Ma Jun, chief economist at the research bureau of the People's Bank of China, gestures while he speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China, Sept 10, 2014.[Photo/VCG]

A former chief economist at the People's Bank of China (PBOC) will take up a lead research position at Tsinghua University.

Ma Jun, former chief economist with the research bureau of the central bank, said he will start his academic career at the National Finance Research Institute of Tsinghua University when he leaves the central bank.

He plans to focus on areas such as macroeconomic policy, financial risk, the Belt and Road Initiative and green finance.

He will continue to serve as Chairman of the Green Finance Committee of China Society for Finance and Banking, to help accelerate the greening of China's financial sector, he said.

He said his contract with the PBOC had ended and he is undergoing a transition period, finishing up a few tasks.

Ma began as PBOC's chief economist in April 2014.