Head of Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics

XIAN JIAOTONG LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY (XJTLU), United Kingdom

Updated: 4 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 17 Jul 2023

School: School of Mathematics and Physics

Department: Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics

Position: Head

Location: Suzhou, China

Contract Type: Fixed-term, renewable. 3rd contract is open-ended

ABOUT XJTLU

In 2006 Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) was created by the University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University – a top ten university in China. Offering a unique international education experience, XJTLU brings together excellent research practice and expertise from both institutions and gives students the skills and knowledge they need to secure careers in a global marketplace. XJTLU now has over 25,000 enrolled students in both Suzhou and Liverpool in the UK, with plans to grow to about 28,000 students by 2025. There are currently about 2,000 staff, among which about 1,000 academic staff, with an almost even split between citizens of the People’s Republic of China and international passport holders. XJTLU offers our undergraduates and postgraduates over 100 programmes with a diverse spectrum of courses.

XJTLU is entering a new and exciting phase of its development as part of its strategic priorities for the next ten years. Adopting a new higher education model based on the concept of Syntegrative Education (SE), XJTLU is currently opening a new Entrepreneurial Education site in Taicang, part of wider Suzhou, where the Entrepreneur College (Taicang) is located. The Taicang site will be a pioneer of, and educational model for, the future campus in addressing challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Other new initiatives include new working partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the continued development of the four new Academies, and exploration of further potential locations to develop the SE model.

With a focus on innovative learning and teaching, and research, XJTLU draws on the strengths of its parent universities, and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to China for UK and other institutional partners. At same time, XJTLU is exploring future education by blending the educational theory, best practice and culture from west and east.

For detailed information about the university, please visit www.xjtlu.edu.cn.

ABOUT SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS

Consisting of five departments, including the Department of Foundational Mathematics, the Department of Applied Mathematics, the Department of Pure Mathematics, the Department of Physics, and the Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics, and aiming to develop cutting-edge solutions to challenging problems through world-class research and innovation, the School of Mathematics and Physics is a research-led academic unit. It is the home of 100+ academic staff, 2500+ Undergraduate mathematics students, 200+Master’s students and 60+ Ph.D. students by 2022.

The Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) is a friendly and academic-inspiring hub for researchers, educators, and students in financial mathematics, actuarial science, and statistics. The department is a well-established education centre for financial mathematics and actuarial science at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department has diversified research areas with a focus on financial mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, and probability. The department also provides PhD degree education in these research areas.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Reporting to the dean of the School of Mathematics and Physics, the Head of Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and operations of the department, as well as managing the department's staff and resources. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in financial mathematics, actuarial science, statistics and probability, as well as experience managing teams and developing effective strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

  • To ensure the vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by department members.
  • To lead the departmental strategic planning process to ensure the department is well-resourced. The Departmental Strategy is the fundamental guideline for the operation and development of the department. The University has a system of rolling three-year plans to identify annual operational objectives and resource planning. 
  • To work with the Dean and Deputy Deans for Learning and Teaching of their School to ensure that teaching programmes maximise the market opportunity for presenting their discipline or field of study. 
  • To ensure that the content of modules is kept up to date; and that new advances in teaching technology and academic discussions are accommodated, constantly reflecting on one’s lessons and amending schemes of learning, lesson plans, and teaching/learning materials.
  • To oversee the department's research directions and performance – collectively and individually. 
  • To oversee the development of the Department’s external engagement.  Such outreach activities aim to help the department integrate into the University and appeal to the broader community. Outreach includes areas such as engagement with other departments within the University and external organisations.

    • Administration

  • Be responsible for the organization and administration of the department. 
  • Be responsible to the University for implementing all its academic and operational policies, rules, and regulations. Of particular importance in this regard is the conduct of examinations and marking and moderation regimes; implementation of the staff attendance and absence policy; observance of the staff code of conduct; observance of quality assurance processes and procedures.
  • To chair department meetings focusing on teaching, learning and research, ensuring a detailed agenda and minutes are produced and distributed in a timely manner.
  • To provide regular progress updates to the school management team to ensure they are fully aware of all subject areas' successes, issues and concerns.
  • The HoD is directly responsible within the Department for duties including: 
    • Strategic and annual planning
    • Individual staff work allocation to allow for an appropriate work/life balance  
    • Budget development and expenditure  
    • Financial approvals for expenditure from departmental budget
    • Ensuring quality and standards are upheld
    • Staff appointments; identifying needs, defining the specification and justification, organizing recruitment, overseeing interview panel arrangements, and recommending appointments.
    • Formal staff Professional Development Reviews and processes 
    • Staff disciplinary issues
    • Student disciplinary issues and complaints
    • Assignments of administrative duties to other staff
    • Implementation of staff attendance and absence policy 
    • Leave of absence approvals
    • Dissemination of information regarding the development of the University, especially changes to policy, university regulations, and issues discussed at the Academic 
    • Leadership Group.
    • Maintenance of record of staff authorised and unauthorised absences

    • Ensuring that the requirements of PRC legislation and XJTLU regulation on Health and Safety are all met.

    QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCES

    The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people;
    • A passion for teaching and research, and a commitment to academic excellence;
    • An ability to think strategically and develop and implement plans to achieve goals;
    • A willingness to work collaboratively with other departments and stakeholders within the School and the University.
    • Self-motivated and able to motivate others;
    • Proactive and flexible

    We seek someone with the ambition, creativity and organizational skills to succeed in an exciting environment of continued growth and significant change. Applicants should:

    • A PhD in Financial Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Sciences, or a related field;
    • At least three years of experience in the research and teaching, with a proven track record of academic excellence and leadership;
    • Experience managing and leading a team of faculty and staff;
    • Experience working with industry partners and stakeholders and a commitment to promoting industry engagement and innovation.

    CITIZENSHIP AND VISA REGULATIONS

    Employment at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is regulated by Chinese Labour Laws, and must comply with the regulations of the provincial government. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal employment with regard to obtaining work permits and visas.  Please be advised candidates over 65 may be not eligible for a work visa in the P.R. China.

    CAREER DEVELOPMENT

  • Clear career development path with annual review.
  • Professional development trainings are provided.

    • Research Funding Support

    The university provides every new faculty members with Research Development Fund to encourage them to initiate research projects, and Research Engagement Fund provided to support their continuous research activities.

    The university will also support all faculty members to apply for national, province and city level programs. These programs aim to support excellent scientists, both Chinese and non-Chinese-citizen, to work and carry out research in China.

    Some of the programs are listed in the table below. Successful applications are based on the applicant’s educational background, academic/research field, research achievements, working experience, etc. The university will provide full support on the applications.

    Talent/Research Program / Fund

    • Outstanding Youth Science Foundation Project (Overseas) 
    • Innovation Leading Talent
    • Outstanding  Leading Talent of International Discipline
    • Young Leading Talent of International Discipline

    COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

    SALARY: Competitive salary in the market

    BENEFITS

  • Allowance: XJTLU provide various month/annual/one-off allowances as
    • Housing allowance
    • Travel allowance
    • Kids’ education allowance
    • Relocation allowance
    • Etc.
  • Commercial insurance: international insurance plans customized for XJTLU staff and family members. (details refer to the University Policy)
  • Paid holidays:
    • Statutory Holidays (11 days)
    • Annual Leave (36 days)
    • Family Matters Leave
    • Paid Sick Leave
    • Marriage Leave
    • Paternity Leave
    • Parental Leave
    • Etc.
  • Working visa and residence permit in China: XJTLU sponsors working visa and residence permit in China for the staff.

    • The Head of Department of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics is eligible to receive a duty allowance.

    HOW TO APPLY

    Please submit your application on our university website [HERE ].

    Applications must be submitted in a single pdf file that includes 3 parts in the order of:

    • A cover letter
    • A current CV, including date of birth, country of citizenship, and highest degree level
    • Contact Details for Three References

    For specific enquiries relating to the position, please email the dean of the School, Prof. Fei Ma, at Fei.ma@xjtlu.edu.cn Informal enquiries may be addressed to HR at Zhi.Yang@xjtlu.edu.cn .


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