The East Asian Institute (EAI) is an autonomous research organization, set up in April 1997 under a statute of the National University of Singapore. EAI is the successor of the former Institute of East Asian Political Economy (IEAPE).

As a centre devoted to the study of developments in East Asia, EAI has a broader set of objectives than its predecessor, but it will continue to focus on contemporary China. Specifically it undertakes research on a wide range of topics, including the regional and global impact of a resurgent People's Republic of China (PRC), its political and social changes as a result of recent dynamic economic growth, the quest for cultural rejuvenation among the Chinese people, cultural and commercial networks of the ethnic Chinese in a global perspective, and developments in Hong Kong and Taiwan. At the same time, It also monitors political, economic and social trends in China and seeks to promote empirical and policy-oriented research based on sound scholarship.

To promote academic exchange and to enable its research findings to reach out to a wider segment of the public, EAI organizes seminars and publishes research papers on a regular basis. EAI also participates in joint research projects with government Ministries and Statutory boards in Singapore, promotes collaborative programmes with similar institutions in the region as well as organizes regional and international conferences and workshops on East Asian issues.

The long term vision of EAI is to develop into the region's foremost research institution on East Asian development. Its present research focus is initially on contemporary China, and it will later extend its research efforts to Japan and Korea as it builds up its resources..

The Institute's Staff

The Director of EAI is Professor Wang Gungwu who is assisted by a Management Board chaired by Mr. Hsuan Owyang, and an International Advisory Board of eminent Asian specialists. In organizing EAI's research and other academic activities, Professor Wang is assisted by Research Director Professor John Wong.

Professor Wang Gungwu was formerly Professor of Far Eastern History at Australian National University for 18 years and Director of its Research School of Pacific Studies. Prior to his coming to Singapore, he was vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, 1986-95.

Apart from administrative and supporting staff, EAI has established research positions for Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Research Officers, which are comparable in ranking to Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, and Senior Tutor respectively in the University's teaching departments. It also makes visiting appointments.

Library and Data

The EAI has a specialized library with good collections of English and Chinese materials on China and East Asia. Its main collections cover the fields of economics, politics, sociology, law, culture, foreign relations as well as trade and investment in China.

The current count of book titles is about 25,000 volumes including a comprehensive collection of valuable year books, and subscriptions to 1,064 journals, periodicals and newspapers from the PRC, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It also has a non-print collection available in microfilms and microfiche.

Also available is an electronic database for the period 1978-96, maintained by a data processing unit which stores information from a large number of newspapers and journals for the use of EAI staff and other researchers.

As the library is highly specialized with materials acquired to support EAI's own research programmes, public access to the collection is presently restricted. Organizations which are interested in having access to the library resources may get in touch with the EAI Librarian for more information on the available schemes.

Research Opportunities and Openings

EAI is in the process of building up a core team of competent and well-trained researchers who are committed, as their first career choice, to doing scholarly research on East Asia especially contemporary China. Applications are invited for positions of Research Fellow/ Senior Research Fellows.

Specifically, EAI seeks suitably qualified China scholars, trained in the broad fields of economics, sociology, political, science and international relations, who are interested in doing research on China's economic reforms and political and social changes, including the integration of China into the global community and its impact on Southeast Asia.

Intellectual maturity and a good command of Chinese and English are important prerequisites. Actual working experience in China would be an additional asset. Successful candidates will be offered an initial contract of up to three years at a time which is renewable. Senior scholars can come for shorter terms on visiting appointments.

Salaries offered will be within the range : Gross S$58,300 - S$140,000 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience (US$ = S$1.42). In addition, a 13th month Annual Allowance ( of one month's salary) and an Annual Variable Component (of normally 2 month's salary) may be payable at year end, under the flexible wage system, to staff on normal contracts.

Leave and medical benefits will be provided. Depending on the type of contract offered, other benefits may include: provident fund benefits or an end-of-contract gratuity, a settling-in allowance, subsidized housing, education allowance for up to three children subject to a maximum of S$ 16,425 per annum per child, passage assistance and baggage allowance for the transportation of personal effects to Singapore.

A letter of application together with a detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three academic referees and samples of recent publications should be sent to:

		The Director
		The East Asian Institute
		National University of Singapore
		Block AS5, Level 4
		10 Kent Ridge Crescent
		Singapore 119260

		Tel: 65-7791037	Fax: 65-7793409