covered

• Contract: 1-year renewable up to 6 years

📌 Important Notes

• Location: This is not a remote job. You must live and work in Macau full-time.

• Start Date: As soon as selected

• Language: Fluency in English required; other UN languages are a plus.

• Application Process:

  • Submit a UNU P11 Form

  • Motivation Statement (inside the P11)

  • Complete application via UNU portal: https://unu.edu

FAQs

Q1: Is this position open to non-Chinese nationals?
Yes. This is an international post, and UNU offers relocation support and housing subsidy for eligible international candidates.

Q2: Do I need to be a postdoc already?
You must have a completed PhD or have already submitted your dissertation for examination.

Q3: Is remote work allowed?
No. This is a full-time, on-site position in Macau.

Q4: What is a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA)?
It’s a UN contract that offers salary, health insurance, paid leave, and benefits — but not UN staff status or pension.

Q5: What’s the work culture like at UNU Macau?
UNU fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment with a mission-driven culture and strong policy impact.