Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Head of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

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, HKUST (GZ campus) is being developed in Guangzhou, Mainland China, to complement the well-established disciplinary foundation at HKUST (Clearwater Bay campus).  HKUST (GZ campus) has established 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 Department

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) currently has 27 faculty members, of which about half are mainly active in Chemical Engineering and the other half in Biological Engineering.  The faculty members are involved in research activities covering advanced materials, process systems engineering, energy and environment, data science, synthetic biology, biomolecular engineering, and other areas of bioengineering.  The Department offers various academic degrees (three BEng, one MSc, two MPhil and two PhD programs) and teaches about 230 undergraduate students and about 170 postgraduate research students.  With a high-quality academic base supplemented with professional training and relevant experience, our graduates contribute to the technological and socio-economic development of Hong Kong and its region.  

CBE faculty members have been very successful in securing competitive research funding available locally, in the mainland, and overseas.  The Department commits to engaging and excelling in academically challenging research that has a high potential impact on innovative technology.  The Department achieved the highest overall rating of 4-star (world-leading research) category in the recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2020) in the area of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering in Hong Kong.  It visions to be a leading department with significant international impact and strong local commitment.

The Role

Reporting to the Dean of Engineering, the Head of CBE is expected to provide leadership and manage the Department in its diverse academic and administrative functions.

Terms & Applications / Nominations

Concurrent with a professorial appointment, the appointment as Head will typically be for an initial term of 3 years and may be renewable for a second term.  Competitive remuneration and generous fringe benefits, including housing where appropriate, will be provided.  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.

Applications/nominations for the position are invited from well-qualified and accomplished scholars.  In addition to reputable academic qualifications and extensive teaching/research experience, the successful candidate must have demonstrated the capability to provide strong leadership at the tertiary level.  Proven capacity to interact effectively with government, industry, and commercial sectors is advantageous.  

Applications/nominations, with a full curriculum vitae, as well as names and email addresses of three referees, should be sent to the Search Committee Chair for Headship of CBE (email: dhcbe@ust.hk), School of Engineering, HKUST, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.  Review of candidates will start from mid-November 2022 and the search will continue until the position is filled.

For more information about the University, the School of Engineering and the CBE Department, please visit https://hkust.edu.hk/, https://seng.hkust.edu.hk/, and https://cbe.hkust.edu.hk/ respectively.

(Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes only.)

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