PhD Opportunities

Land-use change and climate mitigation are central challenges for sustainable development. The APLUS Lab conducts interdisciplinary research on the interactions between forestry and agricultural systems, carbon accounting, ecosystem modeling, and climate policy to support sustainable land management and carbon-neutrality pathways. We are currently offering PhD positions, beginning Fall 2026, for students interested in one or more research areas.

Research areas

1. Land use carbon budget. This track examines carbon accounting from the land use sector, including land-use transitions, livestock methane, and climate impacts on agroecosystems. Applicants with strong skills in bookkeeping modeling, vegetation or ecological modeling, GIS/remote sensing, machine learning are encouraged.

2. Wood product life cycle assessment. This track focuses on wood product life-cycle assessment, integrating forest carbon dynamics, trade-related emissions, and material substitution effects. Applicants with backgrounds in forestry, wood science, LCA, industrial ecology, environmental economics, or trade analysis, and strong quantitative skills are encouraged.

Your profile

  • Master’s degree (or exceptional Bachelor’s) in geography, forestry & wood science, agriculture, ecology, environmental science/engineering, GIS/remote sensing, economics, data science, or related fields
  • Research experience; publication record is an advantage
  • Experience with programming and quantitative analysis (e.g., Python, R)
  • Strong English communication skills (IELTS ≥6.5 with ≥6 per band; TOEFL iBT ≥85, per HKU requirements)

Our offer

  • A PhD scholarship for four years (full time, following the university salary scales)
  • Development of scientific writing, programming, and analytical skills
  • Training across natural sciences, engineering, and policy domains
  • Opportunities for collaboration with partners at Peking University, Tsinghua University, Lanzhou University, Princeton, UMD, OSU, Cambridge, and others
  • Fieldwork, conference participation, and engagement with policy and research networks
  • Supportive research environment within HKU’s Department of Geography and Institute for Climate & Carbon Neutrality

How to apply

Please email lqpeng@hku.hk with the subject line: “PhD – Your Name – University” with at least the following documents:

  • CV
  • Transcripts
  • Contact information for at least two referees

Applicants can submit a formal application to the HKU Graduate School (deadline: 1 December 2025) after email consultation, listing Liqing Peng as the prospective supervisor.