UNU Macau

Visiting Research Fellowship Programme

Bridging the gap between Digital Emerging Technologies and Sustainable Development

The United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) invites applications for its Visiting Research Fellowship Programme. This program offers short-term, in-residence fellowships (1 to 3 months) for talented researchers and practitioners. Visiting Fellows will conduct policy-oriented research on Digital Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development (DET4SD), bridging the gap between technological innovation and the advanced decision-making tools needed by UN agencies and member states to achieve the SDGs.

This Visiting Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with the United Nations framework, contributing to the Institute’s collaborative research and directly advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

United Nations University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit

About the Institute

UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU Macau is dedicated to research, training, and education on digital technologies for sustainable development. It promotes evidence-based actions and policies to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 

UNU Macau is located in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, the only UN entity in the city. Situated within the Greater Bay Area, one of the most dynamic regions in the world, UNU Macau benefits from its proximity not only to mainland China and Hong Kong SAR but also to many other Asian countries, offering unique opportunities for researchers and experts to maximize research impact. For more information, visit .

Core Research Areas

The scope of the Visiting Fellowship covers the following core research areas:

  • Multi-agent systems: computational modeling of high-social-impact contexts.

  • Ethical human-AI collaboration: argumentative frameworks for decision-making to advance the SDGs.

  • Hybrid AI frameworks: combining LLMs, symbolic, and/or reinforcement learning for inclusive social and environmental governance.

  • Equitable learning: dialogic, technologically-assisted learning models tailored for the SDGs.

Research Outputs & Responsibilities

The Visiting Fellowship places a strong emphasis on tangible, impactful outputs. Visiting Fellows are expected to fully dedicate themselves to their proposed projects.

By the end of the fellowship period, each fellow will deliver:

1) A collaborative research output (academic article, technical demo or novel digital tool) aligned with UNU Macau’s mission to lead globally trusted, policy-oriented research on digital emerging technology for sustainable development.

2) A measurable application: A clear operationalization of the research output to help UN agencies or member states bridge the gap between emerging technologies and advanced decision-making tools.

3) Active Engagement: Visiting Fellows are integrated as active members of the institute. They are expected to participate in research team activities and contribute expertise to joint discussions. 

4) Physical Presence: Visiting Fellows must be fully onsite in Macau for the entire duration of the fellowship.

5) Policy Compliance: During their residency, Visiting Fellows must strictly adhere to UNU policies (including research ethics, IT usage, and health and safety protocols) as well as local regulations.

Competencies

Values:

  • Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity

  • Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards

  • Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others

  • Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

  • Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

  • Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

  • Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

  • Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

  • Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways


General Requirements:

  • Affiliation: Candidates are expected to be affiliated with an academic or research organization and intend to visit UNU Macau to establish an active collaboration.

  • Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

  • Values and Ethics: As a UN agency, Visiting Fellows are required to uphold the highest standards of research integrity and professional ethics, aligned with UN values.

Diversity and Inclusion:

We value diversity and welcome applications from all nationalities. We particularly encourage applications from women scholars, candidates from underrepresented regions or communities, and individuals from the Global South.

Application tracks:

Candidates may apply to one of the following two tracks:

  • Early-Career Track: Designed for advanced Ph.D. students, postdoctoral researchers, or junior academics and practitioners. Applicants should demonstrate an emerging track record of publications in high-impact journals, top-tier conferences, technical demos, or applied digital tools. This track offers emerging scholars and practitioners the opportunity to participate directly in UN-led projects. 

  • Senior Track: Designed for established researchers, faculty members, or experts holding a Ph.D. (or equivalent senior experience). Applicants must have a substantial record of research or applied digital technology projects that demonstrate a measurable, positive social impact. Senior Visiting Fellows will collaborate directly with lead researchers to bridge the gap between technology and the advanced decision-making tools needed by UN agencies and member states to achieve the SDGs.

 

Selection Criteria

Selection is competitive and merit based. Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. Strategic Alignment: The applicant’s track record and proposed deliverables must align with UNU Macau’s research mission, Visiting Fellowship scope, and ongoing projects with Member States and UN agencies.

2. Operational Feasibility: The proposed Visiting Fellowship outputs must offer a realistic pathway to bridge the gap between emerging digital technologies and the advanced decision-making tools required by UN agencies and Member States to achieve the SDGs.

3. Innovation and Novelty: The proposal should introduce novel, untapped approaches to digital emerging technologies for sustainable development (DET4SD) that address critical gaps currently overlooked by the tech community.

4. Quantifiable Positive Social Impact: The proposed deliverables must demonstrate a clear, quantifiable social impact through integration into existing or forthcoming projects or case studies with Member States or UN agencies.

Duration & Timeline

Duration: Visiting Fellowships last 1 to 3 months onsite in Macau SAR.

Timeline: The Visiting Fellowship window for 2026 is between 1 September and 18 December 2026.

Financial Support

UNU Macau provides financial support to offset travel and living costs incurred for this fellowship in Macau.

  • Stipend: A monthly stipend of USD$2,000 (Early-Career Track) or USD$3000 (Senior Track) to cover living expenses in Macau.

  • Travel:  Reimbursement of international travel costs (equivalent to one set of economy-class round-trip airfare reimbursable up to USD$1,000)

  • Housing subsidy: USD$2,000 per month during the fellowship for accommodation arrangement in Macau.

  • Visa: Reimbursement of visa fees of the visiting fellow for initial entry to Macau SAR, if applicable.

  • Workspace: Workspace at the UNU Macau’s office at Casa Silva Mendes.

This fellowship carries no entitlement to paid annual leave nor sick leave.

Contractual Arrangement

Applicants must maintain their affiliations at an academic or research organization during the residency.

The Visiting Fellow will be engaged under a Consultant Contract (CTC) with UNU. Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of CTC holders.

Expected start date

September 2026 onwards


How to Apply

Applications of this fellowship is available through UNU’s career page ().

You will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

  • Apply via the apply link;

  • Attach your Curriculum Vitae (CV):  including educational background, relevant professional experience, and a complete list of publications, technical demos, patents, or computational tools.

  • Attach a Primary Research Sample: One relevant academic article published, technical demo, or implemented digital tool. The applicant must be the first author or primary creator of this output.

  • Attach a Letter of Recommendation: Required only for Early-Career Track candidates. This letter must come from a supervisor or colleague who can directly attest to the applicant’s qualifications and potential.

  • Submit a Research Proposal (details below)

Research Proposal

Research Proposal (Maximum 1,000 words) is mandatory: A detailed outline of the proposed work and expected deliverables, addressing the following four pillars:

i) Strategic Alignment: Clear alignment with UNU Macau’s mission to lead trusted, policy-oriented research on DET4SD that supports evidence-based, equitable decision-making within the UN system and member states.

ii) Operational Feasibility: A description of how the project deliverables will bridge the gap between emerging digital technologies and advanced decision-making tools to achieve the SDGs.

iii) Innovation and Novelty: An explanation of how the project introduces untapped approaches to DET4SD that address critical gaps currently overlooked by the broader technology community.

iv) Measurable Social Impact: A plan for how the deliverables of the visiting fellowship will translate into quantifiable, positive social impact for UN agencies and member states.

Application Deadline

24 July, 2026

Submissions must be received by 11:59pm, Macau time zone GMT +8; late entries will not be accepted.

** Application page (submission) no longer operational beyond application deadline.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status, nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. If you have supervisory function, you need to have awareness on gender related issues.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

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