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International Joint Supervision of PhD Students Scheme
Bidding for Provost’s Strategic Allocation of Centrally-funded RPg Places for 2026–27 Admission

(For CUHK Faculty Members)

Deadline: 1 December 2025, Monday

Internationalisation is a key priority in the University’s pursuit of research excellence. Research output from international collaboration tends to yield higher citation and greater impact. As part of CUHK’s internationalisation strategy underlined in the Strategic Plan (CUHK 2025), the University must enhance its global engagement to improve output, increase visibility, and demonstrate impact in order to stay competitive. This will in turn strengthen CUHK’s reputation and reinforce its position as a world-class university.

Joint supervision of PhD students is one of the most effective and efficient tools to drive and foster international research collaboration, in addition to bringing a highly valued learning opportunity to students. To encourage faculty members to engage in joint supervision of PhD students with their international peers, the University has allocated PhD places for competitive bidding under the Provost’s Strategic Allocation of Centrally-funded Research Postgraduate (RPg) places for 2026–27 admission. Under which, the PhD students would be required to undertake research attachments of at least six months with the host supervisors at the partner institutions to support the joint research between their CUHK supervisors and their collaborators abroad.

Partners & Strategic Areas for Collaboration

The current round of bidding supports collaborative research projects with priority partners primarily in the four strategic research areas identified in CUHK 2025, which are China: Tradition and Modernity; Innovative Biomedicine; Information and Automation Technology; and Environment and Sustainability. Projects which do not fall within the four areas may also be considered.

The priority partners for the current round of application include: 

  • Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  • Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
  • Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
  • National University of Singapore, Singapore
  • The University of Auckland, New Zealand
  • The University of Chicago, USA
  • The University of Manchester, UK
  • The University of Queensland, Australia
  • The University of Sydney, Australia
  • University College London, UK
  • University of California, Los Angeles, USA
  • University of California, San Diego, USA
  • University of Exeter, UK
  • University of Toronto, Canada
  • Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Strong applications to work with other top-tier institutions will also be considered. Ideally, the institutions should be ranked within the top 100 in major global university league tables. 

 

Programme Guidelines and Forms

Applicants can access the guidelines for applicants, application form and supervision report form from the following links:

 

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Olivia Kwok, Office of Academic Links, on 3943-1315 or at oliviakwok@cuhk.edu.hk.

 

Awardees

CUHK Faculty Member Collaborator Project Title
2025-26
Prof. Zhenguang CAI, Dept. of Linguistics & Modern Languages Prof. Martin PICKERING, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK LLM-assisted Language Learning: Integrating AI Technology and Teaching Pedagogy
Prof. Qiuqiang KONG, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Julian McAULEY, Computer Science, University of California, San Diego, US Spatial Audio Reconstruction and Rendering with Neural Networks-based Generative Models for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Prof. Guohua HU, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Leonard Wei Tat NG, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Implementing Stochastic Computing with Ferroelectric Two-Dimensional Material Memtransistors Towards Efficient Edge Computer Vision
Prof. Martin STOLTERFOHT, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Yi HOU,  Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore Mitigating Ion-induced Performance Degradation with Two-Dimensional Perovskites for Stable Organic/Perovskite Multi-Junction Cells
Prof. Wei REN, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Prof. Graham NATHAN,  Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Australia Zero-Carbon Combustion Technology for Heavey Industry and Power Generation
Prof. Jacque IP, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Markus HOFER,  School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Australia Defining the Role of Microglia in a Novel Mouse Model for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Prof. Ronald MA, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Prof. Angus JONES,  Nihr Exeter Biomedical Research Centre, University of Exeter, UK Multi-Omic Biomarkers for Diabetes Classification and Precision Medicine in Diabetes
Prof. Zirui Elvis DONG, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Prof. Lyn CHITTY, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK

 

Dr. Natalie CHANDLER, Rare & Inherited Disease Laboratory | NHS North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, UK

 Deciphering the Prevalence of Genomic Structural Variants in Fetuses and the Pathogenicity by Genome, Single-Cell Sequencing and a Cellular Model for Functional Validation
Prof. Jacqueline CHUNG, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Prof. Christian BECKER, Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, UK The Role of Apelin in Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Endometriosis
Prof. Hanna LU,  Dept. of Psychiatry Prof. James COLE, the Manifold Lab at UCL, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)/Department of Computer Science, University College London, UK Quantifying Uncertainty in Brain Age Prediction with Bayesian Neural Networks in Age-related Neurodegenerative Diseases
Prof. Jiang XIA,  Dept. of Chemistry Dr. Yu Heng LAU,  Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Australia Threats of Post-Pandemic Disinfectant Overuse to Urban Aquatic Environments
Prof. Yan ZHAN,  Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences Dr. James HICKEY,  Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, UK Integrating Machine Learning and Multiphysics Models to Understand Dynamics of Large Silicic Volcanic Systems for Forecasting Catastrophic Eruptions
Prof. Benoit THIBODEAU,  Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences Prof. Sean CROWE, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Canada Quantifying the Role of Biogeochemical Interaction between Macro- and Micronutrients on the Ecosystem Dynamic and Ecological Energetic of Mangroves
Prof. Alex CHOW,  Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences Prof. Robert RHEW, Department of Geography; Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, US Trace Chemicals Tracking and Ultra-Fine Metagenome Sequencing Techniques to Unveil the Occurrence, Immigration and Destination of Key Climate-Regulated Molecules in Blue Carbon Pool
Prof. Thomas CHUNG,  School of Architecture Prof. Edward DENISON, Architecture And Global Modernities, The Bartlett School of Architecture, Faculty of The Built Environment, University College London, UK

 

Prof. Guang Yu REN, The Bartlett School of Architecture, Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London, UK

 

Prof. Ying PAN,  Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, China

 Towards Urban-Rural Symbiosis: Multi-Faceted Study on Typology, Conservation and Development Strategies of Traditional Settlements in Hong Kong
Prof. Helene FUNG,  Dept. of Psychology Prof. Derek ISAACOWITZ, Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, Washington University St. Louis, US Tales Weaver: An AI-Enhanced System to Foster Social Connectedness
2024-25
Prof. Renjie ZHOU, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Tulio VALDEZ, School of Medicine/Head & Neck Surgery Dept., Stanford University Reflection-Mode Diffraction Tomography for Noninvasive & In Vivo Mapping of Nanoscale Topographic Features in Tissues
Prof. Zhong LI, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. David HUNTER, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney Clinical Data-informed Screening of Pain Medications Using an Osteoarthritis Pain Model Established in Joint-on-A-Chip SystemsClinical Data-informed Screening of Pain Medications Using an Osteoarthritis Pain Model Established in Joint-on-A-Chip Systems
Prof. Xiangyu YUE, Dept. of Information Engineering Prof. Yang YOU, Computer Science, National University of Singapore Personalized & Trustworthy Medical Diagnosis & Treatment Planning through Domain-Adaptive Multi-Modal Large Language Models
Prof. Shih-Chi CHEN, Dept. of Mechanical and Automation Engineering Prof. Yongxin (Leon) ZHAO, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University Super-Resolved Whole Organ Imaging via Magnify, Precision Microtome & Advanced Fluorescent Microscopy
Prof. Bo GAO, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Yingzi YANG, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University The Role of WNT/PCP Signaling in Somitogenesis & Congenital Scoliosis
Prof. Chi Chiu Ronald WANG, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Prof. Elly M. HOL, Dept. of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center (UMC), Utrecht University Unveiling Molecular Signatures & Distribution of Abnormal Neural Stem Cell Quiescence in Human Subventricular Zone of Fetal Brain by Advanced Single Cell & Spatial Transcriptomic Sequencing Technology
Prof. Yao WANG, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Prof. Elisabet STENER-VICTORIN, Reproductive Physiology, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute Targeting Taurine Supplementation as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Prof. Kin Fai HO, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Dr. Peter Ka Hung CHAN, Dept. of Population Health, University of Oxford Investigating Proteomic & Metabolomic Signatures in Response To Co-Exposure to Non-Optimal Temperature & Air Pollution
Prof. Amos TAI, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Stephen SITCH, Dept. of Geography, University of Exeter Effects of Climate Extreme Events & Air Pollution on forest Carbon Uptake in asia: Implications for Carbon Neutrality & Public Health Under Climate Change
Prof. Francis TAM, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Matthew COLLINS, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter Robust Projections of Future Monsoon Rainfall Variability By Next-Generation Earth System Models
Prof. Tat-Shing CHOW, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Myrna SIMPSON, Environmental NMR Centre, Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto

 

Prof. Satish MYNENI, Dept. of Geosciences, Princeton University

 Threats of Post-Pandemic Disinfectant Overuse to Urban Aquatic Environments
Prof. Michael PITTMAN, School of Life Sciences Dr. Michael HABIB, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles How Do Animals Evolve Flight? Anatomy & Flight Stroke Mechanics Underpinning Multiple Flight Origins among Early Birds & Their Close Relatives
Prof. Silin ZHONG, School of Life Sciences Prof. Julian HIBBERD, Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge Comparing the Regulomes of C4 & C3 Plants to investigate the Evolution of C4 Photosynthesis
Prof. Renjie ZHOU, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Tulio VALDEZ, School of Medicine/Head & Neck Surgery Dept., Stanford University Reflection-Mode Diffraction Tomography for Noninvasive & In Vivo Mapping of Nanoscale Topographic Features in Tissues
Prof. Zhong LI, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. David HUNTER, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney Clinical Data-informed Screening of Pain Medications Using an Osteoarthritis Pain Model Established in Joint-on-A-Chip SystemsClinical Data-informed Screening of Pain Medications Using an Osteoarthritis Pain Model Established in Joint-on-A-Chip Systems
Prof. Xiangyu YUE, Dept. of Information Engineering Prof. Yang YOU, Computer Science, National University of Singapore Personalized & Trustworthy Medical Diagnosis & Treatment Planning through Domain-Adaptive Multi-Modal Large Language Models
Prof. Shih-Chi CHEN, Dept. of Mechanical and Automation Engineering Prof. Yongxin (Leon) ZHAO, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University Super-Resolved Whole Organ Imaging via Magnify, Precision Microtome & Advanced Fluorescent Microscopy
Prof. Bo GAO, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Yingzi YANG, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University The Role of WNT/PCP Signaling in Somitogenesis & Congenital Scoliosis
Prof. Chi Chiu Ronald WANG, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Prof. Elly M. HOL, Dept. of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center (UMC), Utrecht University Unveiling Molecular Signatures & Distribution of Abnormal Neural Stem Cell Quiescence in Human Subventricular Zone of Fetal Brain by Advanced Single Cell & Spatial Transcriptomic Sequencing Technology
Prof. Yao WANG, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Prof. Elisabet STENER-VICTORIN, Reproductive Physiology, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute Targeting Taurine Supplementation as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Prof. Kin Fai HO, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Dr. Peter Ka Hung CHAN, Dept. of Population Health, University of Oxford Investigating Proteomic & Metabolomic Signatures in Response To Co-Exposure to Non-Optimal Temperature & Air Pollution
Prof. Amos TAI, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Stephen SITCH, Dept. of Geography, University of Exeter Effects of Climate Extreme Events & Air Pollution on forest Carbon Uptake in asia: Implications for Carbon Neutrality & Public Health Under Climate Change
Prof. Francis TAM, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Matthew COLLINS, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter Robust Projections of Future Monsoon Rainfall Variability By Next-Generation Earth System Models
Prof. Tat-Shing CHOW, Earth and Environmental Science Programme Prof. Myrna SIMPSON, Environmental NMR Centre, Dept. of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto

 

Prof. Satish MYNENI, Dept. of Geosciences, Princeton University

 Threats of Post-Pandemic Disinfectant Overuse to Urban Aquatic Environments
Prof. Michael PITTMAN, School of Life Sciences Dr. Michael HABIB, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles How Do Animals Evolve Flight? Anatomy & Flight Stroke Mechanics Underpinning Multiple Flight Origins among Early Birds & Their Close Relatives
Prof. Silin ZHONG, School of Life Sciences Prof. Julian HIBBERD, Dept. of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge Comparing the Regulomes of C4 & C3 Plants to investigate the Evolution of C4 Photosynthesis
Prof. Otto HANNUKSELA, Dept. of Physics Prof. Tjonnie Guang Feng LI, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, KU Leuven Data Analysis in Gravitational-Wave Astronomy: Enhancing Sensitivity & Accuracy
Prof. Cecilia L. CHU, School of Architecture Prof. Caitlin DeSilvey, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Transpositions in Urban Cultural Landscapes: Memories, Performances & Heritage-Making in Hong Kong & Puerto Rico
Prof. Thomas Wang-Leung CHUNG, School of Architecture Prof. Eva BRANSCOME, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London The Reliving of industrial Heritages in The Context of Urban Regeneration in China： Case Studies in Guangzhou
Prof. Hoi Lam Helene FUNG, Dept. of Psychology Prof. Nancy A. PACHANA, School of Psychology, The University of Queensland Age Differences in information Spreading: A Social Network Perspective
Prof. Jerome HUI, School of Life Sciences Prof. Nathan LO, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney

 

Prof. Budiman MINASNY, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney

 Unravelling the Relationships between Soil, Landscape & Biodiversity – from Basic Study of Soil Health to Establishing their Potential Applications
Prof. Jiang XIA, Dept. of Chemistry Prof. Jian Ren LU, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester Artificial Dermis for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Prof. Helen MENG, Dept. of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management Prof. Bhiksha RAJ, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University Detecting Manipulation in Speech Recordings & Identifying Their Provenance
2023-24
Prof. Victor Junnan PAN, Dept. of Linguistics & Modern Languages Prof. Klaus ABELS, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London On Language Faculty & its Biological Properties: A Cross-linguistic Study from a Neuro-Psycho-Linguistic Approach
Prof. Anna Maria BLOCKI, School of Biomedical Sciences Prof. Tao WANG, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester Modelling & Investigating Underlying Molecular Mechanisms of Genetic Small Brain Vessel Diseases On-a-chip
Prof. Xiaoyu TIAN, School of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Xi FANG, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Intercepting the Mitochondrial-to-Nuclear Communication for Treatment of Vascular Inflammation & Atherosclerosis
Prof. Yee Kwan Elaine CHOW, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Dr. Calvin KE, Dept. of Medicine, University of Toronto Phenome- & Genome-wide Analyses of the Causal Role of Hypertriglyceridemia in Diabetes for Discovery of Drug Targets
Prof. Pui Wah Jacqueline CHUNG, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Dr. Jiangfeng YE, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (A teaching hospital of National University of Singapore) Deciphering Immunostimulatory Cell Landscape in Endometrium Microenvironment by Single Cell & Spatial Sequencing for Potential Therapeutic Target of Recurrent Miscarriage
Prof. Renjie ZHOU, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Tong LING, School of Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University Single-frame Optical Tomography (SILACT) for Fast Imaging & Detection of Neural Electrical Activity
Prof. Shing Shin CHENG, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Dr. Andre KYME, School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney Robotic MRI-Linac Benchmarking System for Motion-adaptive Radiotherapy Treatment
Prof. Hong XU, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering Prof. Baochun LI, Applied Sciences and Engineering, University of Toronto Efficient & Practical Edge AI: From Training to Inference
Prof. Hongliang REN, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Animesh GARG, Computer Science, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology Autonomous Co-manipulation in Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Interventions
Prof. Xiankai SUN, Dept. of Electronic Engineering Prof. Shayan MOOKHERJEA, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego Developing Key Functional Photonic Devices & Systems for Next-generation Telecommunications & Quantum Applications
Prof. Tat Ming Darwin LAU, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Prof. Etienne BURDET, Dept. of Bioengineering, Imperial College London Human-Robot Interaction & Intention Control for Robotic Supernumerary Limbs
Prof. Xiaonan LIU, Dept. of Psychology Prof. Chuchu LI, Dept. of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego Developing Personalised & Adaptive Second Language Learning Programs Based on Biologically Plausible Neural Network Models
Prof. Bangti JIN, Dept. of Mathematics Prof. Simon ARRIDGE, Dept. of Computer Science, University College London Deep Solvers for Differential Equations
Prof. Ying WANG, Dept. of Chemistry Dr. Ziyun WANG, School of Chemical Science, The University of Auckland The Pathways to Green Chemical Production with Renewable Electricity & CO2
Prof. Lin LIU, Earth System Science Programme Prof. Michiel van den BROEKE, Faculty of Science and Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University Revealing Greenland Ice Sheet Hydrology Using Artificial Intelligence
Prof. Yuan XU, Dept. of Geography & Resource Management Prof. Tihomir ANCEV, School of Economics, The University of Sydney Food-Energy Nexus in Vietnam: Solar PV Development for Carbon Neutrality
Prof. Tak Ming Desmond TSANG, School of Hotel and Tourism Management Dr. William CHEUNG, Dept. of Property, The University of Auckland Sustainable Tourism & the Built Environment: Do ‘Healthy’ Hotels Create Value or Merely Represent Greenwashing?
Prof. Ting Fung Philos CHAN, School of Life Sciences Dr. Rosalind DEAKER, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney An Interdisciplinary Investigation into the Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis: Potential to Improve Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Chickpeas
Prof. Lap Ah TSE, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Prof. Victoria ARRANDALE, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto Assessing Short-/Long-term Health Impacts of Combined Exposures of Multiple Environmental Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: An International Comparative Study between China, US, UK & Other Asian Countries
2022-23
Prof. Man Nin Chan, Earth System Science Programme Prof. Arthur Chan, Dept. of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto Characterising the Abundance & Composition of Airborne Nanoplastic Particles
Prof. Kwong Wai Richard Choy, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Prof. Cynthia Morton, Division of Human Communication, Development & Hearing, The University of Manchester Identifying the Missing Heritability by WGS in SEQaBoo
Prof. Wang Leung Thomas Chung, School of Architecture Prof. Edward Denison, The Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London Developing a Multi-level Conservation Framework for Sustainable Eco-living: The Sha Lo Tung Cultural Landscape Project
Prof. Yi Ping Megan Ho, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Prof. Ken Tye Yong, School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Sydney Plasmonic Droplet Screening for Single-cell Analysis
Prof. Liwen Jiang, School of Life Sciences Prof. David Drubin, Dept. of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley Institute of Integrative Biology
Prof. Ho Owen Ko, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Dr. Florencia Iacaruso, The Francis Crick Institute Interrogating Age-related Neuronal Dynamic Changes in a Key Brainstem Neural Circuit
Prof. Ching Wan Ronald Ma, Dept. of Medicine & Therapeutics Dr. Richard Oram, College of Medicine & Health, University of Exeter Pathway-specific Polygenic Risk Scores for Precision Medicine in Diabetes
Prof. Victor Junnan Pan, Dept. of Linguistics & Modern Languages Prof. Roberta D’Alessandro, Utrecht Institute of Linguistics, Utrecht University A Comparative Investigation on the Micro & Macro-contact of Wu Dialects in China & Europe
Prof. Jianfang Wang, Dept. of Physics Prof. Feng Wang, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University College London In Situ Probing Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation
Prof. Li Zhang, Dept. of Mechanical & Automation Engineering Prof. Joseph Sung, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Microrobotic Platform for Biofilms Eradication & Clinical Applications

 

 

Last updated in October 2025