VinUniversity Assistant Professorships (VAP)

ABOUT VINUNIVERSITY

VinUniversity (VinUni) is the first private, not-for-profit Vietnamese university established based on international standards. The university integrates the models of excellent international universities with the unique cultural and economic characteristics of Vietnam, to make a breakthrough in Vietnamese higher education and to become a world-class university.

The University has built strategic collaborations with Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania — a choice that speaks to our commitment to excellence, innovation in research and teaching, and to making a difference in the world. VinUni comprises of College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Management; College of Engineering and Computer Science; and College of Health Sciences.

VinUni’s founding benefactor – Vingroup is one of the biggest private conglomerates in Asia with the largest market capitalization value in Vietnam. As a multisector corporation, Vingroup focuses on five main areas: Industrials & Technology; Real Estate & Services; Infrastructure; Green Energy; and Social Enterprises.

In September 2024, VinUni became the youngest and fastest university in the world to achieve QS 5 stars, earning 5 stars in 9 categories: global engagement, good governance, program strength, academic development, teaching, employability, facilities, arts, and social impact. In October 2024, VinUni was appointed by UNESCO as the first and only UNESCO University Chair, focusing on Environmental Leadership, Cultural Heritage, and Biodiversity.

On our journey to become one of the world’s top 100 universities, VinUni is building a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and discovery. Through strategic investments in world-class research centers, state-of-the-art facilities, and transformative technologies, the university empowers collaboration across disciplines, strengthens partnerships with industry and society, and nurtures a thriving global network, who spearheads advancements in AI & Machine Learning, Data Science, Environmental Intelligence, Innovation in Health Sciences, Policy Development and Sustainable Societies.

Overview

The VinUniversity Assistant Professorships (VAP) is a prestigious early-career award established to attract outstanding young researchers and scholars from around the world to join VinUniversity. The program aims to nurture a new generation of leading academics whose work will drive high-impact research and strengthen VinUniversity’s position as a world-class university.

All candidates undergo a rigorous selection process evaluated by an international panel of distinguished scholars.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from early-career researchers who demonstrate exceptional academic potential, creativity, and leadership. Candidates should:

• Hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent, obtained in or after 2019.
• Have a strong track record of research excellence, demonstrated by high-impact publications, awards, or recognition in their field.
• Be able to lead independent and collaborative research of international significance.
• Commit to a full-time faculty appointment at VinUniversity.
• Clinician scientists engaged in translational or clinical research are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Eligibility extends to both new external applicants and VinUni faculty (not holding the rank of Full Professor) who have joined within the last 12 months. Existing VinUni faculty are limited to a single application attempt.

What We Offer

Successful VAP awardees will receive a competitive package to establish their research program at VinUniversity, including:

• Attractive remuneration and faculty appointment, with the potential for long-term contracts and leadership roles.
• Start-up Research Grant:
  STEM Experimental fields – up to USD 1,000,000
  Other fields –up to USD 500,000
• Up to Two (02) PhD full scholarships worth 200,000 USD each.
• Dedicated laboratory and office space and access to advanced research infrastructure.
• Comprehensive institutional support for grant applications, research administration, and laboratory setup.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents as part of the online application. It is strongly recommended that all documents are prepared in advance, as incomplete applications will not be considered:

• Cover Letter – A statement introducing yourself as a researcher and outlining your vision for contributing to VinUniversity.
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Including a complete list of academic publications with citation details and impact factors. Please highlight your three most significant publications.
• Research Statement – A concise summary of your research accomplishments, current work, and the future direction and potential impact of your research.
• Research Project Proposal – A detailed proposal of your planned research project, not exceeding five (5) A4 pages.
• Referee Contacts – Contact information for three external referees who can provide an informed assessment of your achievements and potential.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Please note that only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.