VinUni Researchers: 200 Fully-Funded Research Fellowships, Vietnam92 Views

VinUni does not recruit generically for “any topic.” Instead, Researchers 200 is built around five strategic research domains that respond to global priorities and Vietnam’s national development agenda. 

1. Innovation in Health Sciences

This pillar addresses precision medicine, innovative therapeutics, population health, health systems, and health technologies. Fellows may work with VinUni’s College of Health Sciences and partners such as Vinmec on projects ranging from AI-assisted diagnosis and clinical decision support to preventive care, medical devices, and health policy evaluation.

For researchers with a background in medicine, public health, bioinformatics, or clinical data science, this track offers a rare combination of access to hospital data, translational research opportunities, and policy relevance.

2. Environmental Intelligence

The Environmental Intelligence pillar brings together environmental monitoring, data-driven modelling, materials science, and climate resilience. Typical topics include:

• • Climate and disaster risk analytics

  • Clean technologies and sustainable materials

  • “Living labs” that integrate sensors, data, and interventions in real environments

  • Critical minerals and circular-economy approaches

Fellows in this track can link fundamental environmental science to tangible policy and industry outcomes, contributing to Vietnam’s green transition and

3. Brain, AI & Robotics

This is a forward-looking cluster that integrates:

• • Artificial intelligence and machine learning

  • Robotics and autonomous systems

  • Brain–computer interfaces and cognitive AI

  • Human-centric and ethical AI

Projects may span precision manufacturing, smart mobility, assistive robotics, and neuromorphic or brain-inspired computing. Researchers who combine rigorous technical skills with an interest in human impact and ethical design can use this pillar to build cross-disciplinary collaborations with engineers, clinicians, and social scientists.

4. Intelligent Computing and Data Science

The Intelligent Computing and Data Science pillar focuses on:

• • High-performance and energy-efficient computing

  • Data engineering and secure, privacy-aware data pipelines

  • Large-scale analytics and machine learning systems

  • User experience, reliability, and compliance in data-driven products

Current job calls emphasize opportunities to design and operate robust data infrastructure, build scalable AI solutions, and collaborate with other VinUni units on cross-cutting projects in health, sustainability, and public policy.

5. Policy Development and Sustainable Societies

This pillar connects green transitions, socio-ecological diversity, innovation, cultural heritage, and evidence-based policy design. Potential

• • Policy experiments for climate resilience and just transitions

  • Social innovation and inclusive development

  • Governance of emerging technologies

  • Cultural heritage, creative industries, and sustainable tourism

Researchers with backgrounds in public policy, economics, sociology, law, or interdisciplinary social sciences can play a central role in shaping data-informed, context-sensitive policies for Vietnam and the wider region.

Who is the Program For?

The VinUni Researchers 200 Program is designed for high-potential early-career researchers who see themselves moving toward an independent research career within a few years. According to the program’s official criteria, applicants are expected to demonstrate: 

• • A PhD degree from a reputable or top-tier institution

  • A strong publication record, ideally with papers in respected international journals or conferences

  • Demostratable ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and cultures

  • Clear communication, teamwork, and project-management skills

  • Motivation to co-develop a research plan with a VinUni host mentor and to contribute to one of the five strategic pillars

The program is particularly attractive to:

• • Postdoctoral researchers and PhD graduates seeking postdoctoral-style fellowships in Vietnam with a strong pathway toward independence

  • Members of the Vietnamese and regional diaspora interested in returning to Asia while maintaining international standards of research

  • International early-career scholars who value the combination of global research quality and emerging-market relevance

  • Researchers who want to connect fundamental science with real-world data, industry projects, and policy impact

If your profile combines strong academic achievements with an appetite for interdisciplinary work and societal impact, Researchers 200 is designed with you in mind.

Current Open Positions under Researchers 200

As of November 2025, the VinUni careers portal lists a dedicated set of roles under the “RESEARCHERS 200” division. The jobs filter shows five full-time positions in Hanoi, each with an application deadline of 28 February 2026: 

• • Researcher of Health Sciences – based in the College of Health Sciences, focusing on research at the intersection of clinical practice, population health, and health technology.

  • Researcher of Environmental Intelligence – working on environmental sensing, climate resilience, sustainable materials, and data-driven environmental policy.

  • Researcher of Brain, AI & Robotics – covering AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and human-machine interaction.

  • Researcher of Intelligent Computing and Data Science – centred on computing architectures, data engineering, and advanced analytics for cross-domain applications.

  • Researcher of Policy Development and Sustainable Societies – engaging with sustainable development, green transitions, and socio-economic policy innovation.

Each job listing provides a detailed description, eligibility criteria, and an “Apply Now” button via the VinUni application portal. The exact mix of openings may change over time, but the five thematic pillars remain stable anchors of the Researchers 200 initiative.

Based on the current cycle, prospective candidates can reasonably expect future calls to follow a similar annual pattern, with application windows running into around February 2027 for the next intake. Exact dates will be confirmed on the official jobs page and should always be checked there; this article will be updated as new calls are published.

Application Materials and Selection Process

Applicants submit their materials through the online system on the VinUni careers portal. While details can vary slightly between positions, a typical Researchers 200 application will include: 

• • Cover letter explaining your research interests, motivation to join VinUni, and how you fit the Researchers 200 framework

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) documenting education, positions held, publications, grants, awards, and relevant collaborations

  • Evidence of scientific achievements such as selected publications, key datasets, software outputs, patents, or applied projects

  • Research statement or plan (often 2–4 pages) outlining what you propose to do over the next 2–3 years at VinUni

  • Contact details of referees, who may be invited to submit confidential letters of recommendation

The selection process typically mirrors a faculty-style recruitment pipeline, adapted for research fellow roles:

1. 1. Initial screening – the hiring committee reviews applications for eligibility, research quality, and fit with strategic themes.

   2. First interview – often an online meeting to discuss your background, interests, and alignment with a potential mentor or research group.

   3. Job talk or research presentation – you present your past work and proposed future agenda to an interdisciplinary audience, demonstrating both depth and breadth.

   4. Reference and background checks – the hiring team seeks additional assurance on research integrity, collegiality, and long-term potential.

   5. Offer negotiation and onboarding – if selected, you will discuss terms, expectations, and resources before receiving a formal offer letter and beginning relocation and onboarding arrangements.

To stand out, treat the application as more than a CV drop. Articulate a research plan that:

• • Builds logically on your previous work

  • Demonstrates feasibility within 2–3 years

  • Shows clear alignment with one of the five pillars and with Vietnam’s broader development context

  • Identifies potential external funding or partnerships that could be pursued during your fellowship

Why Choose VinUni and Vietnam for Your Research Career?

VinUniversity is a young but rapidly rising institution, established in 2019 as a private, non-profit university founded by Vingroup. It has already been recognized as the youngest university globally to receive a QS 5-Star overall rating under the latest QS standards, reflecting exceptional performance in teaching, internationalization, facilities, and other key dimensions. 

World-Class Partners and Global Networks

VinUni has built strategic, long-term partnerships with leading universities, including Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a comprehensive alliance with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore. 

For Researchers 200 fellows, this means:

• • Opportunities to collaborate on joint projects or co-authored publications

  • Access to visiting scholars, joint seminars, and exchange activities

  • Exposure to global standards in research evaluation, curriculum design, and academic leadership

Deep Integration with Industry and Society

Through its founding by Vingroup, VinUni is closely connected to:

• • Vinmec Health System (hospitals and clinics)

  • Technology and data companies working on AI, smart cities, and digital platforms

  • Other innovation entities within the group

This integration enables fellows to develop industry-relevant, data-rich projects and to test solutions directly with partners, whether in health, mobility, energy, or digital services.

Supportive Research Culture and Environment

Internal testimonials and institutional policies emphasize:

• • Low teaching loads and substantial time allocated to research

  • Internal seed grants and start-up funding to launch new projects

  • Professional development funds for conferences, training, and collaboration trips

  • A collaborative culture where early-career researchers can interact directly with senior leaders and shape emerging research directions 

For further context on Vietnam’s wider higher-education transformation, readers may consult international analyses such as the World Bank’s reports on Vietnam’s higher education strategy and recent research on the internationalization of Vietnamese universities, which highlight the country’s push toward a more research-intensive, innovation-oriented system. 

Quality of Life in Hanoi

Hanoi offers a vibrant cultural environment, relatively low cost of living, and easy access to other Southeast Asian innovation hubs. For many researchers, this combination of career acceleration, international exposure, and livable city life makes the move highly attractive.

How to Get Started

If the VinUni Researchers 200 Program aligns with your ambitions, you can follow a simple but strategic roadmap:

1. 1. Study the official program page
      Begin with the official Researchers 200 page to understand the program’s goals, eligibility criteria, and five strategic pillars. [1]

   2. Explore the current job calls
      Visit the VinUni jobs portal and apply the “RESEARCHERS 200” filter to view all open positions, deadlines, and detailed role descriptions. This is also where you submit your application and track updates.

   3. Identify your research pillar and potential mentor
      Map your expertise to one of the five pillars. Then review VinUni’s College and Research Center pages to identify potential mentors whose work complements your profile. A short, thoughtful introductory email with a draft research idea can help initiate a productive conversation.

   4. Prepare a focused, impact-oriented research plan
      Craft a research statement that is:

      • Ambitious but realistic for a 2–3 year horizon

      • Well grounded in existing literature and methods

      • Explicit about potential collaborations, datasets, and real-world impact

      • Adaptable to external funding opportunities during your fellowship

      If you are still comparing options, you might also find it helpful to review internal guides such as “Postdoctoral Fellowships in Asia: Opportunities and Funding Options” (/postdoctoral-fellowships-asia/) or “Faculty and Research Positions in Vietnam and Southeast Asia” (/faculty-positions-vietnam/) on your own site, to position VinUni within the broader regional landscape.

   5. Submit early and follow up professionally
      Aim to submit well before the February 2026 deadline for the current cycle. Submitting early gives you time to correct any technical issues, provide additional documents if requested, and show that you are serious and organized.

Recommended Review and Update Timeline for This Article

Because recruitment cycles, salary scales, and institutional priorities can evolve, this article should be:

• • Reviewed at least once every 6–9 months, or whenever VinUni announces a new Researchers 200 call.

  • Updated promptly when:

    • New positions are added or old ones close

    • Deadlines shift for upcoming cycles

    • Program benefits, salary ranges, or duration are revised

    • Additional thematic pillars or research centers are launched

For now, the next probable cycle is expected to run into around February 2027, and the article should be re-checked against official sources as new information appears.

Final Thoughts

The VinUni Researchers 200 Program is more than a collection of postdoctoral jobs. It is a strategic investment in early-career researchers who are ready to take ownership of ambitious projects, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to Vietnam’s transformation into a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy.

For researchers seeking independence, global connectivity, and real-world impact, the program offers a compelling mix of competitive funding, sustained mentoring, and access to industry and policy partners—all within a university that has already secured a QS 5-Star overall rating and is actively expanding its global alliances.

If you recognize your own trajectory in this description, the next step is straightforward: explore the official program details and live vacancies on the VinUni careers portal, and begin shaping a research agenda that can grow in tandem with VinUniversity’s Vision 2030.

Program at a Glance

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