Electrochemist Liu Jiawei Relocates from Singapore to Launch Own Lab at CityU Hong Kong
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN

Summary
Electrochemist Liu Jiawei has set up her own research laboratory at City University of Hong Kong after relocating from Singapore, where she spent a decade advancing her career. Her decision to move to Hong Kong reflects a desire to be closer to family in mainland China while maintaining access to a high-standard international research environment. Now two years into her transition, Liu is leveraging Hong Kong's academic model of independent principal investigators who enjoy substantial autonomy in steering their own labs and research directions, while also benefiting from the city's strong emphasis on cross-group collaboration among various research teams.
Key Points
- Liu Jiawei completed her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Nanyang Technological University and earned her PhD in materials science and engineering there in 2021
- She conducted postdoctoral research at NTU and Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research for three years
- After two years as a research assistant professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, she joined CityU as an assistant professor in April
- Her appointment sits between the School of Energy and Environment and the Department of Chemistry at CityU
- She states Singapore and Hong Kong share similar research environments, with Hong Kong offering proximity to mainland China and connections to the West
Why It Matters
Liu's migration represents a successful talent acquisition for Hong Kong's academic sector, bringing expertise in renewable energy and materials science to CityU's research community. Her experience highlights Hong Kong's ability to attract high-calibre researchers from established Asian research hubs, reinforcing the city's position as a regional centre for scientific innovation and collaboration.
Liu's migration represents a successful talent acquisition for Hong Kong's academic sector, bringing expertise in renewable energy and materials science to CityU's research community. Her experience highlights Hong Kong's ability to attract high-calibre researchers from established Asian research hubs, reinforcing the city's position as a regional centre for scientific innovation and collaboration.