Prof. Jianli Chen is a Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, he had spent 28 years of his academic career at the University of Texas at Austin. Prof. Jianli Chen is a world renowned expert in space geodesy and its applications in Earth sciences. He has been working on topics related to global climate change and geophysical applications of space geodetic techniques, including satellite gravimetry, satellite altimetry, and other geodetic measurements for over 30 years. He has been extensively involved in data processing, results validation, and geophysical interpretation of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite gravimetry mission, and is a leading science team member of both the GRACE and GRACE Follow-On missions. He is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and International Association of Geodesy (IAG), and has severed as the chair of the IERS Special Bureau for Hydrology since 2004, and co-chair/chair of the IAG Commission 3.3 (Earth Rotation and Geophysical Fluids) from 2012 to 2024. A crowning distinction of his decorative career was the 2005 US Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on early career scientists and engineers (he was the first PECASE awardee in related science field). He has published over 180 refereed journal publications, with over 60 as lead author.

Prof. Jianli Chen's full CV is available here.

• Space Geodesy and Applications
• Climate Change (sea level change, ice sheets and glacial melting, …)
• Hydrology (terrestrial water cycle, ground water, river discharge, …)
• Oceanography (temperature, salinity, ocean mass, ocean heat content…)
• Geodynamics, Earth Rotation, Gravity Field, Core-Mantle Interactions
• Seismic Deformation (from gravity and GPS observations)
• GNSS Applications (loading deformation, mass load inversion, …)

Ph.D. Student Positions

Prof. Chen is currently seeking highly motivated candidates for 2-3 Ph.D. student positions in the field of space geodesy and global climate change. Preferred qualifications include strong interest in space geodesy, geodynamics and global climate change, proficient English communication skills, and good data analysis and programming skills. 

The Ph.D. candidates are expected to work on two RGC and NSFC sponsored major projects on global and regional sea level change. Anybody with a major in geodesy, geophysics, or other related Earth science fields is encouraged to apply. Please send your CV (including college transcripts), a cover letter, and a research statement outlining your Ph.D. research plan (all in PDF format) to Prof. Jianli Chen ([email protected]).

The starting date can be as early as fall 2026 (if you have the English exam scores ready: IELTS 6.5).