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HKU School of Innovation is  hiring PhDs! Please help us spread the words or refer.

Join a world-class research environment at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), ranked No. 1 in Asia 

and No. 11 globally. We are seeking 2 passionate individuals to pursue a PhD in Innovation and 

Entrepreneurship under the supervision of Pr. Zhuoxuan (Fanny) Li at the School of Innovation 

(I-School). Qualified candidates will receive a full scholarship and a five-year stipend funded by the

Hong Kong government.

About the Opportunity

This position offers a unique opportunity to study how innovation emerges and spreads in a rapidly

evolving global landscape. Our research group explores how distributed innovation, AI-enabled technological change, and entrepreneurial ecosystems drive new venture creation and transformation. We examine  how organizations and communities manage innovation under uncertainty, and how AI-related 

technologies reshape collaboration, learning, and value creation in the innovation and entrepreneurship process.

Research Themes

1. 1  Distributed innovation and open collaboration

2. 2  AI-enabled technological innovation and transformation

3. 3  Innovation management and strategy

4. 4  Entrepreneurial ecosystems and regional innovation networks

5. 5  Digital platforms and technology-driven entrepreneurship

Who Should Apply

We welcome applications from undergraduate seniors, master's and MBA graduates, and industry

professionals who are ready to return to academia. Ideal candidates are intellectually curious,

self-driven, and eager to explore how innovation systems evolve in the digital era.

Preferred Backgrounds

1. 1  Graduated from a global top 50 university. Current students need to obtain a GPA of 3.7+ / 4.0 or ranked in the top 20% of your program. 

2. 2  For working professionals, demonstrated leadership experience is startups or corporates. Entrepreneurship and Innovation-related experiences will be greatly valued.  

3. 3  Prior research experience (such as thesis work, publications, or research assistantship) is strongly

   preferred.

4. 4  Backgrounds in management, innovation, entrepreneurship, engineering, economics, or data science are welcome.

5 Experience with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research methods is a plus.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare the following materials and send them to zhuoxli@hku.hk: 

1. 1  CV or resume.

2. 2  Transcript(s).

3. 3  1-page statement of research interests.

4. 4  A writing sample (academic paper, thesis chapter, or research report).

5. 5  Names and contact information of three referees.

   Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, deadline is Dec 1st, 2025 for those who want to join in Sep, 2026. Only completed package will be considered. 

About The University of Hong Kong, I-School, and Dr. Zhuoxuan (Fanny) Li 

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a globally recognized institution renowned for academic

excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and its leadership in innovation. HKU's School of

Innovation (I-School) serves as a dynamic hub that bridges management, engineering, and public

policy to foster research and education that address real-world challenges in entrepreneurship,

sustainability, and technology-driven transformation.

Dr. Zhuoxuan (Fanny) Li is an Assistant Professor at HKU I-School. Her research explores the

intersection of distributed innovation, entrepreneurship, and institutional theory, examining how

organizations, open communities, and ecosystems collaborate to advance technological and social

change. She previously served as a Lecturer at Yale University and as a Postdoctoral Scholar at

Stanford University, where she collaborated with Prof. Charles Eesley in the Department of

Management Science and Engineering. Dr. Li is passionate about mentoring the next generation of

scholars who aspire to bridge rigorous research with meaningful real-world impact.

For more information about research opportunities, visit HKU's School of Innovation website: https://i-school.hku.hk/ or

reach out directly at zhuoxli@hku.hk.