Description
About Us
China Institute for Educational Finance Research (CIEFR) at Peking University was jointly established by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, and Peking University on October 27, 2005. As China's first academic institution dedicated exclusively to educational finance research, CIEFR operates as an independent research institute within Peking University.
The establishment of CIEFR represents a pioneering collaboration between central government agencies and a leading university, exploring innovative mechanisms for scientific research. The Institute primarily undertakes major projects commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, and other government agencies. We conduct cutting-edge, rigorous empirical research to provide evidence-based recommendations for central and local government decision-making, and facilitate effective communication and dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and various education stakeholders.
In 2025, CIEFR celebrated its 20th anniversary with a series of commemorative events.
Policy Impact and Academic Achievement
CIEFR’s contributions to policy have received widespread recognition. He Guangcai, Party Secretary of Peking University, noted that over the past two decades, CIEFR has aligned closely with national needs, deeply engaging in research regarding China’s educational finance systems. These research findings have significantly contributed to the formulation of national policies.
Tan Songhua, former Director of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Society of Education, stated: "CIEFR has made indelible contributions to the Chinese government's successful resolution of priorities in education investment and the coordinated development between eastern and western regions. It has established the reputation and academic rigor of a high-end think tank, formed an elite academic team, and built a comprehensive disciplinary system for educational finance".
In terms of academic excellence, CIEFR was rated as a Category A research institute at Peking University in 2025, standing out among more than ten institutes across the sciences, engineering, and social sciences. This rating reflects high recognition of CIEFR’s scholarly accomplishments within the Peking University academic community.
Future Directions and Recruitment
CIEFR’s research spans all levels and types of education, adhering to an interdisciplinary strategy. According to our development plan, we are prioritizing Science and Technology Finance and Computational Social Science as key future directions. We are committed to becoming a globally influential research hub while actively supporting the Chinese government’s "education going global" strategy.
To strengthen our team, we invite applications for 3-4 faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Researcher, Associate Researcher, or Researcher (equivalent to Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) in the following areas:
Education Finance
Science and Technology Finance
Computational Social Science
International Education Finance and Policy
What We Offer
These positions are part of Peking University’s Research and Technical Faculty Series. These are university tenure-track/tenured positions with full benefits, including:
Subsidized faculty housing at below-market rents
Access to high-quality educational resources (from preschool through high school)
Comprehensive healthcare benefits through university-affiliated hospitals
Competitive compensation packages offered in accordance with national and university regulations
Negotiable special compensation arrangements for candidates with high market competitiveness
CIEFR provides a first-class platform for academic development:
Internal Research Funding: Substantial internal grants to support faculty projects.
Research Associate Support: Each faculty member is typically assigned 1-2 research associates.
Academic Dissemination: We maintain our own dissemination system, including the influential newsletter "China Educational Finance".
Exchange Platforms: CIEFR hosts the annual China Educational Finance Academic Conference.
Graduate Training: Faculty are encouraged to participate in graduate student training without being bound by rigid undergraduate teaching obligations.
Job Announcement in Chinese https://ciefr.pku.edu.cn/gywm/zpxx/kyryzp/e2a7914516eb464381b6a158e04fb722.htm
Requirements
What We Expect
We expect candidates to share our motto: “Compassion and Simplicity, Truth and Integrity” ().
Evaluation Philosophy: We do not use internal KPI metrics or require faculty to apply for national grants. Evaluation is based on research quality and policy impact rather than simple journal counts or project numbers.
Academic Spirit: We value the spirit of "freedom of thought and inclusiveness" while maintaining academic independence.
Academic Backgrounds:
For Education Finance and International Policy: Backgrounds in sociology, political science, business, public administration, or economics are welcome.
For S&T Finance and Computational Social Science: We welcome candidates from social sciences, science, or engineering interested in interdisciplinary research.
Required Qualifications:
A Ph.D. from a prestigious domestic or international university.
Experience as a research assistant at a top-tier university, postdoctoral experience, or an equivalent position is preferred.
Exceptional candidates may receive special consideration.
The capability to conduct independent academic research, undertake policy tasks for the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education, and produce high-quality policy reports.
The ability to lead research teams, a collaborative spirit, and demonstrated experience in field research.
