Call for Application: Visiting Research Fellowship (2026) - BASED IN MACAU

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 http://unu.edu

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 macau.unu.edu.

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