The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Job Title: Head of the Division of Public Policy
Department: Division of Public Policy
Job ID: 8403

Job Posting Details

The University
Founded in 1991, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a world-renowned international research university dedicated to the advancement of learning and scholarship, with particular emphasis on postgraduate education and close collaboration with the industry, business, and government. It promotes interdisciplinary studies and is dedicated to educating all-rounded students to acquire a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking with a global outlook. While the University is deeply rooted in Hong Kong, the establishment of HKUST (GZ) in Guangzhou, Mainland China, has complemented the well-established disciplinary foundation at the HKUST Clearwater Bay campus. HKUST (GZ) has 4 transdisciplinary hubs and 16 thrust areas to achieve maximum synergy in education and research. With its short history, HKUST has established a strong presence in the global higher education scene, and it has been ranked among the top universities by QS Universities Rankings and the Times Higher Education Supplement. English is the medium of teaching, research, and administration. HKUST is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and has a range of family-friendly policies in place.

The Division
The Division of Public Policy (PPOL) is an interdisciplinary academic unit established in 2017 to help advance HKUST’s vision in developing public policy as a strategic area, by fostering close collaboration across disciplines, with a view to contributing to policy development in key policy areas both locally and globally. Reporting to the Interdisciplinary Programs Office (IPO), a school equivalent unit, the Division envisions to contribute to decision-making in public sector with rigorous and interdisciplinary policy research and education. Its strategic goals include:

- Providing rigorous training in public policy through professional degree programs, research based postgraduate programs, and undergraduate courses
- Producing impactful policy research by fostering collaboration among scholars across disciplines such as science, business, engineering, and social science

The Division comprises nine highly qualified home faculty members as well as expertise of a number of faculty in various academic departments on joint appointment with the Division. PPOL’s research directions include but not limited to the following areas: (1) science, technology, and innovation policy; (2) environment policy and sustainability; and (3) urban and social policy. In addition, the Division complements the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) to support the needs for evidence-based policy research in Hong Kong and the region through knowledge transfer, policy briefs on major research findings, and dialogue with policy-makers, public and private stakeholders on emerging policy issues.

The Role
Reporting to the Director of IPO, the Head is expected to provide leadership and manage the Division in its diverse academic and administrative functions, including but not limited to academic advancement in interdisciplinary teaching and research, faculty recruitment and resource allocation and management. The Head is also expected to devise strategies to promote and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration across departments within HKUST and with private, government and non-government organizations outside HKUST.

The Candidate
Applicants should be well-qualified and accomplished scholars in Public Policy or related disciplines with an outstanding record of teaching and research accomplishments, consistent with an appointment as Full Professor with tenure. Applicants with expertise in other areas will also be considered. In addition, candidates should have proven leadership and managerial capability, experience in leading collaborative research programs and attracting major external research funding, and a broad appreciation of the research and educational opportunities in Public Policy. Proven capacity to interact effectively with government, industry, and commercial sectors is advantageous.

Terms & Applications
The appointment will be concurrent with a substantive professorial appointment. The headship will be a full-time appointment for an initial term of three years, and renewable for another term, subject to further review. HKUST provides competitive remuneration and generous fringe benefits, including housing where appropriate. Outstanding faculty joining the University will be considered for nomination for the Global STEM Professorship Scheme sponsored by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Awardees of the Scheme are offered a highly competitive package to establish their research program in Hong Kong, including setting up first-rate laboratories and recruiting research support personnel.

HKUST is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to our core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and respect.