Head of Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 13 Nov 2022

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is a government-funded tertiary institution in Hong Kong. It offers programmes at various levels including Doctorate, Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. It has a full-time staff strength of around 5,000 including 1,200 academic staff. The total annual consolidated expenditure budget of the University is in excess of HK$7.6 billion. Committed to academic excellence, PolyU aspires to become a leading university that excels in professional education, world-class research and partnership for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. For further details about the University, please visit PolyU’s website at http://www.polyu.edu.hk .

DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE AND BILINGUAL STUDIES

Head of Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (Ref. 22060909)

The Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (CBS) is one of the constituent departments of the Faculty of Humanities. One of the core missions of CBS is to promote and develop studies of Chinese, multilingualism, and language science in Chinese contexts. With over 50 full-time academic and teaching staff members, CBS is a vibrant centre for research in the areas of Chinese linguistics, corpus linguistics, speech and communication disorders, cognitive neuroscience, bilingual communication, Chinese language education, Chinese language testing, language technology, and translation and interpreting. The Department is also devoted to offering high-quality education programmes at different levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) in Chinese Linguistics, Chinese Language Education, Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Speech Therapy, Translating and Interpreting, Bilingual Corporate Communication, as well as Korean / Japanese language and culture courses at bachelor’s level. Within the Department, there is a PolyU-PKU Research Centre on Chinese Linguistics, a Speech Therapy Unit, a Research Centre for Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, and a Centre for Translation Studies. CBS colleagues also conduct highly interdisciplinary research using advanced technologies (e.g., MRI, EEG/ERP, VR, AI/NLP) and facilities (e.g., University Research Facility in Behavioural and Systems Neuroscience).  The medium of instruction and administration is English.  More information about the Department may be found at http://www.cbs.polyu.edu.hk/ .

The University is now inviting applications and nominations for the post of Head of Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies. The successful candidate will be appointed as Chair Professor/Professor normally on regular terms of appointment (equivalent to tenured professorship), commensurate with his/her qualifications and experience, and will hold a concurrent headship appointment. The concurrent headship appointment is normally for an aggregate period of six years in two three-year terms of office. Other suitable candidate(s) from the search, if deemed appropriate by the University, may be appointed as Chair Professor/Professor if not as Head of Department.

The position calls for a visionary academic leader with responsibilities of ensuring the smooth and successful operation and sustainable development of the Department.

Reporting directly to the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, the appointee will be required to

(a) provide effective leadership in the development of long-term strategies and plans of the Department in alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan, and coach and empower staff members so that they can accomplish planned objectives with world-class standards and in an effective and efficient manner;

(b) ensure high-quality teaching as well as holistic development of the students, and align the Department’s programmes with the needs of the community;

(c) facilitate the conduct of innovative and original research of high quality and impact, and promote and develop genuine cross-disciplinary research with the optimal use of research funds, within and beyond the Department;

(d) provide leadership in technology development, commercialisation and entrepreneurship initiatives to extend the impact of research outcomes of the University to the community;

(e) provide leadership in developing a strong network of partnership with leading institutions for opportunities and collaboration in education, research and knowledge transfer activities;

(f) enhance the local and international networks of partnerships and linkages with the community, particularly the professional, public and business sectors, so as to gain their support for the major strategic initiatives of the University;

(g) ensure effective internal communication that leads to a transparent decision-making process and promote the Department’s strengths and other services to all relevant stakeholders;

(h) ensure optimal deployment of human, financial and other resources in the Department;

(i) implement an effective mechanism to acquire donations and other forms of sponsorship to support the University’s pursuits and long-term development; and

(j) undertake other duties as assigned by the Dean of Faculty or the Central Management Team of the University from time to time.

Applicants should have

(a) academic qualifications at the doctoral level in a relevant discipline, evidence of eminent scholarship, substantial relevant experience in a senior academic position, and relevant professional qualifications where appropriate;

(b) attainment of an academic rank of full professor or above at an internationally recognised university;

(c) a distinguished international reputation in research and scholarship, and demonstrated international leadership in one or more domains of the Department’s research strengths;

(d) a strong record in attracting competitive research funding;

(e) a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching;

(f) a global perspective, proven qualities of academic leadership and substantial administration / management experience, as well as demonstrated ability of building up a strong team of faculty members with different research and cultural backgrounds;

(g) effective interpersonal communication and resources management skills, and excellent adaptability to changes and challenges;

(h) good knowledge of the higher educational environment in the local and global context; and

(i) high standard of personal integrity.

Conditions of Service

Terms of appointment and remuneration package are negotiable and highly competitive. For general information on terms and conditions for appointment of academic staff in the University, please visit the website at

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/docdrive/careers/doc/Prof.pdf .

Application and Nomination

The University invites applications and nominations for this appointment.  Please submit an application through PolyU’s career website (https://jobs.polyu.edu.hk/deans_heads ).  Candidature may also be obtained by nominations via email to theChairman of the Search Committee for recruitment of Head of Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies at [email protected]Consideration of applications and nominations will commence on 1 August 2022 until the position is filled.  General information about the University is available at http://www.polyu.edu.hk or from the Human Resources Office [Tel: (852) 2766 5634].  The University’s Personal Information Collection Statement for recruitment can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/hro/careers/guidelines_and_forms/pics_for_recruitment .

PolyU is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, family status or physical or mental disabilities.



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