About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About UNU Institute in Macau (UNU Macau)

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 a research institute at the intersections of digital technology and sustainable development. The Institute conducts policy-relevant research and generates solutions, addressing pressing challenges expressed in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through high-impact innovations and the latest technologies. Through its research, the UNU Institute in Macau encourages data-driven and evidence-based actions and policies to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the Institute’s missions is to nurture the next generation of interdisciplinary computing, information and social scientists, and engineers to be leaders in the field of ICT for development. To this end, the institute seeks to build a team of experts to help deliver the institute’s mission and work plan. The Institute’s research tends to be more applied, and strives for policy impact in the UN system, at international, regional and national levels.

The UNU Institute in Macau is situated in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, and it is the only UN entity in the city. Macau is one of the most dynamic regions in Asia, where technological innovations have become an integral part in driving social and economic change. Macau is part of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), that hosts many private sector companies and technological giants that are just a short distance away. Its proximity to China, Hong Kong SAR and other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, provides an exciting opportunity for researchers and experts to maximize the impact of their work.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director, the Research Fellow – Generative AI and Education will assist with the planning, coordination, production and marketing of research activities related to generative AI and education. The responsibilities will include:

1. Explore and conduct research on a series of topics of generative AI and education.

2. Draft literature reviews based on the topics of focus.

3. Draft blog posts on different topics in collaboration with other researchers and experts.

4. Test generative AI tools to support the research process.

5. Support the book production on generative AI and education for Springer Nature in the UNU’s AI and Sustainability book series. Specifically,

a) Support to prepare for the book proposal.

b) Collect topics for the book, plan book writing timeline, and identify experts in the fields.

c) Conduct in-depth research in each topic and meet regularly to discuss progress in research and writing.

d) Coordinate with other book chapter contributors to ensure timely delivery of the chapter; help them to enrich the content on the UN perspective

e) Work closely with the publisher, Springer Nature, to ensure compliance of the publisher in the book production process.

6. Organize webinars on generative AI and education: identify and contact speakers, coordinate content with speakers, prepare marketing materials for the webinars, and summarize blog articles post-webinars. Engage speakers to contribute to the book

7. Search for relevant conferences to showcase our research outcomes.

8. Actively look for research grants, and develop research grants on the topics.

9. Co-create research proposals with partners (e.g. Ministry of Education) in the UNU Global AI Network.

10. Prepare a panel session to contribute to the 2025 UNU Macau AI Conference on Generative AI and Education.

11. Support the UNU Macau team with the AI conference preparation.

12. Perform other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Learning Objectives

The students will hone their research skills, conduct research in generative AI and education, and test different GenAI tools for educational setting and research. Students will also enhance their abilities to organize events (e.g. webinars), coordinate with experts, and promote the events. They will also improve their planning and organizing competencies, as well as professional acumen in managing complex, interconnected tasks. They will also improve English writing and oral communications. The student will also improve their teamwork skills by liaising with different stakeholders from all around the world and across disciplines.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration

Education:

• University studies in one of the following disciplines: educational technology, education in general, communications, computer science, AI, digital media, law, business, social sciences and other relevant fields, with strong research background is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft office applications, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel and in design software; proficient in prompt engineering with GenAI tools.
• Enroll in a graduate degree programme (Master’s or doctoral) or is within the two-year post-graduation (maximum) from either a bachelors’, masters’ or PhD degree programme.

Language:

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English are required.

Stipend
Interns who are not in receipt of financial support for the purpose of this internship from other sources such as universities or other institutions will receive a stipend from UNU to partially subsidize basic daily expenses such as meals, transportation, and internet costs for the duration of the internship.

The monthly stipend of UNU Macau for full-time placement will be MOP$5102.63. Part-time internship arrangements are prorated accordingly.

Duration of contract: The duration of the internship is 6 months.

Expected start date: March 2025, earlier if possible

How to Apply:

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit their application containing:

1) Brief cover letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;

2) Current and complete CV in English;

3) Examples of relevant research work in English.

Candidates invited for interview must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

1) Document(s) confirming your education status (e.g. transcript or proof of enrollment);

2) Proof of health and life/accident insurance valid for the duration and location in which the internship will be carried out. Selected intern must have health and life insurance.

Application Deadline: February 16, 2025 (11:59pm, Macau time zone GMT +8)

** Application page no longer operational beyond application deadline.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, and references.

Special notice
UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

The purpose of the Internship Programme is not to lead to further employment with UNU but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.

Interns may not represent UNU in any official capacity. Interns do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.
UNU accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

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