VinUniversity Assistant Professorships (VAP)

ABOUT VINUNIVERSITY 

VinUniversity (VinUni) is Vietnam’s first private, not-for-profit university established to international standards, with the vision of becoming one of the world’s top 100 universities. Guided by its core values (EXCEL) of Empathy, Creativity, Leadership Mindset, Exceptional Capability, and Entrepreneurial Spirit, VinUni develops talent equipped to create meaningful impact in Vietnam and globally. 

Founded by Vingroup, one of Asia’s largest private conglomerates, VinUni benefits from a dynamic ecosystem spanning Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture, and Social Enterprises. This ecosystem provides unique opportunities for collaboration and innovation through leading organizations such as VinFast, Vinpearl, Vinmec, Vinschool, and Vinhomes, as well as a vibrant entrepreneurial network including VinVentures, VinMotion, VinRobotics, VinSpace, and VinEnergo, etc. 

VinUni comprises four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Management, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and the College of Health Sciences. The University has established strategic partnerships with Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania and Nanyang Technological University to advance excellence in education, research, and innovation. 

In 2024, VinUni became the youngest and fastest university globally to achieve QS 5 Stars, earning the highest rating in nine categories: Global Engagement, Good Governance, Program Strength, Academic Development, Teaching, Employability, Facilities, Arts, and Social Impact. The University was also appointed by UNESCO as the first and only UNESCO Chair University, focusing on Environmental Leadership, Cultural Heritage, and Biodiversity. 

As a rapidly growing research-intensive university, VinUni is investing in world-class talent, research centers, and cutting-edge facilities to drive breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data Science, Environmental Intelligence, Innovations 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 2020.

• 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 USD 200 000 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.